Parents of Kargil Hero Captain Vijayant Thapar remember their son

Captain Vijayant Thapar (22), made the extreme sacrifice on the battlefield of Kargil. Col (retd) V.N Thapar, his father informs us about the son's last letter.

Dearest Papa, Mama and Granny,

By the time you get this letter, I’ll be observing you all from the sky enjoying the hospitality of the Apsaras. I have no regrets even if I become a human again, I’ll join the Army and fight for my Nation. If you can, please come and see where the Indian Army fought for your tomorrow.

As far as the unit is concerned the new chaps should be told about this sacrifice. I hope my photo will be kept in the ‘A’ Coy Mandir. Whatever organ can be taken should be done. Contribute some money to the orphanage and keep on giving Rs 50/ to Ruksana per month and meet Yogi Baba.

Best of luck to Bindia, never forget this sacrifice of men. Papa, you should feel proud, Mama so should you meet ** (I loved her).

Mamaji forgive me for everything wrong I did. Ok then it's time for me to join my clan of dirty dozen, my assault party has 12 chaps.

Best of luck to you all,
Live life King Size,

Your Robin

In his last letter to his parents, Capt Thapar wrote, “I have no regrets, in fact even if I become a human again I’ll join the army and serve my nation.” It showed his dedication, commitment and love for his country. The brave officer received Vir Chakra (posthumously) for his bravery on the battlefield. A temple was also constructed by the Indian army in 3 pimples knoll at above 16000 feet.

It has been 23 years since the Kargil War. 529 soldiers lost their lives during the Kargil war. The memories of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in this war are still fresh in the hearts of the people. As we observe the Kargil Vijay Diwas, there exists a need to know what happened during the tough fight of 60 days, the struggles and losses, and the stories of extraordinary courage shown by our officers. CitySpidey contacted the parents of Captain Vijyant Thapar who lost his life fighting the Kargil war.

Tripta Thapar, mother of Captain Vijyant Thapar, honoured with Vir Chakra, shares about the life of her son, who was martyred fighting the intruders in Drass, Kargil. He was just 22 when he died killing his enemies and getting his nation free from their clutches at the heights of Knoll and Three Pimples peaks in Drass.

Captain Vijayant Thapar was born on December 29, 1976, at Nangal in Punjab. His father VN Thapar retired as a colonel from the Indian Army. He was named Vijayant after the name of the main battle tank of the Indian army. Captain Thapar passed out of the Indian Military Academy in December 1998. He was commissioned into the 12 Rajputana Rifles. His pet name was Robin.

Tripta Thapar, the Mother of Vijyant Thapar and resident of Noida recalls, “It has been 23 years, but for us, every day is Kargil Diwas for our son laid down his life for his country. A Kargil square has been constructed in sector 29 and sector 27. I hope this will portray to most of the people the sacrifices made by officers like my son."

Tripta Thapar remembers the last phone call from her son. She says, "He called me and said to me that Mumma I will call you back after 20 days, as I have some urgent work. He never mentioned a strike. After 20 days, we did not get the call from him, but got the call from the army headquarters informing us about his martyrdom.”

She continues, "He has left a vacuum in our family, in 22 years, most children are still studying. But he achieved great heights at an early stage. He did so much for his nation."

"We do not want any material things or any benefit, we just want respect. The country must respect the soldiers, the martyrs and their families must be taken care of by the countrymen. The martyrs of this country must get huge respect."

She informs that even after 21 years since Captain Vijayant's demise, Col Thapar visits Knoll, in Kargil every year on the day of Vijayant’s martyrdom to relive his son’s memory.

After his death, Col VN Thapar wrote a book in which he penned down his thoughts about his son 'Vijyant at Kargil: a biography of a war hero'. In this, he writes about his journey from childhood to cremation. Col VN Thapar, says, “It was very difficult. The moment I put the pen on the paper and started writing something about him, some event of his life, I relived the whole thing again and again.”

Col. VN Thapar, recalls how Vijayant got his name – and lived the legacy of its meaning, 'Victory till the end'. He remembers his obsession with body-building and the moment when the family received news of his passing. Says he, "Vijyant was a soft-hearted soul with an armour of fearless determination and love for the nation. At 22, he chose to fight for his country without any thought about himself. Fond of Music as he was, he was always playing tunes from his favourite movie "BORDER" even at the war front."

As gathered by Captain VN Thapar, on June 12, 1999, he led his platoon to capture a Pakistani post called Barbad Bunker. After the victory at Tololing, his battalion was tasked to capture Three Pimples, Knoll in Black Rocks Complex. Captain Vijynat attained martyrdom on May 29.