Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar

Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar hailed from Dhamner village in Koregaon Tehsil of Satara district, Maharashtra. Raised in a modest rural environment, he grew up amidst values of simplicity, perseverance, and strong cultural traditions. Life in the village demanded hard work and self-reliance, and these early experiences instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility, resilience, and respect for community and family. He completed his early education in his native village, where he was known for his sincerity and disciplined nature. From a young age, he nurtured a desire to serve the nation, inspired both by patriotic ideals and by a determination to bring honour to his family. Motivated by this aspiration, he chose to join the Indian Army upon completing his initial schooling. He was recruited into the 20th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry (20 MLI), a regiment celebrated for its distinguished combat record, rich legacy, and unwavering commitment to national service. Becoming part of this proud battalion marked the beginning of a demanding yet deeply honourable journey in uniform. During his training, Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar underwent rigorous physical conditioning and comprehensive military instruction. He was trained in essential soldiering skills, including weapon handling, fieldcraft, tactical movement, and operational procedures required for active service.  After serving for sometime, he entered into matrimony with Ms Hirabai, who became his life partner and a constant source of strength and 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 Dashrath Shrisagar’s unit, 20 Maratha Light Infantry (20 MLI), was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir to undertake critical operational responsibilities along the sensitive Ceasefire Line. This deployment formed part of India’s broader defensive posture to counter increasing ceasefire violations, infiltration attempts, and hostile activity across the border. The 20th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry traced its lineage to the former Baroda State Forces, of which it became the sole successor unit after Independence. 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. Over time, it established a reputation as a disciplined, dependable, and battle-ready infantry unit, imbued with the regimental spirit of courage, endurance, and unwavering loyalty to duty. 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 and tensions along the border intensified, 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—an area marked by volatility and frequent confrontation.

This role required constant vigilance, physical endurance, and operational readiness in an environment characterised by recurring hostilities, attempted infiltrations, and unpredictable enemy actions. The terrain was rugged and challenging, with soldiers operating from exposed forward positions under difficult climatic and tactical conditions. The troops of 20 MLI carried out sustained surveillance, area domination patrols, and defensive tasks aimed at preventing infiltration and safeguarding Indian positions. Though such duties often appeared routine, they involved considerable 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. The assault was swift and heavy, designed to overrun the patrol and test Indian defences. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the soldiers refused to yield ground and engaged the adversary with determination, displaying remarkable resolve and regimental pride. During this fierce engagement, Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar exhibited exemplary courage and steadfast devotion to duty. Fighting under intense enemy fire, he continued to carry out his responsibilities and supported his comrades despite the grave danger surrounding them. His conduct reflected calmness, resilience, and an unflinching commitment to the mission. In the course of the action, he and several fellow soldiers sustained severe injuries while resisting the attack and defending their position. The evacuation of the wounded was carried out under extremely hazardous conditions, with comrades risking their own lives to move the injured to safety. They were rushed to an Army medical facility for urgent treatment; however, despite the best efforts of the attending medical teams, Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar 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 Dagdu Power, 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 Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar and his comrades reflects the finest traditions of the Indian Army—placing duty before self, standing steadfast in adversity, and making the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation. 

Sepoy Dashrath Shrisagar is survived by his wife, Smt Hirabai.