Meet Bishnu Shrestha: The Gorkha Soldier Who Defeated 40 Armed Bandits Alone

In the annals of modern heroism, few stories capture the imagination quite like that of Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, a Nepalese Gurkha soldier whose singular act of bravery aboard a moving train in India has become legendary. Born in 1975 in the remote village of Bachchha Deurali Khola in Nepal's Parbat district, Shrestha's life was shaped by the rugged Himalayan terrain and a family legacy of military service.

His father, Gopal Babu Shrestha, had served in the same Gurkha regiment before retiring in 1981, instilling in young Bishnu a sense of duty and resilience. The family later relocated to Pokhara, a bustling city that served as a gateway for many Nepalese recruits into the Indian and British armies. Shrestha's entry into the Indian Army's 7th Battalion of the 8th Gorkha Rifles marked the beginning of a career defined by the Gurkhas' storied reputatio fierce warriors known for their motto, "Better to die than be a coward," and their iconic khukuri knives, curved blades that have symbolized their indomitable spirit since the 19th century.

Gurkhas, originally from Nepal, have long been recruited into foreign armies due to their exceptional combat skills and loyalty. The British first encountered them during the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-1816, where their valor impressed even their adversaries, leading to recruitment treaties that continue to this day. In the Indian Army, Gurkha regiments like the 8th Gorkha Rifles have participated in major conflicts, including World Wars I and II, the Indo-Pakistani wars, and peacekeeping missions.

Shrestha's service in this elite unit honed his abilities, preparing him for unforeseen challenges beyond the battlefield. By 2010, after years of dedicated service, he chose voluntary retirement at the age of 35, seeking a quieter life back in Nepal. Little did he know that his journey home would thrust him into a confrontation that would echo the heroic tales of his forebears.

The pivotal event unfolded on the night of September 2, 2010, aboard the Maurya Express, a passenger train traveling from Ranchi in Jharkhand to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bishnu Shrestha, seated in the AC3 coach on seat number 47, was en route to his family in Pokhara when, around midnight, the train ground to a halt in the dense jungles near Chittaranjan in West Bengal. 

What followed was a chaotic robbery orchestrated by a gang of armed bandits some disguised as passengers who stormed the compartments, wielding guns, daggers, swords, and tangis (axes). They systematically looted valuables: cash, jewelry, mobile phones, laptops, and more, while terrorizing and injuring passengers who resisted.

Initially, Shrestha remained composed, prepared to surrender his own belongings to avoid escalation. However, the situation turned dire when the robbers targeted an 18-year-old girl traveling with her parents, grabbing her with the intent to assault her right there on the train. The girl's desperate pleas for help "You are a soldier, please save a sister" stirred Shrestha into action. 

Viewing her as akin to his own kin, he could no longer stand by. Drawing his khukuri, a traditional Nepalese knife carried by Gurkhas as both a tool and a weapon, he launched a fierce counterattack. "I am a soldier and get paid to protect citizens of this country," he later recounted to reporters. "I could not sit back and watch as passengers were looted. I pulled out my khukuri and attacked the criminals."

The ensuing fight was intense and one-sided in terms of numbers, yet Shrestha's training and determination turned the tide. He engaged multiple assailants, inflicting severe injuries on at least three, with some accounts claiming he killed three and wounded eight others. The battle lasted about 20 minutes, during which a shot was fired at him but missed, and he was eventually overpowered, sustaining a deep wound to his left hand from his own khukuri after it was wrested away.

Despite this, his resistance caused panic among the robbers, who fled the train, leaving behind much of their loot. Shrestha's intervention not only prevented the assault on the girl who suffered only a minor neck injury but also halted the robbery, saving countless passengers from further harm.

Upon the train's arrival at Chittaranjan station, authorities were alerted, leading to the arrest of six to eight injured robbers. Recovered items included approximately 10,470 Indian rupees in cash, 33 mobile phones, 14 wristwatches, an ATM card, two pistols, live cartridges, and seven daggers, according to police reports. Broader estimates from media suggested the total haul might have encompassed around 400,000 rupees, 40 gold necklaces, 200 cell phones, and 40 laptops, though these figures remain unverified and vary across sources.

Shrestha was rushed to a railway hospital for treatment and later transferred to the Command Hospital in Kolkata, where he underwent two months of neurological care. His hand fully recovered, though scarred, allowing him to resume normal activities.

In the aftermath, Shrestha's heroism was widely celebrated. The Indian government honored him with the Sena Medal for bravery and the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, both announced in January 2012, recognizing acts of exceptional courage with significance for the armed forces. His regiment awarded him 50,000 Indian rupees, revoked his retirement to grant a promotion, and provided special travel discounts. 

Public accolades poured in from mothers' groups, schools, political leaders, and the media, transforming him from a local figure to a national hero in both Nepal and India. The girl's family offered a substantial cash reward, which he humbly declined, stating, "Fighting the enemy in battle is my duty as a soldier. Taking on the thugs on the train was my duty as a human being." He credited the media for amplifying his story, noting that without their support, he might have faced misunderstandings or even charges.

The incident's cultural impact extends beyond awards. It reinforced the mythic status of Gurkhas, inspiring articles, YouTube videos, and social media posts that portray Shrestha as a modern-day warrior. Bollywood composer Himesh Reshammiya acquired rights for a biopic, though it remains unrealized as of 2025. In Nepal, his tale bolsters national pride, while in India, it exemplifies civilian protection by military personnel. Globally, it serves as a reminder of individual valor in the face of overwhelming odds, echoing historical Gurkha feats like those at Gallipoli or Monte Cassino.

Yet, Shrestha's story also invites reflection on heroism in a complex world. While celebrated, the discrepancies remind us to approach such narratives with nuance, appreciating the human element without demanding flawless accuracy. As Shrestha himself reflected, "I am proud to be able to prove that a Gorkha soldier with a khukuri is really a handful." His actions, regardless of precise numbers, embody a universal duty to protect the vulnerable, ensuring his legacy endures as an inspiration for generations.