Gosavi Keshav Somgir

Biography

Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir hailed from Sri Rampur village in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. A brave and committed soldier, he served with the 24th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, an infantry regiment with a proud martial tradition. By November 2018 he was a seasoned soldier serving along one of the most sensitive and volatile stretches of the Line of Control. During November 2018, Naik Somgir's unit was deployed in the Nowshera sector near the Line of Control in Rajouri district, tasked with manning the forward posts. The sector was highly restive, with enemy forces frequently resorting to unprovoked firing from across the border. On 10 November, Naik Somgir was deployed at a forward post in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector, holding the line in the face of a persistent threat. At around 2:45 pm on 11 November 2018, Pakistani army troops fired sniper shots near the Raja post of the 24 Maratha Light Infantry battalion. The Indian Army retaliated in a befitting manner, triggering a heavy exchange of fire. During this engagement, Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir was seriously wounded and was rushed to a nearby military hospital. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his injuries. A disciplined and dedicated soldier, he laid down his life in the service of the nation at the age of 29.