British Gurkhas Nepal

"May 23 wasn’t just another summit day on Mount Everest. For Gurkha Rifleman Bijay Rana of the UK’s special forces, and for Pasang Kidar, the legendary Sherpa guide who pinned a new rank on fellow climber’s jacket at 8,848 metres, it became a moment of history—chilling winds, thin air, and a promotion no soldier will ever forget."

Pasang Kidar, who has summited Everest many times before, couldn’t hide his pride. “I feel that the UK has a great honour to Nepali Sherpa climbers and Gurkhas serving for her country,” he said.

Stripes at Everest summit: How IFMGA guide Pasang Kidar has pinned a Gurkha’s new rank to Rgr Rana on top of the world May 23 wasn’t just another summit day on Mount Everest. For a Gurkha rifleman of the UK’s special forces, and for the legendary Sherpa guide who pinned a new rank on his jacket at 8,848 metres, it became a moment of history—chilling winds, thin air, and a promotion no soldier will ever forget.

Congratulations to the UK Armed Forces Team who successfully summited Mount Everest on 23 May. The Team are back in Kathmandu where they had an opportunity to meet and share their experience with His Majesty’s Ambassador HE Rob Fenn at British Embassy Kathmandu today.

The Expedition Team:
Maj Joe Adamson - Exped Leader
Maj Kate Thompson - Chief Medical Officer
Lt Col Raj Joshi - Ops Officer
Capt Jacob Sargent - Climber
WO2 Avtar Gill - Exped 2IC
SSgt Ryan McGregor - Climber
Sgt Silas Simpson - Climber
Sgt Vince Sulaiman - Climber
Cpl Will Goddard - RM ML / Climber
LCpl Chris White - Climber
LCpl Kishor Thapa - Climber
Rgr Bijaya Rana - Climber
Sgt Ali Holman - Royal Marines ML / Chief Instructor

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Gurkha soldier to represent UK Armed Forces at the NATO CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Ngadi Sherpa of the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR) currently serving in British Gurkhas Nepal, Kathmandu is all set to represent the UK Armed Forces at the NATO Chess Championship to be held in Jūrmala, Latvia between 11-17 October, 2026.

His exceptional performance at the recent UK Armed Forces Chess Championship saw him overcome some very strong and more experienced opponents from the whole range of the UK Defence including the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, British Army, veterans and civil service.
The UK Armed Forces Chess Association has stated that his participation in the NATO Chess Championship will add significantly to the strength of the UK team.

15 members of HQ BGN deployed on Ex PURKHA ko PAURAKH 26, the Battlefield Study to India over the period of 10 – 17 May 2026.

The study delivered a unique opportunity for the participants to stand on the very ground where the foundations of the Brigade of Gurkhas were forged. Visits to the historic battlefields of Khalanga and Jaithak Fort brought to life the extraordinary courage, resilience, and fighting spirit that established the legendary reputation of the Gurkhas within the British Army.

A visit to the Area Welfare Centre, Dehradun, enabled meaningful interaction with Gurkha veterans and their families, strengthening understanding of the Brigade’s enduring legacy, service, and community bonds across generations.

BGN Ex PURKHA ko PAURAKH 26, the Battlefield Study, was led by Captain Santosh Gurung.

Major Kiran Pun MVO, Gurkha Major BGN met pensioners and their family members as part of his tour to Gurkha veteran communities in the eastern parts of Nepal. A couple of fortunate meetings included ones with Lieutenant (QGO) (Retired) Nar Bahadur Rai 10 GR who also served as the Area Welfare Officer in Khandbari and Mrs Harimaya Limbu, wife of Late Rifleman Padam Lal Limbu.

Major Pun is currently traversing along the Area Welfare Centres (AWC) of Cluster 5.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) provides welfare, medical and community support to Gurkha veterans, their families, and their communities, enabling them to live with dignity.
GWT operates through 21 Area Welfare Centres spread across traditional Gurkha recruiting areas in Nepal.

प्रकृतिको श्रद्धा र संरक्षणप्रति मायालाई अक्षुण्ण राख्दै गोर्खालीहरूले धेरै नाममा गर्ने प्रकृति पूजाहरूमध्ये महत्त्वपूर्ण संसारी माई पूजा बि जी एन ले ०९ मे, ललितपुरको गोदावरीमा सु-सम्पन्न गरेको छ । आफ्नो धर्म संस्कृति अनुसार हरेक वर्ष गरिने संसारी माई पूजा डब्लु ओ १ महेश पालुङवा, आर एस एम बि जी एन र श्री झबिन्द्र ज्ञवाली, बि जी एन पण्डित को अग्रतामा बि जी एन का सैनिक तथा गैर-सैनिक अधिकारी र स्टाफको सहभागितामा सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न भयो ।

Honouring the tradition of respecting and protecting nature, BGN successfully conducted the Sansari Mai Puja on 09 May at Godawari, Lalitpur. Among the many nature-worship ceremonies performed by Gurkhas to preserve their heritage, the Sansari Mai Puja is one of the most significant, which was led this year by WO1 Mahesh Palungwa, RSM BGN and Mr Jhabindra Gyawali, BGN Pandit, with participation of military and civilian officers and staff.

Today marks the 81st anniversary of VE Day, a day that changed the world.

As we join the nation in reflection, we remember the incredible courage of the Gurkhas who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Allied forces to secure peace in Europe.

While many celebrated in 1945, it is important to remember that for many Gurkha regiments, the war was not yet over. They continued their valiant service in the Far East for months to come.

Our commitment to these veterans, and the widows of those who served, remains as strong as ever. We ensure they can live their lives in dignity and comfort.

Today, we say thank you. For your service, for your sacrifice, and for our freedom.

Lest we forget. Jai Gurkha.

As part of BGN's engagement with Gurkha communities in provincial and beyond-border regions, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Browne, Deputy Commander BGN and Major Kiran Pun MVO, Gurkha Major BGN, on 06 May, met with Officers and Staff of Darjeeling Veterans Advice Centre (DVAC), Area Welfare Centre (Darjeeling) and The Brigade of Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen's Association, Darjeeling, India.

2570th BUDDHA JAYANTI

Celebrating the Life, Enlightenment and Parinirvana (Final Liberation) of Lord Buddha.

BGN staff and family members, partners were fortunate to witness the graceful sermon on Lord Buddha’s teachings by Acharya Pasang Wangdu Sherpa, today.
Colonel Dan Rex MVO, Commander BGN underscored the importance of applying the teachings of Lord Buddha in our everyday life.
The special ceremony held in BGN Kathmandu on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti was led by Major Kiran Pun MVO, Gurkha Major BGN and Sergeant Jagat Prasad Rana.

It was a pleasure to have Ms Claire Prendergast, Nepal Desk Officer (South Asia and Afghanistan Directorate (SAAD)), at BGN Kathmandu today. Ms Claire was welcomed by BGN Officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Browne, Deputy Commander BGN and Major Kiran Pun MVO, Gurkha Major BGN, following which she took part in BGN’s temple service.