This Father Visits Drass Every Year To Keep A Promise Made To His Fallen Son In Kargil

News18

29-05-2025

Last Updated:
In his final letter, Lt. Vijyant Thapar asked his father to visit the place where he and his comrades had bravely stood their ground and laid down their lives.
Every year, during the months of May and June, a man travels from Delhi to Drass in Kargil to keep a promise he made to his son years ago. The story of Colonel Virender Thapar's journey to Kargil is one of love, pride, and a remarkable father-son bond.
Between May and July of 1999, India fought the Kargil War against terrorists who had infiltrated Indian territory and occupied strategic peaks. Indian soldiers fought bravely to regain control of the area.
As many as 527 Indian soldiers were martyred in the war, including 22-year-old Lieutenant Vijyant Thapar, the son of Colonel Virender Thapar.
In his final letter, Lt. Vijyant Thapar asked his father to visit the place where he and his comrades had bravely stood their ground and laid down their lives.
Honoring that promise, Colonel Thapar visits Drass every year to pay tribute to his son's courage and sacrifice.
a father's pilgrimage to a small temple for his son who fell fight ing @22 during Kargil war. pic.twitter.com/UHMIPbOF8m — virender thapar (@Thapar77Thapar) August 3, 2017
According to a report by The Telegraph, Captain Thapar also requested his parents to donate to an orphanage and to continue giving Rs 50 regularly to a young girl named Ruksana.
Meanwhile, a picture of Col. Virender Thapar standing at IGI Airport has also gone viral on social media.
Several netizens have reacted to the post, calling it a touching gesture.
'Touching. Warm hug to the father," one user wrote on X.
Another commented, 'The Armed Forces of this country were venerable once. Stories like these… are a testament to the character of the men who truly served to protect us."
First Published:
May 29, 2025, 23:25 IST