Shimla, July 9
In a solemn ceremony today, the native village of Taranda in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh witnessed the return and final farewell of a local hero, martyred Havildar Arun Thapa, who had been missing for nine months in the treacherous snow of the Indo-China lofty mountains. Havildar Thapa, a brave soldier of the esteemed Garhwal Rifles, was accorded state honors as his village came together to pay their respects.
Havildar Thapa, aged 28, was part of a high-altitude reconnaissance mission along the Indo-China border when a devastating avalanche struck in the first week of October last year. Despite the rigorous training and preparedness of the unit, the sudden and immense force of nature proved overwhelming. In the immediate aftermath, rescue teams managed to recover the body of one fellow soldier, but the rest of Thapa’s team, including him, were lost under the snow.
Months of relentless search operations by the Indian Army yielded a breakthrough four days ago when Thapa’s body was finally discovered. From Kargil to Leh and then to Chandigarh, the journey of bringing him back home was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers guarding the nation’s borders.
On the evening of July 8, Thapa’s body was transported from Chandigarh to Taranda in Kinnaur. Early the next morning, a convoy brought him to his native village. As the vehicle approached the entrance gate of Taranda, hundreds of villagers had already gathered, chanting slogans of “Arun Thapa Amar Rahe,” “Jab Tak Suraj Chand Rahega, Arun Thapa’s Naam Rahega,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
In the presence of the Commander of the Garhwal Rifles, who saluted their fallen comrade, and representatives from the local administration including Tehsildar Ramesh Sharma, the entire village of Taranda stood united in grief and pride. The local police also joined in to honor the sacrifice of their beloved son.
Havildar Thapa’s father, retired Subedar Major Bhim Thapa, spoke of his son’s dedication and love for the nation. “Arun always dreamt of serving the country and protecting its sovereignty. He has fulfilled his duty, and now it is our duty to honor his sacrifice.”
At the cremation ground, amid the somber tunes of the bugle and the chants of the villagers, Havildar Thapa was laid to rest with full state honors. The emotional farewell, marked by the ceremonial gun salute, reflected the immense respect and admiration the community held for him.
As the flames rose, the people of Taranda made a silent vow to remember and honor the courage and sacrifice of Havildar Arun Thapa, ensuring that his legacy would live on in the hearts of all who knew of his bravery.
