The last rites of Bijaya Rai, a British Gurkha soldier who died in an October 15 attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, were performed in Dharan today.

Earlier in the day, a Nepali Army chopper had brought the soldier’s body to Biratnagar from the Tribhuvan International Airport. The last rites of the soldier, who hails from Hasposa, Sunsari, were carried out in Dharan after commoners and kin paid their last respect to him at Hansposa. Bijaya’s family had gone to the UK to bring his body home. 

According to Major Hitman Gurung of the British Gurkha Nepal, the government of the United Kingdom has honoured the 22year-old British Gurkha with a posthumous Elizabeth Cross.

“This honour has boosted the morale of all British Gurkhas,” he said, adding that Bijaya’s family will soon get compensation from the British government.

Published on: 10 November 2011 | The Himalayan Times