Brigadier Hemant Mahajan, YSM: Brief Bio data
Awards and Decorations
Throughout his military career, Brigadier Mahajan
received several prestigious awards, including:
- GOC-in-C
Central Command Commendation Card
- Yudha Seva
Medal,Gallantry (YSM)
- Chief of
Army Staff Unit citation during his command.
- GOC-in-C Northen
Command Unit Appreciation during his command.
- As a brigade
commander COAS Unit citation to one unit
- India’s
highest gallantry award to an officer in his brigade
Military Service and Academic Achievements
Brigadier Hemant Mahajan, YSM, holds a Master of Science
(M.Sc.) and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Defence Studies. He began his
distinguished military career at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun
in July 1973, and was commissioned as an officer on 15th June 1975 into the 7
Maratha Light Infantry. Throughout his service, Brigadier Mahajan was actively
involved in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism operations in some of India's
most volatile regions, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Indo China
border, Indo Pakistan Border. and the North East. He participated in all major
operations conducted by the Indian Army since 1975.
Key Operational Achievements
Brigadier Mahajan commanded his battalion, the 7 Maratha
Light Infantry, during Operation Rakshak in the challenging terrains of Poonch
and Rajouri at the peak of militancy. His leadership was instrumental in
thwarting terrorist infiltration from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. Under
his command, his unit received a Unit Citation and 18 gallantry awards,
including the Yudha Seva Medal (YSM) for Brigadier Mahajan himself.
During 'Operation Parakram,' the largest military
mobilization by the Indian Army, which nearly led to war with Pakistan,
Brigadier Mahajan played a critical role in the movement and administration of
troops. His exceptional contributions were recognized with the Army Commander's
Commendation award.
Later, as a Brigade Commander in Operation Rakshak, he
oversaw operations in the terrorist-ridden areas of Poonch, Krishna Ghati,
Surankot, and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir. His command included two battalions
of the Border Security Force (BSF), with one unit earning a Unit Citation, and
a BSF battalion being recognized as the best in the country in 2006. The
highest gallantry award “Ashok Chakra” for that year was bestowed upon an
officer under his command.
Faculty Role at Army War College
Most of his students achieved the rank of Brigadier and
Major General, with many advancing further to become Army Commanders and even
the Chief of Army Staffs.
In February 2006, Brigadier Mahajan joined the faculty of
the Higher Command Wing at the Army War College, where he served with
distinction for three years. As a Directing Staff member, he was responsible
for mentoring senior officers of the rank from the Army, Navy, and Air Force in
various facets of national security. His expertise extended to a wide range of
subjects, including management, nuclear biological and chemical warfare,
insurgency in Kashmir and the North East, left-wing extremism, terrorism, and
maritime infiltration.
Post-Retirement Contributions
Academic and Advisory Roles
Brigadier Mahajan heads the Strategic Study
Centre at the Rashtriya Swatantra Veer Savarkar Smarak in Mumbai.
He also served as the Chair Professor for the
Swatantra Veer Savarkar Chair of National Security at Pune University from 2018
to 2021.
Additionally, he was a security advisor to the
government of Daman and Diu from 2017 to 2019.
Writing and Media Engagements
Since retiring, Brigadier Mahajan has continued
to contribute to national security discourse through his prolific writing. He
has authored over 5,000 articles, regularly featured in leading Marathi
newspapers such as Sakal,Loksatta,Maharashtra Times,Tarun Bharat,
Samna, and Pudhari, as well as in English publications like Cass
Journal, News Bharati Organizer. Etc
He also contributes to many national level
magzines.
He is also a frequent participant in television
debates, appearing on numerous channels across Marathi, Hindi, and English,
including IBN Lokmat, Zee 24 Taas, ABP Majha, Times Now, and Mirror Now.
Brigadier Mahajan reaches a broad audience
through his online presence, including a popular e-lecture series on
(a)Facebook, which has garnered over 5 million
views.
(b)his YouTube channel focused on national
security, https://www.youtube.com/@hemantmahajan12153/videos
with
over 2.35 lakh views.
(c) his blog at https://brighemantmahajan.blogspot.com/
With 10 lakh views.
Publications and Thought Leadership
Brigadier Mahajan has authored several books on national
security, focusing on critical issues such as China's covert warfare against
India, the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, and India's coastal security
challenges. His works include:
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