Sepoy Romit Tanaji Chavan SM

Sepoy Romit Tanaji Chavan hailed from Shigav village of Sangli district in Maharashtra. Son of Shri Tanaji Chavan, he had one younger sister as his sibling. He joined the Army on 17 Mar 2017 after completing his initial school education at the age of 18 years. He was recruited into the 4 Mahar Battalion of the Mahar Regiment, a regiment of the Infantry known for its fearless soldiers and numerous battle honours. After serving for some time with his parent unit Sep Romit Tanaji was deputed to serve with 1 RR battalion deployed in J & K for counter-insurgency operations.

Shopian Operation: 19 Feb 2022

During Feb 2022, Sep Romit Tanaji's unit 1 RR was deployed in the Shopian district of J & K along the LOC. As a number of militants were active in the unit’s AOR(Area of Responsibility), the unit troops had to maintain a very high state of preparedness at all times and had to undertake operations at a short notice. Based on the information from the intelligence sources, about the presence of some hardcore militants in the Chreymarg area of the Shopian district, the security forces decided to launch a search and cordon operation in the suspected area on 19 Feb 2022. Sep Romit Tanaji was made part of the team that was assigned the task of undertaking this operation. 

As planned the security forces launched a joint operation on 19 Feb 2022 comprising the elements of 1 RR from Army, CRPF and SOG(Special Operations Group) of J&K Police. Sep Romit Tanaji and his comrades reached the suspected area in Tsermarg village of Shopian district in the early morning of 19 Feb. As the operation was underway and the troops closed in towards the suspected house, a heavy automatic fire was drawn from the house endangering the civilians present around the house. Sensing that the lives of many civilians would be in danger, the troops evacuated the civilians including ladies and children to a safe location and engaged with the terrorists.

Sep Romit Tanaji and his comrades managed to eliminate one terrorist and swung into action to take on the rest of them. The gun battle continued for several hours as the terrorists were heavily armed and the troops were trying their best to minimize the collateral damage. However, during the fierce exchange of fire, Sep Romit Tanaji and Sep Santosh Yadav got severely injured. They later succumbed to their injuries and were martyred. Sep Romit Tanaji Chavan was a brave and committed soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 23 years in the line of his duty. He was given the gallantry award, “Sena Medal” (posthumous) for his exceptional courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.

Sep Romit Tanaji Chavan is survived by his father Shri Tanaji Chavan, mother and younger sister.