Thomas Cherian: Indian soldier who was laid to rest after 56 years


For more than five decades the tale of Indian soldier Thomas Cherian has been one marked by heartbreak, hope and ultimately closure. It started on February 7, 1968, with Cherian one of the young army craftsman boarding an Indian Air Force AN-12 aircraft which disappeared. It was only his first posting at 22, in the remote but strategic location of Leh in Ladakh. On board the 102 passengers comprising of military personnel and crew had embarked on a Chandigarh-Leh journey navigating numerous life-threatening conditions which included poor maneuverability due to weather difficulties over the Himalayas. On the 13th mission, however, en route to Leh — after recrossing Rohtang Pass in one of its hair-splittingly quick four-minute sorties between high-and-low-altitude weather mediation duties— it fell off radar and vanished without a trace.
First Search Attempt & No Answer

Large scale search operations were quickly launched to find the wreckage and any survivors of the aircraft that went missing. The rugged weather and uneven terrain of the Himalayas ensured that it was no mean task for these souls. The Rohtang Pass, famous for its unpredictable weather conditions and heavy snowfall along with the challenging rugged mountainous terrain made it a dangerous hurdle to overcome for rescue operations. Despite initiating extensive searches with several different teams and resources, the authorities were not able to even recover any wreckage of a plane or people. As the months turned into years, search operations were sleeked and finally in May 2018 all of the 102 people onboard — including Wang’s husband Huanguo Weng —were declared lost at sea presumed dead.
For families like Cherian’s, those years were a wrenching cocktail of sleepless nights and dashed hopes. For a long time, Cherian’s parents — Thomas Mathew and Annamma — clung to the hope that their son could somehow come back. They clung to any glimmer of hope that maybe he was just out there somewhere, or had been taken by someone and would be returned when his captors were done with him. They both died not knowing what happened to their son. Darrell Thomas was one of those boys and his death required another six years for family members to finally get some answers.
Progress in the Search - ongoing efforts to find him
The search for the missing AN-12 finally yielded its first breakthrough in 2003, more than three decades after it vanished. During one of the expeditions launched by family members and mountains near Rohtang Pass who found human remains believed to be that of And artist from missing aircraft. The finds offered a new opportunity to look for any remaining wreckage and retrieve the remains of those who died inthe accident. It marked a pivotal moment for the families of the victims, in that it was now officially announced worldwide — with certainty — that whatever had become of their loved ones transported over land and sea to Malaysia had crashed without survivors.

In the years to come, Indian Army and other search parties continued their efforts in recovering remains from Dhaka glacier — located at a height of around 16,000 feet above sea level. Despite harsh circumstances, additional remains were discovered, bringing the number of families receiving closure a few notches up to eight.
Thomas Cherian's Remains Found
Those efforts received a major push in carrying newly-increased search capacity into 2023-24, thanks to new technology that had made it less difficult than when Cleveland first searched two years earlier. A fresh search was launched by the army’s high-altitude (Dogra Scouts) unit and Tiranga Mountain Rescue Team in Jammu division of the Union Territory. Teams used sophisticated tools like drones, satellite imagery and a device called Recco radar that can identify metal objects underground at as much as 65 feet deep. The high-tech machine helped to uncover portions of the plane wreckage that had eluded detection for 75 years.
One such search mission in September 2024 discovered human remains at high altitude near the like-named Dhaka glacier. Difficult conditions presented major challenges to the recovery, but by overcoming these obstacles and employing State of the Art technology, investigators were able to locate additional remains. Recovery of the remains included that from Thomas Cherian. His identity was confirmed with the help of a name tag on his uniform and school papers that he had in his pocket during the fatal accident. 6 ª link7ª source
For Cherian, his recovery 56 years after he vanished marked the end of a more than half- century long search that had been an uphill battle. It was bittersweet news for the Thomas family, including younger brother Thomas,. And in some ways, it offered a long sought-restraint to clarity and an opportunity to lay their lost relative to rest. On the other hand, it turned back time and made them think of all the hurt they had been through that many years ago.
Funeral & Honoring A Soldier
His body was flown down to his native in Kerala, where he received a hero’s welcome. The coffin, adorned with the tricolour arrived on October 3 in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala From there it was brought to the house of Shaiju Mathew, husband of Cherian’s niece (daughter of his eldest brother Thomas Mathews). The people came out to say goodbye, finally recognizing the forgotten soldier of times too long gone. St Peter’s Orthodox Church in Karur, Elanthoor on October 4, 2024The funeral took place in the presence of full military honors.
It was an emotional ceremony… not only for the Cherian family, but also for the entire nation. It was a stark reminder of what families are enduring when the men go off to serve their country and how hard it can be. The ceremony, attended by military personnel, local officials and family members provided a fitting tribute to the soldier’s service while offering closure for his ultimate sacrifice. Bringing closure to his family who have been waiting for this moment over 5 decades, by performing the final funeral rites.

1968 AN-12 Crash — The Bigger Picture
The incident of 1968, where an AN-12 crashed was not a standalone tragedy but evidence that showed the bigger picture of military operations in the Himalayan region. The plane was on its way to Leh, an area that in 1962 and continues to be considered strategically vital because it is close to Chinese and Pakistani borders. The mean terrain and severe weather of the notoriously mountainous area has historically made military maneuver difficult to conduct, in turn leading these type missions inherently dangerous.
The crash (and a number of similar ones in the sixties) highlighted how tricky it is/plane travel was from high-altitude areas. This also helped in better safety protocols and more awareness about the dangers of working under such conditions. But despite the victories, unrecovered remains are reminders to families of those who lost their lives in a crash that never ends.
For the families of the dead, their loved ones killed in such ways that not only had they lost a son or daughter but must live with uncertainty about their fate. Cherian’s parents, for example, died without knowing the fate of their daughter. For others, hope stretched into the years until bones were found even half a century later.
Modern Search & Rescue Advancements
The search of the missing AN-12 aircraft, conducted over several years; have shown a need for technological development in Search and Rescue. The use of drones and satellite images can effectively complement ground searches because they allow for quicker coverage over large, remote areas. The use of Recco radar technology, which helped locate the metallic debris from parts that were buried under ice and snow at a significant depth was just one example how cutting-edge instruments can be utilized to unbury long dormant wreckage.
And those technological advancements have implications beyond this one search. For families of those who go missing in isolated and hazardous areas after a crash, due to natural disasters or other causes it is news filled with hope. Finding remains, even after years of searching, allows the family to have much needed closure otherwise unattainable.
Indian Army and Local People Play a Vital Role
The undying search for the missing soldiers by the Indian Army has earned them praise. In particular, the Dogra Scouts proved to be integral in helping with finding and rescuing as they had a wealth of experience from mountain search-and-rescue operations in high altitudes. Their determination in the face of severe weather and difficult terrain played a crucial part in finally solving to mystery about lost AN-12 aeroplane.
The local communities especially the ones near Dhaka glacier have played a very important role in these search operations. However, some clues about the debris or remains have been reported by a few mountaineers, trekkers and villagers that have guided search teams to certain spots. Their contribution to the recovery underscores the role which civilians can sometimes play in supporting military and rescue operations.
A Meditation on Grief, And Remembrance By a Monk RominReflections For Us To Remember, On The 10th Anniversary of Loss and A Very Late Attempt At Closuremedium.com
The crash of the AN-12 aircraft and Thomas Cherian’s story show how a soldier sacrifices his life for nation-building work.and this great sacrifice made repeatedly has to wonder, end at what cost? there is never-ending war here. It demonstrates the tenacity of loved ones, who are always left to hope for answers. It is a statement about the larger human need for closure, to stop the endless speculation which accompanies not knowing what happened—to be able finally to grieve begin Mourning Process.
The discovery of his remains was no comfort to the family of Thomas Cherian, who suffered through years wondering what happened to him. It did, however, give them an actual link to their deceased son and brother if it was one he gave or received from his captors; they were able to complete the final rites in accordance with their traditions. His body arriving wrapped in the national flag was reminiscent of a hero — albeit one who gave his life under tragic circumstances.
The last part of Thomas Cheriyan’s story is not the journey of one soldier but also a message for us to never forget them who gave their today that we may have our tomorrow. While the nation said goodbye to a soldier missing for 56 years his story continued, not only in reminiscing about those who fought and died but of all that never stopped seeking out those without closure. It was a story that took more than half a century to write, the families who waited and soldiers scoured country for information as community after contributing communities recovered.
The significance of the recovery of AN-12 crash victims, such as Thomas Cherian, goes beyond simply scientists and military enthusiasts. It is indicative of the residual scars and wounds related to unresolved loss, unposted POW/MIA. The efforts to recover his body set a precedent for determination and served as an example that there is no time limit when it comes trying find some sort of conclusion for families in mourning. For the family of Thomas Cherian, this finality meant finally being able to pay their respects and let go: knowing that they had treated his son with love even in death.
The crash in 1968 and the tale of Thomas Cherian’s partial recovery is a testament to both the hardships endured by those who serve in war, especially with modern scientific breakthroughs which can lead to closure for grief-stricken relatives. And as the remains were laid to rest, her family not only had closure.Soldiers who died in high mountains some never knew it was their final resting place.But these brave hearts lived on eternity.He left a mark of service and sacrifice
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