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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51 Comments
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Sadashiv Pandurang Sonawane
2020 at 6:15 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.
Umesh Dani
2020 at 6:16 pmProud to be a classmate of such a dashing warrior of our country.
He will be always remembered by all ajikiyans and remain in heart forever.
Salute to him.
Sadashiv Pandurang Sonawane
2020 at 6:17 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.
Jay Hind.
Vilas Ambatkar
2020 at 6:28 pmTrue fighter. True ajinkyan who could not be conqured even by death. As long as sun will shine, you will be remembered.
Sanjay Dhumal
2020 at 6:43 pmGreat warrior. Hero of our nation. Great friend. We will not forget his sacrifice. Hats of to his courage during kargil war.
Kiran krishna sawant
2020 at 6:50 pmOur country is safe with such extra ordinary courageous and selfless soldiers…Your sacrifice will always be remembered forever..We salute your bravery thousand times…
Jai Hind.
Suryakant Jaysing Mandhare
2020 at 6:58 pmHello all,
Pradeep our childhood friend was very shy during our school days, I still remember one of incident that during boxing practice we use to initially choose pairs and decide to box with each other so that none of us get hurted, But later on he developed good leader ship qualities and grown up with lots of skills and joined N. D. A., got Commissioned after hard work and efforts Really I am very proud of him and his parents that he fought bravely till end for our nation, Hope we all are remembering
him in our mind as our best friend, he became the great warrior, we all loved him and are proud of him.
Arvind Mohite
2020 at 7:54 pmDear Pradeep You are always remebered for what you were and your sacrifice ! A brave soldier ,!
Sunil Mendin
2020 at 7:57 pmSalute to the bravehearts.
Jai hind
Supraba Vasu
2020 at 8:00 pmSalute to you Sir!! All martyrs in our hearts and shall be remembered for your sacrifices