KATHMANDU, 21 October (H.S.): The remains of Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepali student killed after being taken hostage by Hamas, were cremated with state honors on Tuesday on the banks of the Mahakali River. Hundreds of local residents gathered to pay their final respects.

Before the funeral, a contingent of the Armed Police Force gave a formal salute. In a symbol of national mourning, Kanchanpur’s Chief District Officer, Laxman Dhakal, draped the national flag over the casket. Joshi’s father, Mahanand Joshi, and his cousin, Kishor Joshi, performed the last rites.

Shmulik Ari Bass, the Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, attended the ceremony along with two other Israeli delegates. As a mark of respect, the Israeli flag was also placed on Joshi’s body, and a condolence message from the President of Israel was read aloud.

Bipin Joshi, a student at Sudurpaschim University, was in Israel under the ‘Learn and Earn’ program. He was among 49 Nepali students working in the Sedot Negev region when Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023.

Ten Nepali citizens were killed in the initial assault, and Joshi was taken hostage. Nearly two years later, following a ceasefire and a subsequent hostage agreement, Israeli authorities confirmed his death.His body was handed over to Israel and repatriated to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday, where Prime Minister Sushila Karki paid tribute.

A Nepal Army helicopter then transported Joshi’s remains to his hometown for the final ceremonies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar