Captain Brijesh Thapa (27) was among four soldiers killed on Monday in an encounter that broke out after militants hiding in the Desa forests of Doda district opened fire at a security forces party conducting search operations there.
His father Colonel Buwanesh Thapa (retd) said that while the family was grieving, they were also proud of Brijesh. “But I would like to tell the young men (in the Army) there that they should be very careful and alert, and work as a team. They should gather intelligence. So that such big losses are never repeated,” he told The Indian Express via phone from Siliguri. The family, including Colonel Thapa, his wife, daughter, and son Brijesh used to live in their homes in Siliguri and in Darjeeling’s Bara Ging.
The Colonel said he had also served in J&K. “I would ask the government to identify and curtail the support base of militants in Jammu and Kashmir. There are a lot of people who still support militants. They pose a grave threat. I have served Kashmir as well,” he said.
He retired from the Armed Forces in 2014 after 34 years of service, and is currently working as the officer-in-charge of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) office in Lebong, Darjeeling.
Brijesh studied in an Army school in Mumbai and did his BTech from a Mumbai college. He then joined the Army through Short Service Commission.
“His training started in 2018 and he joined in September 2019. He was an intelligent, disciplined and obedient boy. He was happy with what he was given,” he father said.
He said he got a call about his son’s death at around 10.30 pm Monday night.
Brijesh’s mother, Nilima Thapa, recalled that he last called home on Sunday, when he told the family that his party would return to the operational area on Monday. She said he was planning to come home this month, and then again in November.
“He was a nice boy and always wanted to join the Army since childhood. Despite doing BTech, he joined the Army. The last time he was home was in March this year. That was the last time we saw him… We are proud of him and the government will take strict action against them (the militants),” Nilima said. She also recalled that Brijesh loved to play the guitar and drums.
According to Colonel Thapa, the remains of his son are scheduled to arrive in Siliguri Tuesday night, and will be taken to Darjeeling Wednesday. Brijesh’s sister, who is studying music abroad, will arrive home Wednesday morning.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences. “Sad to know that Brijesh Thapa, a young Army officer from Darjeeling, sacrificed his life in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir. My sincere condolences,” the CM said in a post on X.
The BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, said in a post on X, “I join the people of Darjeeling hills, Terai, Dooars and across the nation in paying my deepest respects to Captain Brijesh Thapa and his friends who attained Veergati while defending our motherland from enemies in Kashmir…” He also extended his thoughts and prayers to Brijesh’s family.