Family members of Captain Brijesh Thapa, who was killed in a gunfight with militants in Doda on Monday night, on Tuesday asked when the government will act against militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Militant attacks are happening every day. What will the government do about the loss of lives?” asked Yogesh Thapa, uncle of the martyred soldier. "Daily we are hearing of shaheeds [martyrs]. How and when will the government act?"

Captain Brijesh Thapa along with three others were killed in a gunbattle with militants in a forest in Doda, the third such incident in recent weeks.

Between 2005 and 2021, the Jammu region had remained mostly peaceful. Since January this, year 12 security personnel, including Captain Thapa, and 10 civilians have been killed in militant attacks in the Jammu region, especially around the border districts.

In Indian Army operations, five terrorists have been killed and 55 people injured.

“He gave his life for his country and we feel proud. But it cannot be the end. The government will have to take action. It cannot be that the government will remain silent,” said Neelima Thapa, mother of Captain Thapa.

The slain army captain’s father, Bhuvnesh Thapa, had retired as a colonel and lives in the family home in Darjeeling.

“He always wanted to join the army, having seen his father,” said the grief-stricken mother. “We told him army life is tough and suggested he join the navy. But he joined the army.”

Captain Thapa was commissioned in 2019 and was with the 10 Rashtriya Rifles.

During his student days in Army School, Thapa had picked up the guitar and was fond of music. He had been to his home this February and returned to his post on March 1.

“Sad to know that Brijesh Thapa, a young Army officer from Darjeeling sacrificed his life in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir. My sincere condolences,” Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee posted on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

The outpouring of grief and tributes from the government and the opposition meant little to the family.

“Everyone says he died for the country. But the loss that we have suffered will never be fulfilled,” said Captain Thapa’s uncle from Siliguri.

Captain Thapa along with Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay were killed in gunbattle with militants belonging to the “Kashmir Tigers”, a shadow group of the Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

According to the information received so far, the 10 Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police had late on Monday night launched a joint cordon and search operation at Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest belt, around 55 km from Doda town. After a brief exchange of fire, the militants tried to flee but the four soldiers led by Captain Thapa chased them deep into the forest. Four soldiers and a member of the J&K police were also injured.

Captain Thapa and the three soldiers succumbed to their injuries later.

In the past three weeks this was the third major encounter in the Doda forests. A week ago, terrorists had ambushed an army patrol in the Machedi forest in Kathua district, killing five soldiers and injuring five others.

Yogesh Thapa said they were waiting for the body to arrive in Siliguri and then they would head to Darjeeling where Captain Thapa’s parents live.

“We expect the body to arrive on Wednesday,” said the uncle.