BJP MP and Former Foreign Secretary Honor Fallen Soldiers in Doda Encounter

BJP MP Raju Bista and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday honored Captain Brijesh Thapa, who lost his life in the Doda encounter. The tribute was paid at Bengdubi Military Station in Siliguri, Darjeeling.

Four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Tuesday. The face-off between security forces and terrorists erupted in the Desa Forest area in Doda on Monday evening. The fallen soldiers were identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay.

Speaking to ANI, Bista said, "On behalf of the countrymen, I pay tribute to the brave martyr Brijesh Thapa. This is a very sad incident. At the age of just 27, he has made the supreme sacrifice. I want to tell his parents that 140 crore countrymen are their family." He emphasized the historical contributions of Darjeeling's youth to the nation, stating, "Such incidents make you disturbed and sad. I also want to say to Pakistan, 'baap baap hota hai aur beta beta hota hai, aur Hindustan baap hai.'"

Meanwhile, Shringla remarked, "It is a very sad incident that our youth from Darjeeling, who belongs to the Gorkha community, has lost his life in the service of the country." He pledged support from the Darjeeling Welfare Society, of which he is the president, and hinted at establishing a scholarship in Thapa's name.

Highlighting the contribution of the Gorkha community, Shringla added, "The contribution of Gorkha community has been very significant for our country, for the service of our country, and especially in the military. There is a lot of anger in our country that such incidents are taking place, and I think we must give a befitting reply to this. We cannot tolerate this."

(With inputs from agencies.)