Col Santosh Mahadik, SM, CO 41 RR (MARATHA LI) INDIAN ARMY MARTYERED IN KASHMIR

Col Santosh Mahadik, SM, CO 41 RR (MARATHA LI) attains martyrdom while fighting terrorists in Kupwara. Maj Gen PJS Pannu, AVSM, VSM, Col of The MARATHA LI and all ranks of The MARATHA LI convey heartfelt condolences. Address of the bereaved family is as under :- 28/B, Gajraj Colony,Godoli, Satara,Mah - 415001 A Colonel of Army’s elite Para Commando force was today killed and a policeman injured by militants during an operation near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of Kashmir, officials said. The Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Santosh, who was leading a search party, was critically injured when militants hiding in a dense forest area of Haji Naka opened fire, the officials said. Santosh, who was from the elite regiment of Para Commandos, was evacuated to a hospital but he succumbed to injuries, the officials said. They said a police constable was also injured in the firing and was undergoing treatment. The operation to track down the militants was continuing when last reports were received, the officials said. The party of army and police came under fire when it was conducting searches as part of an operation started on November 13 to flush out terrorists hiding in the forest area on the basis of a specific information. An Army jawan was injured on the first day of the operation. After the initial contact on November 13, the militants fled deep into the forests and the security forces continued the chase them, leading to fresh contact today, the officials said. (

It is a sad and shocking news. We heard it through social media and just couldn't believe.We salute the bravest of the brave soldier. May God bless his soul to rest in peace and give strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today paid his tributes to Colonel Santosh Mahadik who was martyred in an encounter in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir today. In a message, he said, "We are proud of our young officers like him who lead from the front and did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives to protect the nation." The Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Santosh, who was leading a search party, was critically injured when militants hiding in a dense forest area of Haji Naka opened fire. Santosh, who was from the elite regiment of Para Commandos, was evacuated to a hospital but he succumbed to injuries. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid rich tributes to Col Santosh Mahadik, Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles, who was today slain by militants in Kashmir. "Tributes and Salute to the brave son of Bharat Mata Colonel Santosh Mahadik from Satara, Maharashtra, who got martyred in Jammu and Kashmir," Fadnavis said in his message on twitter. "It is because of such courageous fighters like Colonel Santosh Mahadik that our nation lives in peace and feels safe and protected. Jai Hind," he added.