• 'He won’t return to us, will salute his coffin': Parents of Captain Brijesh Thapa who died in Doda encounter

    National
    'He won’t return to us, will salute his coffin': Parents of Captain Brijesh Thapa who died in Doda encounter
    "He will not return to us. We received the news at 11 pm. He was a very good boy who always aspired to serve in the Army," Captain Thapa's mother said. 

    Digital Desk: "I am filled with pride for my son. He performed exceptionally well in a dangerous operation and approached it with utmost dedication," said Colonel Bhuwanesh K Thapa (Retd), father of the late Captain Brijesh Thapa, who lost his life fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda.

    Captain Thapa was one of the four Army personnel who succumbed to injuries sustained during a gunfight with heavily armed terrorists on Monday evening. Alongside Thapa, the fallen soldiers were identified as Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay.

    Brijesh was a third-generation Army officer in the family and wanted to join the Indian Army since childhood, said father Colonel Bhuwanesh K Thapa (Retd), adding, "He spoke to the family over the phone on July 14. He was a qualified engineer, but opted to join the Army. He was 27 years old and joined the Army five years back.”

    Expressing his sentiments on the loss, the retired Army officer remarked to PTI, "I am proud of my son. Military operations always involve risk."

    Captain Thapa's mortal remains are expected to arrive in his hometown of Darjeeling on Wednesday. Colonel Thapa conveyed, "When his body arrives, I will pay homage to him as a soldier."

    "I was in disbelief when I heard the news of his passing. He visited home briefly in March for just 15 days. Though I am saddened, I am proud that he sacrificed his life for India. Tomorrow, when his body arrives, I will pay my respects to him as a soldier," the father shared with News18.

    Reflecting on the sacrifice, he told ANI, "The only sorrow is that we won't see him again. However, I am happy that he sacrificed his life for his country."

    Meanwhile, Captain Thapa's mother, Nilima Thapa, expressed her pride in her son's sacrifice. "He will not return to us. We received the news at 11 pm. He was a very good boy who always aspired to serve in the Army. Despite our warnings about the challenges of Army life, I am immensely proud of my son who sacrificed himself for the nation," she told ANI.

    The mortal remains of Captain Brijesh Thapa will be taken to his ancestral home in Lebong after a wreath-laying ceremony in Bagdogra on Wednesday morning, according to his mother.

    She also mentioned that he was serving with the 145 Air Defence Regiment of the Army and was on deputation to 10 Rashtriya Rifles.