The nation lost a rare luminary in the recent passing of Major Maroof Raza. He was larger than life figure, an imposing personality who carried himself with confidence and expressed himself with clarity. He was an expert in the field of national security, counter insurgency, and India-Pakistan relations.
His experience in the Army laid the foundation of his authoritative knowledge and understanding on the topics of conflict, terrorism, border tensions, and security in the region. A self-disciplined and impartial thinker, Maroof was respected by the military and the civilian community alike because of his disciplined style and intellectual rigour. He had the ability to connect the gap between military doctrine and its public understanding. His work was a ‘bridge’ between academia and the practitioner on ground as far as the viewers were concerned.
He never engaged in speculation and had a rational, authoritative approach, using a responsible language in an environment where sensationalism usually rules. His talent of making the geo political security complexities seem simple endeared him to many.
He will always be remembered as one of the most credible voices on television on matters of national security. He had the ability to articulate security issues and geopolitics in a manner that cut out the jargon without a jarring pitch in a manner that could be understood by everyone. He would explain rather than exaggerate.
In the days of din on television he had his distinctive style. When others raised their voices, he lowered his baritone voice and yet his point was never lost. When debates veered toward hysterics, he was insightful and gently brought them back to the facts.
While Maroof’s presence will be missed but his thoughts and writings will endure and his imprint will remain. A brilliant scholar and analyst, respected author, and powerful orator he set the benchmarks and was a national asset. The strategic community will remain poorer with his loss.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X “Shri Maroof Raza Ji made a rich contribution to the world of journalism. He enriched public discourse with his nuanced understanding of defence, national security as well as strategic affairs.
The Legacy of his work
Apart from that he was a series presenter including the Line of Duty, which won a military documentary award at the 2005, Rome film festival, and entered the Limca Book of Records. He has also presented Latitude, Defenders, and India Risk Report. As the host he brought a rare perspective to conversations.
In addition, he was the publisher of the Salute Magazine and was a Strategic Risk and Geopolitics advisor with IIRIS Consulting. He also spoke at multiple forums and think tanks in India and abroad and his company Flags Media hosted some of the most well-structured seminars. Garry Singh the President of IIRIS remembers Maroof not just as ‘an expert in global threat analysis, military technology and policy advocacy but a role model who embodied the values of integrity, humility and social responsibility.’
His books were centered on the low intensity conflict in Kashmir region, the relationship between India and Pakistan, and the border dispute involving India and China. He spent a lot of time in research and interactions with people as a result he was able to focus on the historical, geopolitical, and strategic aspects of security issues. He challenged the readers to think critically on complex issues, while he did sensationalise facts yet he never shied away from bringing them to the forefront and was always direct in his view.
Amongst his books was ‘Contested Lines’ which he coauthored with Iqbal Malhotra. The book examined the details of how their differing boundary claims are the basis of Sino-Indian boundary disputes. It will surely be among the most valued books on the subject and its attendant complexities. The hallmark of Maroof’s books remains his depth of research, focus and ability to put across facts in a logical manner by connecting all the dots and looking at issues from a different perspective.
His fight with the dreaded Cancer
The writing had been on the wall for a while, Major Maroof Raza the renowned defence analyst first started his battle with cancer in 2017, this was multiple myeloma but, in a few years, it was behind him. He then contracted Covid but was able to successfully recover. What finally got him was blood cancer which he got in May 2023 and for which he underwent a stem cell transfer. Being Maroof, he battled all these like a valiant soldier and was always positive. But on 31 December 2025, he was back in Fortis Hospital Gurgaon with complications of pneumonia, bacterial and fungal infections. Unfortunately, he lost the war and the end came on 26 February 2026.
Even during his illness, which he carried with rare dignity, he remained engaged in his work. He continued writing and speaking on television even at times when he was in hospital. For him national security matters always came first.
From Mayo College to St Stephen’s and then IMA
Born in April 1959 in a military family, he was educated in Mayo College, Ajmer and St Stephen’s College, Delhi. He then joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun and was commissioned in December 1980 to 6 Grenadiers the Battalion his father Brigadier MM Raza had commanded. He later served in 14 Mechanised Infantry and was also posted as an Instructor to the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun. Maroof was a naturally gifted sportsman who excelled in every game he partook in. In St Stephen’s College amongst other games, he pursued Athletics, and with his tall and handsome personality, had already left his competitors far behind.
He left the Army in 1993 to pursue an MA in War Studies at King’s College London and got an M. Phil in International Relations at Cambridge University. In 1994, he also won a Times of India Fellowship and had a visiting fellow at Centre of Policy Research, Henry L Stimson and King College, London.
Soon after leaving the Army, he became a household name, while working with NDTV and Times Now as a strategic affairs consultant. He also wrote a number of books which he said would always remain his most important calling cards.
I first met Maroof in St Stephens College where he was a year senior. He was part of the athletics team in college and was a larger-than-life personality. Our paths then met again when I joined the IMA a year after him but our friendship grew when both of us were posted as Instructors at the Indian Military Academy and Tina and I lived on the floor above Anis and Maroof. After that we have remained close friends.
It was a pleasure interacting with Maroof and he loved his conversations and food. He could regale anyone with his anecdotes in the Army which ranged from tales about Sepoy Dharamvir in the jungles of Mizoram to his interactions with General Sundarji. It was not the story but the manner in which it was related with a Haryanvi accent in one case, to General Sundarji’s drawl in the other. He could relate jokes with an uncanny expression and seriousness.
Maroof was a caring, loving, and affectionate husband to Anis, and father to Jehangir and Jehanara. The family stood by him, extending all the support and strength during his prolonged illness. While the loss is too great, may they remember his better times, his towering personality, his baritone voice, and his thundering laughter.
Rest in peace my friend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maj Gen VK Singh, VSM was commissioned into The Scinde Horse in Dec 1983. The officer has commanded an Independent Recce Sqn in the desert sector, and has the distinction of being the first Armoured Corps Officer to command an Assam Rifles Battalion in Counter Insurgency Operations in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as the first General Cadre Officer to command a Strategic Forces Brigade. He then commanded 12 Infantry Division (RAPID) in Western Sector. The General is a fourth generation army officer.
Major General Jagatbir Singh was commissioned into 18 Cavalry in December 1981. During his 38 years of service in the Army he has held various command, staff and instructional appointments and served in varied terrains in the country. He has served in a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission as a Military Observer in Iraq and Kuwait. He has been an instructor to Indian Military Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a prolific writer in defence & national security and adept at public speaking.
