Captain Kapil Singh Thapa of 3 Jat was among the officers who displayed exceptional courage during the Battle of Dograi in the Indo-Pak War of 1965. Born on 2 November 1937 at Panditwari in Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Jat Regiment on 30 June 1963.
On the night of 21 September 1965, 3 Jat launched its attack on Dograi. Captain Thapa was given the task of capturing the north-western edge of Dograi village, an objective defended by Pakistani troops and protected by intense fire.
Captain Thapa personally led his men through a minefield towards the enemy position. As the assault reached the defensive bunkers, fierce close-quarter fighting followed. He engaged the enemy with grenades and bayonets and continued to lead his men despite the heavy resistance.
His platoon succeeded in reaching and capturing the assigned objective, but Captain Thapa made the supreme sacrifice during the encounter. His leadership and determination under intense enemy fire became a defining part of the 3 Jat assault at Dograi.
For his conspicuous gallantry, determination and leadership during the battle, Captain Kapil Singh Thapa was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.
On 21 September 1965, The Honour Post pays tribute to Captain Kapil Singh Thapa for his courage, service and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
Captain Kapil Singh Thapa remains remembered for leading from the front at Dograi, where he placed himself alongside his men in the assault and fought through some of the fiercest close-quarter combat of the battle. His sacrifice and leadership earned him one of India's highest wartime gallantry awards.
