"It's a great loss, but he has gone in style... we all draw big inspiration from him. This is the way to go for a soldier, this is the way to lead - from the front," said Colonel SS Shekhawat as he remembered Colonel Santosh Mahadik, his fellow officer, who was killed in the line of duty in Kashmir. Colonel Sumeet Dua, who knew Colonel Mahadik from their days at the IMA said, "I think he was the most prepared officer to have come to the Academy (IMA). He was physically the fittest... had a penchant for helping not only his peers but also his subordinates...he has been a winner, he has been masterclass."