Major Raghunath Prasad Sharma

Major Raghunath Prasad Sharma was born on December 10, 1938, in Ahrod village, Haryana. The eldest of eight siblings, he displayed exceptional academic brilliance from an early age. After completing his postgraduate studies at Birla College, Pilani (Rajasthan), he chose to serve the nation and joined the Indian Army at the age of 21. On December 13, 1959, he was commissioned into the 16th Battalion of the Madras Regiment (16 Madras)—a unit renowned for its valiant soldiers and distinguished battle history. During the Indo-China War of 1962, Major RP Sharma, then a young lieutenant, actively participated in operations in the Ladakh region, gaining invaluable combat experience. His courage and battlefield acumen were further tested during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, where he was deployed on the Western Front in Rajasthan. Displaying extraordinary bravery, he infiltrated enemy lines and survived under extreme conditions before being rescued. He sustained serious injuries and was later treated at the Military Hospital in Pune, where he recovered after nearly two months of medical care. In 1966, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Pattom Thanu Pillai, a prestigious role he held for three years.

Major RP Sharma married Ms Geeta in 1964, and the couple was blessed with three daughters and a son. Despite his demanding military career, he was a deeply devoted husband and father. A man of refined intellect, he was also a gifted poet, often penning heartfelt verses for his wife and children while stationed at the border.

When the Indo-Pak War of 1971 erupted, Major RP Sharma once again led his troops into battle with 16 Madras. True to his ethos of leading from the front, he fought valiantly in what would become his final mission. Known for his fearless spirit, he often told his wife, "Sher ban ke jiya hoon aur sher ban ke rahunga" ("I have lived like a lion, and I will always remain one"). Major RP Sharma was not just an outstanding officer but a warrior whose courage, leadership, and devotion to duty continue to inspire generations.

Indo-Pak war – Dec 1971

During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, Major Raghunath Prasad Sharma’s battalion, 16 Madras, was deployed in the Shakargarh sector on the Western Front. This region, located near the border between India and Pakistan, held immense strategic importance, as it provided a direct route for Pakistani forces to launch incursions into Indian territory. One of the fiercest battles fought in this sector was the Battle of Basantar, a decisive confrontation between Indian and Pakistani forces. As the battle raged on, Lt Col Ved Prakash Ghai, the Commanding Officer of 16 Madras, was martyred while leading his troops from the front. In the face of this tremendous loss, Major RP Sharma took over the command of the unit, ensuring that their momentum in battle was not lost. Displaying remarkable leadership and tactical acumen, he continued to direct operations and motivated his men to hold their positions firmly. Although the war officially ended on December 16, 1971, with the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers on the Eastern Front, fighting persisted in certain pockets along the Western Front, particularly in the Shakargarh-Jaffarwal sector, where Pakistani forces attempted to regain lost ground.

On December 17, 1971, as enemy forces intensified their attempts to push forward, they launched heavy artillery shelling on positions held by 16 Madras. In the ensuing bombardment, Major RP Sharma sustained grievous injuries to his leg, arm, and neck. Despite his critical condition, he continued to issue commands to his men, ensuring that defensive positions were maintained against the enemy’s aggression. He was initially treated at a forward medical post before being evacuated to the Army Hospital in Delhi on December 21, 1971. Due to the severity of his injuries, doctors were forced to amputate his left leg below the knee on December 31, 1971. Although he displayed immense resilience, his condition continued to deteriorate over the following days. In a bid to provide him with specialized medical care, he was transferred to the Military Hospital in Bangalore on January 8, 1972. However, despite the best efforts of the medical team, Major RP Sharma succumbed to his injuries on January 9, 1972, making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. His mortal remains were brought to Hyderabad, where he was cremated with full military honours at Purana Pul on January 11, 1972.

Major RP Sharma is survived by his wife Smt Geeta Sharma, and their three daughters - Dr Poonam Coshic, Smt Renu Mudgil, Dr. Bharti Sharma, and a son Dr Manoj Sharma.

Dr. Bharti Sharma, Daughter of Major Raghunath Prasad Sharma paid tribute to her father on his “Day of Martyrdom” on 09 Jan 2021…..

War, the word that terrifies us, is an experience which has profound emotions of those who are maimed and sacrificed in the lust of war. Yet it has a selfless sense of purpose. I can have as many words in my life yet they are not enough to express even a fraction of emptiness left by his martyrdom and sacrifice in the “Battle of Basantar” during 1971 war.

I was merely an year old when this event changed our lives forever. There are no memories of him as a person yet his absence is with me forever. Unlike other victims of war, we along with our mother were lucky enough to be cared and raised by a loving family. As I imagine, “The willingness to die for another person is a form of love and is a profound and essential part of a Combat” – this seems to be the thought of every soldier including my father.

Hearing the tales of bravado and sacrifice from his veteran colleagues, I feel utmost pride and sorrow. His sacrifice has endowed upon us the pride and courage to lead and nurture our children towards a respectable life. In his death, the most grief lies with my mother who, as a young mother of four, has lived her life with his memories keeping a brave and proud face throughout. We will always be indebted to her in a way both of them have been a tale of sacrifice, love and inspiration for us.

“The Tyrant dies and his rule ends;
The Martyr dies and his rule begins”

“सर झुके बस उनकी शहादत में;
जो शहीद हुए हमारी हिफ़ाज़त में।”

Dedicated to my father and other fallen heroes.

Dr. Bharti Sharma