Brave Maratha soldier remembered

Maj Ebrahim of 12 Maratha Infantry is one of the five brave men of Maratha light infantry who will presented the Sena Medal posthumously. He has been chosen for the award for his exemplary bravery in an encounter with the foreign mercenaries during his posting in Jammu and Kashmir sector in 1996, in which apparently he also sacrificed his life.

On April 20 1996, Major Ebrahim, on receiving the information that 12 foreign mercenaries were hiding in a double-storeyed house at village Khumarial in the Jammu and Kashmir sector, immediately set out to nab the militants. With his Quick Reaction Team he cordoned off the house in which the terrorists were hiding. Caring little of his personnel safety, which he never did in 37 years of his adventurous life, Maj Ebrahim rushed into the house spraying bullets and lobbing grenades at the militants and thus killed two of them instantly. While he was moving ahead a snipper bullet hit him on his face and he died on the spot while his team went to finish all the hiding terrorists.

“I was alone with my two sons at Ahmednagar cantonment when I got the shocking news of my husband’s death over the telephone. Shell-shocked I fainted on the spot and neighbours rushed to my children’s rescue,” remarks Rahat who was dreaming of a family reunion hoping that her husband would certainly come for the Bakri Id which was only 10 days ahead.

Narrating his close association with his son-in-law, Ismail Siddique says, “Generally in Muslim community very few people go for higher education and even less in defence. When I met a young adventurous soldier like him infused with life and energy, I instantly selected him as the right match for my daughter.”

Rahat and her two sons Zain and Aman have learnt to live with the memories of the departed. “I will become an army officer like my father and finish off all the militants,” says a tiny Aman with his eyes reflecting the effervescence within, while Zain nods his head in tandem trying to convey the same.