KATHMANDU, Oct 20: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has paid her last tribute to Bipin Joshi, the Nepali student 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,” she said.
‘ No evidence yet found of Bipin Joshi’s survival ’
The prime minister said she had hoped Joshi would return alive and be welcomed home but was deeply saddened by the confirmation of his death. “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’s body will be later flown to his home district of Kanchanpur on Monday by a Nepali Army helicopter, where his family will perform his final rites according to religious traditions.
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, Hammas recently handed over Bipin’s body to Israel and subsequently repatriated his remains to Nepal.
