A former Indian Army major has, for the first time, shared his journey to Bahrain ... a trip that was never meant to be ordinary.
Major Karan Kapur’s story is driven by an ambitious personal mission to visit all 195 countries in the world. He had already traversed 130 nations before arriving in Bahrain – his 131st destination – on the morning of February 28.
What began as another milestone soon transformed into an unforeseen experience and struggle.
On the day of his arrival, Major Kapur set out to explore the country. However, the mood shifted abruptly when Iranian missiles and drones targeted GCC nations, including Bahrain, in the wake of the US-Israel strikes on Tehran.
“While moving through the city, I noticed an unusual sight – people filming something in the distance. Confused, I turned back to witness plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Within minutes, the situation escalated. Panic spread as individuals reacted in different ways – some rushed for shelter, others continued recording, while many, like me, stood momentarily frozen, unsure of what to do,” Major Kapur told GDN.
“A few minutes before the attacks started, I was in front of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet (in Juffair),” he recalled.
Realising the unpredictability of the situation, his immediate priority was to leave the country and so he booked the earliest available flight to India.
“However, upon reaching the airport, I learned that the airspace had already been closed. With no outbound flights and limited options, I, like many others was stranded at the airport, sought assistance from airline authorities. The airport personnel guided us towards a temporary lodging in Hidd.”
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After two days and with the help of a Pakistani man, Maj Kapur reached Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) and met a few of their members, including its president P V Radhakrishna Pillai.
“I also met another gentleman, Mr Vysakh, who was a frequent traveller to Saudi Arabia, which immediately gave me the idea that I could reach India via Saudi, as A few flights were operational from Riyadh, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” he said.
“The conflict was getting intense. Never had I thought that my journey to the Gulf would begin this way. Next morning, with the help of Mr Vysakh, I reached Saudi. As I am a traveller, I had visas for many countries, including Saudi.
“Initially, I went to the Al Salwa border near Abu Samra hoping to catch a flight from Qatar. I reached the Doha International Airport but again was denied entry because of closure of airspace. So I immediately started for Al Batha border crossing, the sole land border checkpost between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The authorities there guided me to a bus which helped me reach Abu Dhabi for free, and later to Sharjah from where I finally flew back to India.”
The UAE authorities offered assistance to all stranded travellers, providing free meals at immigration checkpoints and arranging complimentary transportation – a gesture he said was deeply reassuring.
By this point, Maj Kapur had been in continuous transit for more than 48 hours.
“For a traveller whose mission is to explore the world, this experience became more than just another destination; it was a profound encounter with crisis, resilience, and the enduring impact of kindness, empathy and support.”
A Doctorate in Tourism Management, Major Kapur is undertaking a global mission to visit all 195 countries. His objective is to study tourism systems on the ground, including infrastructure, policies, and operational frameworks. Simultaneously, he engages with the Indian diaspora in each country to understand their lifestyles, challenges, and opportunities.
Through direct observation and interaction, he seeks to analyse how nations function, what drives their development, and how tourism integrates with socio-economic structures, offering a comparative, real-world perspective on global systems and human experiences.
Veteran Major Kapur was commissioned into the prestigious Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army in 2010, marking the beginning of a distinguished military career defined by resilience, discipline, and operational excellence. Over the years, he served in some of the most demanding environments, demonstrating both leadership and strategic capability.
Maj Kapur’s dedication and service have been recognised with several prestigious honours, including the Samanya Seva Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, Special Suraksha Medal, High Altitude Medal, and the Nine Years Long Service Medal.
In addition to his operational achievements, he has completed key professional training programmes such as the Young Officers Course and an Advanced Gunnery Course, reflecting a well-rounded approach to both military and personal development.
“I want to extend special thanks to the bus drivers in Bahrain who guided me safely, the airport authorities, and Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam for offering support at every step. On the ground, I found Bahrain to be a very warm place. I look forward to visiting the Gulf again once everything returns to normalcy.”
pratyoosh@gdnmedia.bh
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