Service No: IC-41913
DOB: 21 Sep 1963
Last Rank : Major
Unit : 8 JAK LI
Arm/Regt : The J & K Light Infantry
Operation : Op Rakshak (J&K)
Award : Kirti Chakra
Date of Martyrdom: Jun 17, 2000
Major Pradeep R Tathawade KC
Maj Pradeep R Tathawade hailed from Kendur Pabal village of Shirur Taluka in Pune district, Maharashtra. Son of Shri Ramachandra Krishnarao Tathawade and Smt Kusum R Tathawade, Maj Tathawade was second among three siblings with an elder brother Milind and sister Sushma. After his primary education he went on to study from class V in Sainik School at Satara in Maharashtra. The foundation of his military life was laid at this school and eventually he got selected to join the prestigious National Defence Academy in the year 1980.
He was commissioned in June 1984, into 8 JAK LI of the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, a regiment known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous battle honours. By the year 2000, Maj Tathawade had put in around 16 years of service in the army and developed into a battle-hardened soldier after having served in challenging operational areas.
Poonch Operation: 17 June 2000
During June 2000, Maj Tathawade’s unit was deployed in Poonch district of J & K and was engaged in operations against the militants on a frequent basis. On 17th June 2000, Maj Tathawade’s unit received information from intelligent sources about the presence of a group of militants in Shahpur village in Poonch district. Maj Tathawade was officiating as Commanding Officer of the battalion that time and took a decision to launch an operation against the militants. He decided to lead the team himself and reached the suspected area immediately. Soon the assault team made contact with the militants who fired at the troops on being asked to surrender.
A gun battle ensued thereafter with a heavy exchange of fire from both sides. During the ongoing battle, Maj Tathawade saw two militants trying to break away. Maj Tathawade in a swift action shot at the two militants killing them on the spot. In the meantime, the third militant attacked Maj Tathawade from behind. He rolled to the ground along with the militant, who sprang up and shot at Maj Tathawade from close quarters. Although shot in the stomach and thigh Maj Tathawade managed to eliminate the third militant. By then he was bleeding profusely but continued to direct the operation, warning his people to stay back till the militants were killed or captured. Later when the remaining militants were killed, Maj Tathawade was rushed to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Tathawade displayed courage and leadership of a very high order and laid down his life in the service of the nation, following the traditions of the Indian army.
Maj Pradeep R Tathawade was given the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award “Kirti Chakra” for his exceptional courage, unyielding fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice.
Maj Pradeep R Tathawade is survived by his wife Smt Leenta Tathawade, daughter Bhagyashree, and son Sagar.
Citation for the Kirti Chakra awarded to him reads:-.
Maj Pardeep R Tathawade, the Second-in-command, volunteered to lead the search for five hardcore foreign mercenaries who had broken contact and displayed dynamic leadership in tracking them to a re-entrant replete with dense foliage. Maj Pradeep R Tathawade was commissioned into 8 JAK LI on 09 Jul 1984. He was performing the duties of Second-in-Command of the Bn when on 17 Jun 2000 five militants sneaked in the Bn AOR from Pakistan. Maj PR Tathawade sprung the cordon, disposing troops adroitly. Heavy exchange of fire ensued, during which he noticed three terrorists attempting to escape under regarding own safety. He then broke cover at close quarters, and displaying steady steel nerves, shot two terrorists dead including one area commander. His charge to intercept the third locked them in hand to hand combat before they both fired at each other, and the officer was fatally wounded. His buddy shot the third terrorist dead.
For this gallant action, Maj PR Tathawade was conferred with the award of “Kirti Chakra” (Posth).
- A public park in Pune has been named as “Shahid Major Pradeep Tathawade Udyan” in his honour.
- A life-size statue of Major Tathawade stands at the entrance to the garden. The park is spread over 2.75 acres land and has a 260 meters long jogging track along the circumference. The park features several water fountains and a children’s play park.
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Sadanand deshpande
2019 at 9:41 pmThe generations will never forget your sacrifice. A garden named after you in erandwane pune. Salute
Uday ragade
2020 at 9:09 pmYou have set a very high standard of patriotism Pranams to you Sir
Dr Rajiv Dabade
2019 at 9:43 pmHats off to the courage Major Tathawade had. We pedge to eliminate militants.
Nitin Bawsay
2020 at 6:18 pmA brave Ajinkyan indeed! Salutations to the brave heart.
Ravindra Deshpande
2019 at 10:43 pmWe owe our freedom and liberty to you sir and all those soldiers who have been guarding the borders, helping during disasters.
ओम शांती शांती..
Ravindra Deshpande , Alumni of Sainik School Satara
Sadashiv Pandurang Sonawane
2020 at 6:12 pmDear Pradeep,
20 years have passed without you. But not a single day without your thoughts.
Your sacrifice for our MOTHERLAND is not a waste.
I am really proud of you and feel myself honoured for having able to spent some beautiful years of my life with you.
Madhusudhan Reddy konakanti
2020 at 8:06 pmVery unfortunate. Deeply regret. You shall always be remembered.
Bravo. Rip.
Joe Kizhakudan
2020 at 10:17 pmNo words can fill the void Manor Saheb. Our salute and respect always with you. We are all proud of our brave son Jai Hind
K. Palanisamy
2020 at 8:18 amThe Nation will never forget your brave supreme sacrifice and find a meaning to the cause you fought for.
Dr.Keshav Desai
2019 at 12:34 amGreat Soldier and Hero of Great Nation.We salute your courage and determination.We will always remember you.
Sanjay Kothawade.
2020 at 10:37 amAjinkiyan Pradip Tathawade was very simple man.
Hats off to his courage during Kargil war.
Country can not forget his sacrifice.
Vivek pawar
2020 at 1:06 pmA great soldier, friend, patriot who sacrificed his life for country. Inspiration for all of us.
Dipak Chaudhari
2020 at 3:37 pmPradeep Tathawade aka Tatya, no one really would have thought that a fateful combat will take him away from us. A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste death but once!! I always consider it my privilege to have got the opportunity to have studied with him for 7 years. Never saw him distressed, frowning, or involved in any cheap squabbles. I never got to meet him after he joined NDA. Many years later, when I settled down, I tried to contact Tatya but never got in touch with him. Those were the times without mobile phones and social media. Finally I got his address and before I could contact him, came to know about the tragic news about Tatya’s martyrdom. A longing to meet him has remained unfulfilled …. Salutes to the Braveheart. Jai Hind!!
Nanasaheb krishna patil.
2020 at 6:39 pmSalute to the brave heart, Great Sainik, Major pradeep Tatavade was really simple, sobre,in school which i remember, but he proved to be a warrior for the country.
Bindu Pillai
2020 at 8:06 pmSalute to the brave heart!
Prabhat Rambhau Chaudhari
2020 at 5:54 pmI salute the bravery of Maj.Pradip Tathawade.India need sons like him.
Prabhat Chaudhari.
Prabhat Rambhau Chaudhari
2020 at 5:58 pmI salute the bravery of Maj. Pradip Tathawade.He was areal son of motherland.
Prabhat Chaudhari
Sunil Bawsay
2020 at 5:59 pmGreat warrior.
Sainik School Satara is proud of him.
Jai Hind ki Sena
Girish Nehete
2020 at 7:29 pmI and my family Salutes great hero Major Pradeep.
Jai hind
Beena K Baburajan
2020 at 9:31 pmBlessed is the Motherland where a brave and valiant son has lived ,served and made the supreme sacrifice !
Respect and Salute to the eternal life of Major Pradeep R Tathawade KC.
Dhairyasheel Kulkarni
2020 at 10:09 pmI salute the bravery of Maj.Pradip Tathawade. we Ajikyans are proud of you