New Delhi:- Born on 26 December 1976 in the military family of Colonel VN Thapar to Tripta (Mrs) Thapar, Captain Vijayant was brought up in an army family. Capt Vijayant always wanted to be an officer like his father. As a child, he used to play with a pistol and march around with his father's peak cap and cane. He followed his father's footsteps and worked hard for his selection in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Deherun. He passed his training with flying colors and was commissioned in the Indian Army's logistic branch.

Captain Vijayant's first tour of duty was in 1998 in Gwalior, where he served for a month. After that, he was posted in Kashmir to fight against the rebels. Captain Vijayant always loved to go out in the evening and watch wrestling, boxers and other sports. He was very kind, thoughtful and economical. He started believing in religion early and wanted to lead a Puritan life. He kept a healthy diet and worked out in the gym to stay fit.

In the year 1999, Captain Vijayant had two close encounters. Speaking to his mother over the phone, he said, “I had a very close encounter in which I was hit by about thirty bullets.” Later, his unit was posted in Drass, Kargil Sector, to carry out operations against the Pakistani forces who had taken over the Tololing and Tiger Hill and the surrounding heights.                                                                   

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The battle for the feature of Tololing began on June 11, 1999, when Capt Vijayant's battalion led by Col M.B., Ravindernath was tasked to take the feature. The initial assault by Maj. Mohit Saxena got bogged down, and on the night of June 12, 1999, Captain Vijayant led his platoon to take a Pakistani position known as Barbad Bunker, which turned out to be the turning point of the battle for the feature. During the attack, 2 Pakistani soldiers died in the firing from the sides and behind. The battle for Tololing was India's first victory on June 13, 1999.

Later on June 28, 2RIF was tasked with capturing the area of 3PIMES, KNLL and LONE HILL. The attack began with Captain Vijayant's (RIF) platoon leading the way on the full moon night on a very sharp ridge with almost no cover. There was heavy and accurate shelling and enemy fire. Some of his men were killed and some were injured and the attack was bogged down. But because of his courage and determination, he and his troops moved forward through a deep ravine to confront the enemy. The enemy had all advantages on this full moon night. The 6NIL's (6 Northern Light Infantry)

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The attack began at 20:00 when 120 guns opened fire and rockets lit up the sky. In this difficult exchange of fire, 2 Raja Rif led by Captain Vijayant Thapar took the lead. Among the first to fall in that battle was Captain Vijayanth Sep's much-loved steward Jagmal Singh. Finally, Captain Vijayanth's party gained a foothold on the Tube.

By then his company commander Major P Acharya had died. Enraged at this news, Captain Vijayant rushed forward along with his comrade Naik Tilak Singh. Both  started fighting the enemy only 15 meters away. Three enemy machine guns fired at them. After about an hour and a half of intense exchange of fire, Captain Vijayant realized that the enemy machine guns had to be silenced in order to  advance towards their objective.

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The Ridge behind the Knoll was very narrow and sharp and only 2-3 soldiers could walk side by side. The danger of dying here was very real and therefore Captain Vijayant himself decided to go  with Naik Tilak Singh. Captain Vijayant bravely rushed to do so but was hit on the head by the fire. He fell into the arms of his comrade Naik Tilak Singh. Captain Vijayant was martyred, but spurred on by his bravery and leadership, his soldiers eventually attacked the enemy and  captured the Knoll completely.

The victory at the Knoll on  June 29, 1999 is a saga of unparalleled courage, grit and determination. Captain Vijayant Thapar was awarded the 'Vir Chakra' for his gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.

His parents are Colonel VN Thapar (Retd), his mother, Mrs. Tripta thapar, and his brother, Shri Vijendra Thapar.

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Great Captain Vijayant Thapar one of the brave Soldiers in 90’s and also honoured with the ‘Vir Chakra”. He fought against Pakistani’s bravely but got shot in his head while going towards the safe place to hold up the control.