Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa VrC

Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa was born on 24 August 1957 in School Gaon village, located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. He was the son of Shri C M Thapa and was brought up in a region celebrated for its rugged terrain, resilient people, and a proud martial heritage. The hills of Darjeeling have long shared a deep and enduring association with the Gorkha regiments, and military service has traditionally been regarded as an honourable calling in the local community. From an early age, he was shaped by an environment that emphasised discipline, courage, and selfless service. Stories of bravery, regimental pride, and supreme sacrifice were an integral part of everyday life in his surroundings. Growing up amidst veterans, serving soldiers, and families closely linked to the armed forces, he naturally imbibed the values of loyalty, resilience, and an unwavering sense of duty. These influences played a decisive role in moulding his character and strengthening his resolve to serve the nation in uniform. Motivated by this proud legacy and driven by a deep sense of responsibility towards his people and his country, he chose the path of a soldier at a young age. His aspiration to join the Army was not merely a career choice, but a conscious commitment inspired by the examples of valour and sacrifice that surrounded him during his formative years in the hills of eastern India.

On 10 September 1977, he was recruited into the 3/4 Gorkha Rifles Battalion of the 4 Gorkha Rifles, one of the Indian Army’s most distinguished and battle-honoured infantry regiments. Renowned for its fearless soldiers, indomitable fighting spirit, and an illustrious record of gallantry across numerous campaigns, the regiment provided the ideal environment for a young soldier of his determination and strength of character. Through rigorous training and active service, Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa quickly absorbed the regiment’s core values of honour, bravery, discipline, and absolute loyalty to duty. He earned the respect of his seniors and comrades alike through his professionalism, quiet resolve, and readiness to shoulder responsibility. These qualities, carefully forged over years of service, later came to the fore in combat, where he upheld the finest traditions of the Gorkha Rifles and the Indian Army, ultimately laying down his life in the line of duty.

Operation Meghdoot: 23-25 Sep 1987

During 1987, Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa's unit, 3/4 Gorkha Rifles, was serving in his unit deployed on the Siachen Glacier under Operation Meghdoot and was inducted into a forward post in the Bilafondla area, one of the most inhospitable and strategically sensitive regions of the Siachen Glacier. Operating at extreme altitudes, the troops endured sub-zero temperatures, thin air, and relentless glacial winds, conditions that tested human endurance to its limits even in the absence of enemy action. On 23 September 1987, Lance Naik Thapa was performing sentry duty at an observation post. Despite the biting cold and poor visibility caused by the harsh weather, he maintained a high level of alertness. During his vigil, he detected suspicious movement in front of the post. Realising the seriousness of the situation, he immediately informed his platoon commander. Acting on this timely warning, the commander alerted the troops and prepared the defences. When the adversary launched its attack, the post was ready. As a result of this early detection and swift response, the enemy assault was repulsed successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.

Undeterred by the setback, the enemy launched two more determined attacks on the same night. Lance Naik Thapa, alongside his platoon commander and comrades, fought with resolute determination. Displaying courage and steadfastness under sustained pressure, they once again beat back the assaults, preventing the enemy from gaining any ground. On the night of 24/25 September 1987, the adversary mounted yet another attack, this time in overwhelming numbers, against a neighbouring post. Recognising the gravity of the situation, Lance Naik Thapa and a small group of soldiers were ordered to move forward and reinforce the threatened position. As the reinforcement party advanced across exposed terrain under enemy observation, they came under intense and accurate fire from an enemy medium machine gun detachment. The sudden volume of fire pinned the group down, making further movement extremely hazardous. At this critical moment, when most would instinctively seek cover, Lance Naik Thapa displayed extraordinary bravery. With complete disregard for his personal safety and driven by a sense of duty to his comrades and the mission, he charged straight at the enemy’s medium machine gun position. His bold action was intended to silence the gun and allow his fellow soldiers to advance and secure the post. While closing in on the enemy, he was struck by a burst of fire to his chest. Gravely wounded, he succumbed to his injuries on the battlefield. Through his actions, Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa demonstrated conspicuous gallantry, exceptional alertness, and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy. He laid down his life at the age of 30 years, fighting courageously under the most demanding conditions, upholding the finest traditions of the Indian Army and the Gorkha Rifles. His supreme sacrifice and fearless conduct were rightly honoured with the award of the "Vir Chakra", India’s third-highest gallantry decoration.

Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa is survived by his wife, Smt Usha Thapa.

The citation for the "Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads : 

Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa of 3/4 Gorkha Rifles was inducted into a post in the Bilafondla Complex in the Siachen Glacier area. On 23 September 1987, he was on duty on an observation post. During his vigil in the face of sub-zero temperatures and the fierce glacial winds, he detected some movement in front of the post and immediately informed his platoon commander, who alerted his troops. The adversary's attack on the post was repulsed with heavy casualties due to the timely warning. On the same night, the enemy launched two more determined attacks. Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa and his commander put up a gallant fight and beat back the attack. Again, on the night of 24/25 September 1987, the adversary launched another attack in overwhelming numbers on a neighbouring post.

Lance Naik Thapa and a few others were ordered to reinforce the post. As the party was progressing towards the neighbouring post overran exposed terrain, they were pinned down by effective fire from the enemy's medium machine gun detachment. When others were searching for cover, this gallant soldier, with utter disregard for his own safety, charged on the enemy's medium machine gun detachment. Enroute, he got a burst on his chest and succumbed to his injuries.

Lance Naik Hira Bahadur Thapa displayed conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy and died fighting.