Former ward chair of Rolpa dies amid Russia-Ukraine conflict

By Pahalman Gharti, Rolpa, Mar.11: A former ward chair of Rolpa district has passed away in Russia while fighting in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

It is reported that Tirkha Bahadur Budhathoki, former ward chair of Jaimakasala of Sunchhahari Rural Municipality -5, has passed away while fighting in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to family source, Budhathoki was recruited in the Russian Army in September 2023. 

Budhathoki had called his relatives on the phone and through social media, Facebook Messenger, to tell them that his life was in danger due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

The family only learned of Budhathoki's death on March 8, 2025. 

The family was worried after losing contact for a few weeks. 

The news of Budhathoki's death was made public on the social media network Facebook on Monday evening through relatives and friends. 

As per social tradition, a funeral service, kiriya, has been held at Budhathoki's house since Monday for the deceased's final resting place after receiving the news. 

Kiriya is the funeral rites observed in the first 13 days of someone's death as per Hindu tradition in Nepal. 

Family sources said that the chances of bringing the body of the deceased to Nepal are slim as the house has already been ravaged.

Former Chairperson of Sunchhahari Rural Municipality Aash Bahadur Pun expressed his condolences through social media, saying that the incident of Budhathoki's death is very saddening.