Sepoy Dagdu Power

Sepoy Dagdu Power hailed from Anari village in Chiplun Tehsil of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. Growing up in a rural setting, he was nurtured in an environment marked by simplicity, hard work, and deeply rooted traditional values. He completed his early education in his native village, where he developed a strong sense of responsibility and dedication from a young age. Inspired by a desire to serve the nation and uphold the honour of his family, he chose the path of military service. Upon completion of his initial schooling, he was recruited into the 20th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, a regiment renowned for its illustrious combat history, steadfast traditions, and exemplary service to the nation. His induction into this distinguished battalion marked the beginning of a demanding yet honourable military journey. During his training, he underwent rigorous physical conditioning and professional instruction, acquiring essential soldiering skills such as fieldcraft, weapon handling, and tactical operations. Immersed in the regimental ethos of courage, resilience, discipline, and teamwork, he steadily transformed into a dependable and committed soldier.  After serving for a few years, he entered into matrimony with Ms. Shakuntala, who became his partner in life and a pillar of support throughout his military career.

Border Operation  (J&K): 23 Sep 1964

In 1964, during a period of heightened tension along the India–Pakistan border, Sepoy Dagdu Power’s unit, 20 Maratha Light Infantry (20 MLI), was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir to undertake operational responsibilities along the sensitive Ceasefire Line. The battalion traces its lineage to the former Baroda State Forces, of which it became the sole successor unit. It was formally raised on 27 May 1949 following the integration of the princely State of Baroda with the erstwhile Province of Bombay. Carrying forward the proud martial traditions of the state forces, the battalion was absorbed into the Indian Army’s Maratha Light Infantry Regiment and soon earned a reputation as a disciplined, reliable, and battle-ready infantry unit. In November 1960, 20 Maratha Light Infantry moved to Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir under the command of 19 Infantry Division. As the operational situation evolved, the battalion was subsequently redeployed to the Rampur area in Kathua district, where it came under the operational control of 161 Infantry Brigade. Here, the unit was entrusted with the demanding responsibility of manning forward pickets and conducting regular patrols along the Ceasefire Line. This role required constant vigilance, physical endurance, and unwavering readiness in an environment marked by recurring hostilities, infiltration attempts, and unpredictable enemy activity. Operating in rugged terrain and exposed forward locations, the soldiers of 20 MLI carried out sustained surveillance and domination patrols to prevent infiltration and safeguard Indian defences. Though these duties often appeared routine, they involved significant risk and demanded exceptional fieldcraft, alertness, and courage from every soldier.

On 23 September 1964, during one such patrol along the Ceasefire Line, a detachment of 20 Maratha Light Infantry came under a sudden and intense attack by an enemy force in overwhelming strength. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the patrol stood its ground and engaged the adversary with determination, upholding the highest traditions of the regiment. During this fierce engagement, Sep Dagdu Power displayed exemplary courage and steadfast devotion to duty. Fighting under heavy fire, he continued to carry out his responsibilities and support his comrades in the face of grave danger. In the course of the action, he and several fellow soldiers sustained severe injuries while resisting the attack and defending their position. The wounded were evacuated under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions and rushed to an Army medical facility for urgent treatment. Despite the best efforts of the attending medical teams, Sep Dagdu Power succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Other brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the same action included Naib Subedar Raghunath Kadam, Lance Naik Hari Kumbhar, Sepoy Bajrang Shinde, Sepoy Baba Bhosle, Sepoy Janardhan Wagh, Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar, Sepoy Namdev Dhage, Sepoy Ramchandra Chavan, and Sepoy Balkrishna Nanaware. Their collective sacrifice stands as a lasting testament to the courage, camaraderie, and unwavering commitment of the soldiers of the Maratha Light Infantry. The gallant action of Sep Dagdu Power and his comrades reflects the finest traditions of the Indian Army—duty before self, steadfastness in adversity, and supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation.

Sep Dagdu Power is survived by his wife, Smt Shakuntala.