3 days ago
"Come See Where We Fought": He Honours His Son, A Kargil War Hero, Every Year
Colonel Virender Thapar (Retired) visits the Dras War Memorial in Ladakh every year in May-June to honour his son, Captain Vijayant Thapar, who was killed in action in the 1999 Kargil conflict. Capt Thapar was conferred with Vir Chakra (Posthumously), India's third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his valour.
Mr Thapar is fulfilling something his son asked of him in his last letter, written shortly before he was killed on the Knoll Peak in Drass. Vijayant, who was 22 at that time, wrote the letter and asked it to be handed over to his family in case he failed to return.
"If you can, please come and see where the Indian army fought for your tomorrow," he wrote in it.
It's been 26 years since Mr Thapar has been honouring his son. A 2017 photo in which he is accompanied by several Army officials is going viral on social media, with the caption saying, "A father's pilgrimage to a small temple for his son who fell fighting @22 during Kargil war."
a father's pilgrimage to a small temple for his son who fell fight ing @22 during Kargil war.
— virender thapar (@Thapar77Thapar) August 3, 2017
Responding to his own tweet a year later, Mr Thapar said: "Shall go on my annual pilgrimage to Drass to pay homage to those who fought and fell in the Battles of Tololing and Knoll Three Pimples 19 years ago. All heroes of the country, including a 22-year-old Capt. Vijayant Thapar, officers, JCOs, men of 2 Rajputana Rifles. We remember."
Shall go on my annual pilgrimage to Drass to pay homage to those who fought and fell in the Battles of Tololing and Knoll Three Pimples 19 years heros of the country including 22 year old Capt Vijyant Thapar officers Jcos men of 2 Rajputana remember
— virender thapar (@Thapar77Thapar) May 29, 2018
This year, Mr Thapar wrote that the small temple was built exactly where his son had his final gunfight with Pakistani soldiers. "Close by were 3 martyred Pakistani soldiers. Proud he acquitted himself so well. With a pacemaker you can't go to this mandir any longer; hence, love to see this picture," he added.
This is a very touching post. A small temple built at the very place where Robin had his last gun fight with the by were 3 martyred Pak he acquitted himself so well With a pacemaker can't go to this mandir any longer hence love to see this picture.
— virender thapar (@Thapar77Thapar) May 28, 2025
The heartwarming post quickly grabbed the attention of various social media users.
One person wrote, "Sir the temple may be small in size, but it's HUGE in significance and reverence for what it represents."
Sir the temple maybe small in size but it's HUGE in significance and reverence for what it represents.
— Rohit Agarwal ???????? (@ragarwal) August 4, 2017
Another wrote, "Salute to the Braveheart and also a Salute to his brave parents. Thank you Sir for giving a Gem like him to the country. JAIHIND."
Salute to the Brave heart and also a Salute to his brave Sir for giving a Gem like him to the
— Rajive Sood ???????? (@SoodRajive) August 3, 2017
"Sir, no words to express your courage & nationalism. I salute you & your son. Can / will never forget the sacrifices made by your family," commented another.
Sir, no words to express your courage & nationalism.
I salute you & ur son. Can / will never forget the sacrifices made by your family.
— pawan kalwani (@pawankalwani) August 3, 2017
In his letter, Captain Vijayant Thapar expressed another heartfelt wish - that if he were to be reborn, he would still join the army and fight for the nation. He also requested that his parents continue contributing some money to an orphanage and keep giving Rs 50 to Ruksana per month, a young girl he met during his posting.
