AlexPopp6687: Creating data - done

2026-05-03T18:14:49Z

Creating data - done

New page

{{Short description|Indian ex-serviceman and social activist}}{{Infobox military person
| image = Tharchin.jpeg
| birth_date = 1978
| death_date = 24 September 2025
| birth_place = [[Skurbuchan]], [[Ladakh]], Jammu and Kashmir
| death_place = [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]], India
| death_cause = Police firing on protestors
| rank = [[Hawaldar]]
| unit = [[Ladakh Scouts]]
| other_work = Social worker
}}

'''Tsewang Tharchin''' (1978 – 24 September 2025) was an Indian ex-serviceman and social worker from [[Ladakh]]. He was known for his military service and community work in the [[Ladakh]] region, and later became active in movements demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. He was killed during a protest in Leh in September 2025.

== Early life and education ==
Tharchin was born as the first of seven children to his father Stanzin Namgyal in 1978 in [[Skur Buchan|Skurbuchan]] village of Zanskar, a remote valley in Ladakh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Taskin |first=Bismee |date=2025-09-26 |title='He fought in Kargil, but died by police bullets'—family mourns ex-serviceman shot dead in Leh stir |url=https://theprint.in/?p=2752036 |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Narayan |first=Priyanjali |date=2025-09-29 |title=Pak couldn't kill him but...: Father on Kargil War veteran killed in Ladakh protest |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ladakh-protests-statehood-pakistan-could-not-kill-him-father-on-kargil-war-veteran-son-tsewang-tharchin-death-leh-2795089-2025-09-29 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

He grew up in a traditional [[Ladakhis|Ladakhi]] family and was educated locally before joining the 3 [[Ladakh Scouts]] Regiment of the Indian armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raina |first=Irfan |date=2025-09-25 |title=Tense calm in Ladakh |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/front-page-2/tense-calm-in-ladakh/ |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=Greater Kashmir |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashiq |first=Vijaita Singh & Peerzada |date=2025-09-25 |title=Leh remains tense a day after death of four persons |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/ladakh-protesters-died-of-bullet-wounds-ladakh-buddhist-association/article70094344.ece |access-date=2025-09-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-26 |title=Ex-Serviceman Tsewang Tharchin Shot Dead During Leh Protests; Family Mourns Hero Who Fought in Kargil |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2025/09/ex-serviceman-tsewang-tharchin-shot-dead-during-leh-protests-family-mourns-hero-who-fought-in-kargil.html |access-date=2025-09-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tharchin's father Stanzin also served in the Ladakh Scouts for 32 years and participated in [[Kargil War]], before retiring as a captain in 2002.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== Career ==
Tharchin joined the [[Indian Army]] in 1996 and became a ''[[hawaldar]]'' in the Ladakh Scouts until 2017, he served in the [[Kargil War]] in 1999 and later became active in ex-servicemen's networks in Ladakh.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=From Kargil Hero to Government Victim: The Tragic Death of Tsewang Tharchin |url=http://www.indiaherald.com/Breaking/Read/994850343/From-Kargil-Hero-to-Government-Victim-The-Tragic-Death-of-Tsewang-Tharchin |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=indiaherald.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-28 |title=लद्दाख हिंसा में मरने वालों में करगिल योद्धा भी शामिल, पिता बोले- 'पाकिस्तानी ना मार पाए, हमारी फोर्स ने मार दिया' |url=https://www.thelallantop.com/india/post/ladakh-protest-kargil-war-veteran-tsewang-tharchin-killed-by-ladakhi-police-government |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=The Lallantop |language=hi}}</ref>

After leaving the Army, he returned to civilian life, he started a garment shop in [[Leh]] and engaged in social and community initiatives. He supported welfare activities for veterans and their families and worked to encourage education and youth participation in sports and public service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-28 |title=Kargil war veteran killed in protests, father asks: Is this how we treat patriots |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kargil-war-veteran-killed-in-protests-father-asks-is-this-how-we-treat-patriots-10275633/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Death and aftermath ==
{{Main|Ladakh protests}}
On 24 September 2025, Tharchin participated in a hunger strike organised by the Leh Apex Body in [[Leh]]. The protest, which had begun peacefully, escalated into clashes with security forces. Tharchin was among the four individuals killed during the unrest.<ref name=":0" />

His death prompted widespread condemnation from various quarters, including local political groups and human rights organisations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wani |first=Fayaz |date=2025-09-25 |title=Curfew continues in Leh, 50 detained; Kargil observes shutdown; Wangchuk rejects Centre’s blame |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Sep/25/curfew-continues-in-leh-50-detained-kargil-observes-shutdown-wangchuk-rejects-centres-blame |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=Press Trust of |date=2025-09-29 |title=Congress slams killing of Kargil War veteran Tsewang Tharchin in Ladakh firing |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ladakh-firing-congress-slams-killing-of-kargil-war-veteran-tsewang-tharchin-2795189-2025-09-29 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Excelsior |first=Daily |date=2025-09-29 |title=Kargil War veteran's killing in Ladakh matter of outrage, anguish: Congress |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/kargil-war-veterans-killing-in-ladakh-matter-of-outrage-anguish-congress/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Daily Excelsior |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tharchin's last rites were performed on 29 September 2025 in Leh town, under very high security and curfew. Only close relatives and a few members of the Ladakh Apex Body, were allowed to attend the final rite.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashiq |first=Peerzada |date=2025-09-29 |title=Last rites of two more protesters held in Leh amid restrictions, curfew continues |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh/last-rites-of-two-more-protesters-held-in-leh-amid-restrictions/article70109829.ece |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

He is survived by his wife and four children.<ref name=":2" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Ladakh]]
[[Category:Ladakhi people]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsewang, Tharchin}}
[[Category:Indian social workers]]
[[Category:Extrajudicial killings by the Indian military]]

Tsewang Tharchin - Revision history

AlexPopp6687: Creating data - done