Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam

Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam hailed from Ambavade village in Mahad Tehsil of Raigad district, Maharashtra. He was raised in a rural environment shaped by simplicity, discipline, and strong moral values, and completed his early education in his native village. Motivated by a desire to serve the nation, he joined the Indian Army and was inducted into the 20th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, a regiment renowned for its distinguished history and proud martial traditions. His entry into the battalion marked the beginning of a demanding yet honourable military journey. He fully embraced the regiment’s core values of courage, resilience, discipline, and camaraderie, which shaped him into a reliable and dedicated soldier.

Over the years, Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam served in various operational and field assignments, consistently demonstrating sincerity, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to duty. In recognition of his leadership abilities, experience, and devotion to service, he rose through the ranks and was promoted to Naib Subedar. Alongside his distinguished military service, he maintained a strong and supportive family life. He married Ms Paratibai, whose steadfast encouragement provided him strength as he carried out the demanding responsibilities of serving the nation.

Border Operation (J&K): 23 September 1964

In 1964, amid escalating tensions along the India–Pakistan border, Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam’s unit, 20 Maratha Light Infantry (20 MLI), was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir. The 20th Battalion traces its origins to the former Baroda State Forces and became its sole successor after integration into the Indian Union. Officially raised on 27 May 1949 following the merger of Baroda State with the erstwhile Province of Bombay, the battalion carried forward a proud martial legacy and soon established itself as a disciplined and dependable infantry unit within the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army. In November 1960, the battalion moved to Baramulla under the command of 19 Infantry Division. It was later redeployed to the Rampur area in Kathua district, coming under the operational control of 161 Infantry Brigade. There, it was assigned the demanding task of manning forward pickets and conducting regular patrols along the Ceasefire Line. This responsibility required constant alertness, physical endurance, and readiness in a volatile border environment frequently marked by tension and hostile activity. Operating in rugged terrain and often from exposed forward positions, the soldiers of 20 MLI undertook continuous surveillance and domination patrols to prevent infiltration and secure Indian defences. Though routine in nature, these operations carried considerable risk and demanded exceptional courage, vigilance, and fieldcraft.

On 23 September 1964, during one such patrol along the Ceasefire Line, a detachment of 20 Maratha Light Infantry was suddenly confronted by an enemy force in overwhelming strength. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the patrol responded with resolve and determination, steadfastly holding its ground in keeping with the finest traditions of the regiment. In the ensuing fierce engagement, Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam demonstrated outstanding courage and exemplary leadership. Undeterred by intense enemy fire, he led from the front, motivating his men to remain firm and continue resisting the assault. During the action, he and several of his comrades sustained serious injuries while valiantly defending their position. The wounded were evacuated under extremely hazardous conditions and taken to an Army medical facility. Despite the dedicated efforts of the medical staff, Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam succumbed to his injuries, laying down his life in the service of the nation. The other brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the same action were Lance Naik Hari Kumbhar, Sep Dagdu Power, Sep Bajrang Shinde, Sep Baba Bhosle, Sep Janardhan Wagh, Sep Dashrath Shrisagar, Sep Namdev Dhage, Sep Ramchandra Chavan, and Sep Balkrishna Nanaware. Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam’s bravery, leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger remain a lasting testament to the indomitable spirit and sacrifice of the soldiers of the Maratha Light.

Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam is survived by his wife, Smt Paratibai.