Service No: 5042033F
Date of Birth: Mar 21, 1961
Place of Birth: Puran Goan, Nepal
Service: Army
Rank : Rifleman
Unit : 5/1 GR
Arm/Regt : 14 Gorkha Training Centre
Operation: Op Pawan
Award: Vir Chakra
Date of Martyrdom : Nov 09, 1987
Rfn Siri Bahadur Thapa VrC
Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa was born on 21st March 1961 in Village Puran Goan Village in Parvat district of Nepal. He was the son of Shri BB Thapa. Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa was commissioned into the 5/1 Gorkha Rifles on 8th January 1979.
Sri Lankan Operations : Op Pawan- 1987
The IPKF launched its first operation on 9 October 1987 after formulating a multi-pronged strategy to take on LTTE. Code-named Operation Op Pawan, it was expected to neutralize LTTE operational capability in and around Jaffna. This included the capture or neutralization of the LTTE’s chain of command, which was expected to leave the rebel movement directionless in the face of the impending assault on the LTTE strongholds by the IPKF. Ultimately, after two weeks of bitter fighting the IPKF wrested control of Jaffna and other major cities from the LTTE, but operations continued for the capture of Jaffna Fort.
During 1987, Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa of 5/1 Gorkha Rifles was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). On 9th of November 1987, while the company was advancing from Chutumalai to Annaikoddai junction, it was pinned down 400 yards short of the Annaikoddai junction by the militants automatic and accurate fire from three directions. Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa, realizing the gravity of the situation, without caring for his own safety, in a daring act of courage charged at the militants with heavy machine gun. The militants taken aback by the daredevilry panicked and fired indiscriminately before abandoning their positions. Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa fell down wounded by a burst from the heavy machine gun. Undeterred and bleeding profusely, he crawled forward for about 50 years and lobbed a grenade on the militants position and neutralized it before he succumbed to his injuries.
Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa was awarded “Vir Chakra”, for his exceptional courage, determination and supreme sacrifice.
Citation for the Vir chakra Awarded to him reads:-
Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa of 5/1 Gorkha Rifles was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). On the 9th November , 1987, while the company was advancing from Chutumalai to Annaikoddai junction, it was pinned down 400 yards short of the Annaikoddai junction by the militants automatic and accurate fire from three directions. Rifleman Siri Bahadur Thapa, realising the gravity of the situation, rushed at the militants, heavy machine gun position from a flank but fell down wounded by a burst from the heavy machine gun. Undeterred and bleeding profusely, he crawled forward for about 50 years and lobbed a grenade on the militants position and neutralised it before he succumbed to his injuries.
Lance Naik Mohinder Singh, thus, displayed conspicuous courage and valour in the face of the militants.
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Source
- http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/siri-bahadur-thapa
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