On 1 October 2014, a Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Army crashed in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of three officers of 39 (Independent) Reconnaissance & Observation Flight: Major Abhijai Thapa, Major Vikas Varyani and Captain Avinash Yeshwant Somvanshi.
The official citation records that Major Abhijai Thapa was the captain of the aircraft during an operational-readiness sortie for Operation Iron Fist. While flying over the populated area of Bhartol village, the helicopter suffered a catastrophic tail-rotor failure. Major Thapa transmitted a distress call, cut the fuel supply and manoeuvred the damaged aircraft away from the inhabited area and the nearby 54 Engineer Regiment lines. The official citation states that he did so despite the danger to himself, in an effort to minimise casualties on the ground.
For his actions, Major Abhijai Thapa was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. Major Vikas Varyani and Captain Avinash Yeshwant Somvanshi were awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry), posthumously. The Government of India records all three officers in its 2015 gallantry-awards announcements.
Eleven years later, their names remain part of the record of service and sacrifice in Indian Army Aviation.
Major Abhijai Thapa — Shaurya Chakra (P)
Major Vikas Varyani — Sena Medal (P)
Captain Avinash Yeshwant Somvanshi — Sena Medal (P)
We remember. We honour. We will not forget. 🇮🇳
Sources: Government of India/PIB gallantry award citations and contemporary reporting by The Indian Express.