KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 16

The Legal Research Society Nepal has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in relation to Bipin Joshi, who went missing in the Hamas attack in Israel and requested the ministry to recognise his bravery.

It has written a letter to Foreign Minister NP Saud stating that Bipin Joshi has shown great act of bravery in the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

He risked his life to save the lives of 17 people, including six from the farm where he worked by removing a bomb thrown by Hamas in his bunker during the attack.

Despite this heroic act, Joshi has not been out of contact and there are concerns that he may be one of the 150 people currently held captive by Hamas.

According to International media reports, a Nepali student is among the hostages and there's suspicion that this student might be Joshi.

'It is crucial for the state and all the relevant authorities to verify the student's identity and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Bipin Joshi and recognise his courageous action during the attack,' reads the letter. 'Bipin Joshi's life may be in imminent danger given the circumstances. It is of paramount importance that the Government of Nepal coordinate with international agencies and diplomats and use its strength for Joshi's immediate rescue to ensure his safety and well-being,' said LRSN Chairperson Aayush Badal.

'It's been over a week. No one in the family has eaten properly.

His mother is not in a condition to leave the bed. We have beenpraying to god to return our son safely,' said Bipin's father Mahanand Joshi. 'I am a relief quota teacher. However, I haven't been able to join the school ever since we heard the news of Bipin's missing status. I request the government to coordinate with the international community and bring my son home.'

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister NP Saud promised to search and rescue Joshi as soon as possible.

'Necessary steps are being taken to locate Bipin Joshi. His safety and well-being is our top priority.

We are also coordinating with the embassies and international bodies,' he said.

Foreign Minister Saud said the process of authenticating and bringing five dead bodies of Nepalis killed by Hamas had begun.

'The bodies will be brought to Nepal as soon as we complete protocols,' he said.

Israel handed over the corpses of 5 Nepalis yesterday to Nepal's embassy in Tel-Aviv. The embassy has received the bodies of Narayan Prasad Neupane, Lokendra Singh Dhami, Ganesh Kumar Nepali, Dipesh Raj Bist and Ashish Chaudhary.

Repatriation of the dead bodies was delayed as post-mortem and other procedures needed to be performed and Israeli hospitals were preoccupied with a huge number of injured people and bodies.

Nepal's Embassy in Israel said, 'We are trying to send bodies as early as possible. The search operation for Bipin Joshi is on and we have mobilised all available mechanisms.'

Ten Nepali students who had reached Israel under the 'learn and earn' programme (a government-to-government initiative of Nepal and Israel) were killed in the attack while Joshi has been missing since then. Fourstudents were severely injured.

Of them, two are still undergoing treatment at a hospital in Israel.

During the conversation with international media, Foreign Minister Saud said, 'According to eyewitness Nepali students, Bipin might be in the possession of Hamas.'

Likewise, Bibhusha Adhikari, a rescued student, said, 'Bipin Joshi threw a grenade and saved the lives of 17 people in a bunker. However, he was taken hostage by Hamas with two or three Thais.'

A version of this article appears in the print on October 17, 2023, of The Himalayan Times