Remembering Martyr Captain Kapil Singh Thapa on his Martyrdom Day, Hero of 1965 India-Pakistan War
He was 27 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
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Today, India remembers and pays tribute to Martyr Captain Kapil Singh Thapa, Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), on his 61st martyrdom day. Captain Thapa laid down his life on 21 September 1965 while leading his men in a fierce assault during the Battle of Dograi in the 1965 India-Pakistan War.
Captain Kapil Singh Thapa was born on 2 November 1937 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He was the son of Army veteran Subedar Major DS Thapa and had developed an interest in joining the armed forces from a young age.
After completing his schooling, he was selected to join the Indian Army. He was commissioned as an officer on 30 June 1963 at the age of 25 and was posted to the 3 Jat Battalion of the Jat Regiment, an infantry unit.
Battle of Dograi : 21 September 1965
During the 1965 India-Pakistan War, 3 Jat was deployed in the Punjab sector. After Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam with the aim of capturing Akhnoor in Jammu Kashmir, the Indian Army shifted the focus of the war towards Pakistan’s Punjab sector to force Pakistan to move troops from Akhnoor.
Under Lt Col Desmond Hayde, 3 Jat was the first Indian Army unit to cross the international border on 6 September 1965 and captured Dograi in a surprise attack. However, due to lack of follow-on support and air cover, the unit withdrew to Santpura. After waiting for 15 days, 3 Jat launched a second attack on Dograi on the night of 21/22 September. Capt Kapil Singh Thapa was tasked to capture the northwestern edge of Dograi village.
Leading from the front, Captain Thapa and his men launched a determined attack on the enemy positions. He personally led his troops through a minefield and assaulted the heavily defended positions with grenades and bayonets.
Despite strong resistance and heavy firing, Captain Thapa and his men succeeded in capturing their objectives. However, Captain Thapa was seriously wounded during the battle and later succumbed to his injuries.
He was 27 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
For his exceptional courage, outstanding leadership and supreme sacrifice, Captain Kapil Singh Thapa was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest wartime gallantry award.