Decorated Kargil war veteran among deceased
Srinagar, Sep 29: Tsewang Tharchin, a decorated Kargil War veteran and former soldier of the Ladakh Scouts, was shot dead during police firing on protesters in Leh last week.
The 46-year-old, who had served the Army for over two decades, was killed when security forces opened fire on demonstrators demanding statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Tharchin according to family was reportedly shot in the back, sparking outrage across Ladakh and adding a poignant layer to the growing unrest.
A resident of Saboo ,Tharchin had retired as a Havildar in 2017 and was running a garment shop. His family — including his wife and four children — is now struggling to comprehend the tragedy. At their hilltop home, mourners gather around his embalmed body as Buddhist prayers echo through the rooms.
“He fought the enemy in Kargil, survived Siachen, but was killed by our own police. Pakistan couldn’t take his life, but our own did,” his father, Stanzin Namgyal, in late 70’s himself a retired Subedar Major and Kargil veteran said . “We fought shoulder to shoulder in the Kargil war. This is a betrayal.”
While the administration, including LG Kavinder Gupta, has expressed condolences and promised measures to avoid further casualties, the family says words are not enough. Calling the incident “murder”, Tharchin’s wife has demanded a full investigation. “Why was tear gas or rubber bullets not used? Who gave the orders to shoot? We want answers,” she said. The family also alleges Tharchin was assaulted before being shot, pointing to baton injuries on his body.
Relatives remember Tharchin as a calm, community-minded man, respected in both his native village Skur Buchan and Saboo. “He inspired many young men to join the Army. He was a weapons instructor. He served four times in Siachen. He was a hero,” the family recalled. “In every war, we Ladakhis have supported the Army — as soldiers, guides, porters, cooks. Now, for asking for our rights, we are being labelled anti-national and shot at,” his brother an engineer said.
