One newspaper had reported that "V K Kalia", along with six soldiers was on routine summer patrol duty on May 5 when he detected militants in the Kaksar area of Kargil for the first time. All of them have been reported missing since then. Pakistan Skardu radio, however, has reported that they were captured.

Then, a news item carried by another English-language daily specifically mentioned Saurabh Kalia as the leader of the patrol party in Kaksar area. The jawans who accompanied Kalia reported that the young officer was seen hit by bullets and his whereabouts were not known.

When Saurabh's father N K Kalia was contacted at Tika Sughar near here, he said there had been no intimation of any sort from the Armyheadquarters. He also showed a letter written to him by Saurabh on May 10 whereas the newspapers reports have mentioned May 5 as the date of action.

Saurabh's parents have contacted the Army headquarters here at Hota and are also trying to get in touch with Saurabh's regiment to find out what exactly has happened to their son.

Meanwhile, former chief minister Shanta Kumar on Tuesday faxed a message to Union Defence Minister George Fernandes, urging him to take personal interest in finding out the whereabouts of Lt Saurabh Kalia. The uncertainty regarding the fate of the 22-year-old Lieutenant must end and his parents must be told the truth since the contradictory reports have only added to their misery, he added.