Train Robbery

Bishnu Shrestha was traveling in Maurya Express and was embarking upon his return journey to his hometown.It was September 2010 and Bishnu was going to Gorakhpur from Ranchi in the Maurya Express(Hatia-Gorakhpur).

During the journey, forty armed robbers attacked the train near Chittaranjan, West Bengal and started robbing the passengers of their valuables.Bishnu was in sleep when they reached his berth and woke him up.

He was willing to give up his valuables as it was unwise to risk his and fellow passengers' life for the sake of money. But the 18-year-old woman who was sitting next to him, was grabbed by the robbers who intended to rape her. The woman desperately called for help. He had with him the large, curved khukuri knife that all Gurkha soldiers carry, and attacked the robbers.

He fought valiantly and fought with the robbers, severely injuring his left hand in the process.Many robbers were injured and three of them succumbed to their injuries, other bandits fled the spot.

Six of the bandits were arrested and Rs 10,470 in cash, 33 mobile phones, 14 wrist watches and an ATM card were recovered, along with two pistols, live cartridges and daggers.

Bishnu's injuries to his left arm required two months of medical treatment.However he recovered completely.

He was very happy by the appreciation he received and thanked the media for covering the news so well.

He said that the Indian media brought the incident to light and the Nepali media too gave it its due importance. He might have even been sent to jail on the charges of robbery had the girl and the Indian media not come forward to my support.He further added he was hardly recognized even in Baidam (his neighbourhood) but now the whole country knows him.He has become famous.

The family of the girl who was the intended rape victim, offered him a large cash reward, but he refused it stating that fighting the enemy in battle is his duty as a soldier, but fighting the thugs on the train was his duty as a human being.

Himesh Reshammiya, the Bollywood singer,music director and actor, has announced to make a biopic on him based upon his bravery on the Maurya Express train robbery.

Thus, Bishnu Shrestha, the brave Indian Army soldier, not only thwarted a planned train robbery, but also saved the modesty of a girl.

*****Bishnu Shrestha is a Gorkha soldier in the Indian Army (7th battalion the 8 Gorkha Rifles) .He was given the Sena Medal for bravery, and the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak medal, both awarded for his gallant conduct during the armed train robbery*****