Lance Naik Rabi Lal Thapa was born on 6 November 1923 in Gumli Tehsil, Nepal. He joined the Indian Army in 1940 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, 1 Gorkha Rifles. Having served in operational areas during the Second World War, he entered the post-Independence period with valuable field experience and continued to serve with his battalion during the difficult military operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947–48, 1/1 Gorkha Rifles was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir as Indian forces fought to secure their positions against advancing enemy forces. On 27 September 1948, Lance Naik Thapa was serving as a section commander when his patrol was sent towards the Bhed area to check enemy movement near Indian positions. The patrol came under intense automatic fire from several directions, placing the soldiers in a dangerous situation.
Despite the heavy fire, Thapa took control of the situation and moved forward with a Bren gun, engaging the opposing force at close range. His action caused the enemy to fall back temporarily, but the attack resumed with additional strength. Recognising that his section could be surrounded, he ordered his men to withdraw while remaining behind to engage the advancing enemy himself. He continued fighting until he was fatally wounded, giving the rest of his patrol the opportunity to reach safety.
Lance Naik Rabi Lal Thapa was killed in action on 27 September 1948. His conduct during the Bhed action reflected exceptional courage, leadership and devotion to his men. His deliberate decision to remain in the line of fire so that his section could withdraw safely became the defining act of his service. For his conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the **Maha Vir Chakra**, India's second-highest wartime gallantry award.