Dinesh, eldest of three brothers, was posted to Drass just two months ago. He, however, did not inform his parents about his posting , and instead said that he was posted at Srinagar. A letter he wrote on June 18 to his family gives an insight into his strong bonds with his family members and his faith in God.

Like all god-fearing village youths, he begins the letter with the invocation of Lord Hanuman. The letter is addressed to his younger brother Naresh, whom he thanks for writing a letter. "Keep writing. I do not get time, but will try to write regularly to you," he wrote. He is upset with his mother for getting sentimental and gently reminds her that he not a "little boy" any more. He also talks about the girl fromModasa town he was engaged to. He reassures his mother that he is safe: "Shilpa (his fiancee) has written to me that you were weeping when you visited Modasa. Mother, why are you so worried?" He assures the family that nothing can harm him as long as their love is with him.

Later, he also apologises for any offensive sentence and says, "I have written the letter in anger." The village of Nirmali, comprising about 5,000 families, is in a state of stunned disbelief. Hundreds of people converge onto the house of the deceased's father, Mohanbhai.