Doda Terror Attack: "Not Everyone Is Fortunate Enough to Serve the Nation," Say Families of Fallen Soldiers

Captain Thapa, hailing from Bada Ging near Lebong in Darjeeling, enlisted in the army in 2019 after passing the CDS examination.

Colonel Bhuwanesh Thapa, like his father Nar Bahadur Thapa, dedicated 34 years to the Indian Army before retiring in 2014. Continuing the family legacy, his son, Brijesh Thapa, passed the Combined Defence Services examination and enlisted in the army five years later. Upon receiving this news, Colonel Thapa felt immense pride. However, this pride was marred by sorrow on Monday at 10:30 pm, when he learned that Brijesh was among the four soldiers killed in a confrontation with terrorists in Jammu’s Doda.

Captain Thapa, originally from Bada Ging near Lebong in Darjeeling, joined the army in 2019 after completing his BTech and clearing the Combined Defence Services examination. Speaking from his home in Siliguri, Bhuwanesh Thapa expressed both pride and grief, saying, “I feel proud that our son has done something for the nation. But we will miss him for the rest of our lives.”

His mother, Nilima Thapa, remembered their final conversation with Brijesh on Sunday. He spoke about the isolated and difficult conditions of his assignment, which could only be reached by foot. "Brijesh was expected to come home soon, but due to the challenging situation at the front, nothing was certain," she said.

Captain Thapa’s body is expected to arrive at Bagdogra airport on Wednesday, with his funeral planned at Bada Ging.

The tragic news cast a shadow over two villages in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, where the families of 24-year-old Ajay Singh and 26-year-old Bijendra Singh also mourned their losses. Ajay’s family in Bhesawat was informed of his death on Tuesday morning, with his remains due to arrive on Wednesday. Ajay’s father, Kamal Singh, who retired from the army in 2015, and his uncle Kamal Naruka, currently serving in the 23 Rajput regiment in Sikkim, both share a proud military heritage.

Ajay’s younger brother, Ravindra, commented, “Many in our family have served in the armed forces. We woke up as usual in the morning but suddenly found out that Ajay was killed in an encounter with terrorists. The entire village is in mourning. Not everyone has the fortune to serve the nation and sacrifice themselves in service to the nation.”

Another village, Dumoli Kalan Ki Dhandi, was in mourning for Bijendra Singh, who joined the army in 2018 and leaves behind two sons. Bijendra had last visited his village in February. The news of his death was first conveyed to his brother, Dashrath Singh, also in the army and posted in Lucknow. Bijendra’s father, Ramji Lal, expressed his pride and his plea for peace, saying, “Both my sons are in the army to serve the nation. I am proud of my son but urge the government to end terrorism. To lose my son is the biggest loss for my family.”

The fourth soldier killed in the encounter was Dokkari Rajesh from Chetlatandra village in Srikakulam’s Santhabommali mandal in Andhra Pradesh. A villager noted Rajesh’s humble beginnings, sharing, “The family struggled a lot to provide education to Rajesh and his younger brother. He joined the army six years ago. He used a part of his salary to pay the fees of poor students in his village.”

These brave soldiers' sacrifices are a testament to their dedication and the enduring legacy of service within their families.