Final rites of Bipin Joshi performed

Kathmandu – Final rites of Bipin Joshi who was killed by Hamas nearly two years ago has been performed by the bank of Mahakali river in Kanchanpur district in far-western Nepal on Tuesday.

Chief district officer of Kanchanpur, Laxman Dhakal, offered Nepal’s national flag on the body of late Joshi. Similarly, a staff of the Israeli embassy in Kathmandu offered Israel's flag on his body.

Thousands of local people attended the funeral and paid tribute to late Joshi. His family members performed the final rites.

Earlier, interim  Prime Minister Sushila Karki  paid her last tribute to Bipin Joshi, who was abducted and killed by Hamas militants, saying he will “always live in the hearts of every Nepali.”

After offering her final respects to Joshi’s mortal remains at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday, Prime Minister Karki said that although Joshi is no longer in physical form, his courage and sacrifice will be remembered by the nation. “Bipin must have suffered greatly while in Hamas’s custody. Even when there was a chance that he could have survived, he risked his life to save his friends. He is a brave Nepali youth — a true son of Nepal,” said Mrs Karki who assumed office last month  in the aftermath of nationwide Gen Z protests. “Although his body has returned lifeless, Bipin has immortalized the name of a brave Nepali,” she said, expressing deep condolences to Joshi’s family and acknowledging the tireless efforts of his mother and sister throughout the two-year ordeal.

Joshi was one of 17 Nepali students studying under the Learn and Earn program in southern Israel when Hamas launched its surprise attack on October 7, 2023. Ten of the students were killed in the assault, while Joshi was taken hostage. After nearly two years, Hamas recently handed over Bipin’s body to Israel and Israeli authorities repatriated his remains to Nepal.