Rajesh Thapa

Biography

Flight Lieutenant Rajesh Thapa was raised in Faridabad, studied at St John's School, and attended the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla with the 123rd course. He was commissioned as a pilot on 14 December 2013 after training at the Air Force Academy and qualified as a transport pilot. He served with 43 Squadron at Air Force Station Jorhat, operating AN-32 twin-engine transport aircraft in support of army logistics in the Northeast. On 3 June 2019, the aircraft with 8 crew and 5 passengers took off from Jorhat at 12:27 pm for the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground and lost contact 33 minutes later. The wreckage was found near the Pari hills after a massive rescue operation involving the Indian Army, ITBP, state police and IAF aircraft. He laid down his life in the line of duty at the age of 28.