Heroic Act of Bipin Joshi Saves Life Before Captivity in Israel

On October 7, 2023, in a harrowing assault on Israel, 23-year-old Bipin Joshi exhibited remarkable bravery by throwing back a grenade thrown by Hamas attackers, potentially saving the life of his fellow Nepalese student, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary. This act of courage occurred during an attack on Kibbutz Alumim, where Bipin and 250 others were taken hostage.

Dhan Bahadur recounted the incident, stating, “I may not have survived if both grenades had exploded. Bipin showed courage and threw the grenade out.” Tragically, Bipin was later confirmed among the four hostages who died, identified by the Israeli military. The uncertainty surrounding his death has left his family and friends in profound grief.

Bipin and Dhan Bahadur, along with 15 other agriculture students, had only been in Israel for three weeks as part of the Israeli government’s “Earn and Learn Programme.” The students were seeking opportunities for a better future for themselves and their families back in Nepal. Dhan Bahadur reflected on their expectations prior to the attack, saying, “We knew that there may be a war in Israel. But we had no idea that there may be any ground attack of that magnitude.”

During the assault, two grenades were thrown near the bunkers where the students were taking shelter. Dhan Bahadur recalled, “He [Bipin] picked up one and threw it outside; one exploded inside. Due to that explosion, I and four others were injured.” At that time, Bipin remained unharmed. “If both grenades had exploded, I would not have been speaking with you like this,” he added.

The attack claimed the lives of ten Nepalese students, with Bipin being the only one captured. Dhan Bahadur described the moment they last met, noting that he was unable to move after being injured, while Bipin was taken to another location.

In the wake of Bipin’s death, Dhan Bahadur expressed his sorrow, stating, “All of Nepal is in grief. I do not know what to say. I have no words to explain my sorrow.” He recalled their shared aspirations, including dreams of starting their own enterprises after returning home. “He loved playing football and basketball. We would chat for hours about our goals and dreams,” he said, remembering their joyful moments together.

The Israeli military announced on October 14 that they believed Bipin Joshi had been “murdered in captivity during the first months of the war.” This statement remains unverified. Dhan Bahadur urged the international community to seek answers from Hamas regarding the circumstances of Bipin’s death. He noted a lack of support from Nepal’s government following his injury but hoped for assistance for Bipin’s family from the Israeli authorities.

Bipin’s family, who reside in Bhimdutta municipality, are grappling with their loss. His cousin, Kishore Joshi, shared that Bipin’s mother and sister had traveled to the United States to advocate for the release of hostages. “His mother and sister are returning from the US on Thursday. The father is not in the condition to express the pain in words,” Kishore said.

As arrangements are being made for Bipin’s remains to be repatriated to Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences, stating, “We are all shocked by the news of Bipin Joshi’s death. In this time of sorrow, we extend our deep sympathy to the grieving family.” They assured that efforts would continue to uncover the truth regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

Dhan Bahadur, along with other students who returned safely to Nepal, plan to visit Bipin’s family to provide support. “We will keep his memories alive. We will provide our care, support, and consolation to his family,” he said. Despite returning to his studies, Dhan Bahadur feels a deep sense of loss. “Bipin’s dreams remained unfulfilled.”