Dehradun Loses Another Brave Son: Lieutenant Colonel Prabhakar Thapa Dies While on Duty in Leh; Cremated with Full Military Honours
A wave of grief sweeps Uttarakhand as a decorated Gorkha Rifles officer leaves behind his wife and nine-year-old daughter
By Sunil Negi
Dehradun, November 12: Uttarakhand has lost another brave son in the service of the nation. Lieutenant Colonel Prabhakar Thapa, a resident of the Nagnath area of Dehradun and an officer of the Indian Army’s prestigious 5/3 Gorkha Rifles, breathed his last while performing his duties in Leh on November 9, 2026, at approximately 7:15 PM.
His untimely demise has plunged his family, the military fraternity and the entire Gorkha community into deep mourning.
The mortal remains of the officer were brought to Dehradun, where he was accorded a solemn farewell with full military honours at Tapkeshwar on Thursday, November 12. The sight of his coffin draped in the Tricolour and covered with floral tributes reflected the nation’s gratitude towards a soldier who devoted nearly two decades of his life to the service of the country.
A family steeped in military tradition
Born in 1984, Lieutenant Colonel Thapa came from a family with a strong military background. His father, Nirmal Thapa, had served in the Indian Army as a Havildar before retiring.
Inspired by his father’s military service, Prabhakar pursued his dream of becoming an Army officer. He completed his schooling at Dehradun’s prestigious Cambrian Hall School, where he belonged to the 2002 batch.
After graduation, he cleared the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination and was commissioned into the Third Gorkha Rifles on December 9, 2006.
During his nearly 20-year military career, he served in several challenging and sensitive locations.
At the time of his death, he was serving with the 5/3 Gorkha Rifles and was reportedly attached as an Assistant Adjutant General (AAG) to a Special Forces uniform unit in Leh.
A young family left behind
The tragedy has left behind a particularly heartbreaking void in the family. Lieutenant Colonel Thapa is survived by his wife and a nine-year-old daughter.
The emotional scenes surrounding his final farewell at Tapkeshwar brought home the immense personal cost borne by military families while their loved ones serve the nation in difficult and often inhospitable conditions.
Uttarakhand, which has traditionally contributed a large number of soldiers to the Indian armed forces, shares the grief of the bereaved family.
The supreme commitment of Lieutenant Colonel Prabhakar Thapa to the nation will remain an enduring source of inspiration.
A solemn salute to the brave officer.
Jai Hind! Jai Gorkha!
