A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier's joyous homecoming for the birth of his child ended in unspeakable tragedy when he died in a road accident in Maharashtra's Satara district. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, his wife attended his final rites just hours after delivering their baby girl, arriving at the funeral on a stretcher.
A Joyful Leave Turns Tragic
Pramod Parshuram Jadhav, a 32-year-old BSF jawan and resident of Dare village in Satara taluka, was currently posted in Ladakh. He had come home on leave about eight days ago, eagerly anticipating and supporting his wife through the final stages of her pregnancy. His leave was meant for celebration and family bonding.
The tragedy struck on the evening of Friday, January 12, 2026. Jadhav was riding his motorcycle towards Vadhe Phata for some personal work. According to reports, a tempo (a three-wheeler goods vehicle) rammed into his bike. The impact threw Jadhav onto the road, where he was subsequently hit by another two-wheeler, sustaining serious injuries.
Final Journey with a Newborn
He was rushed to a hospital, but the doctors could not save him. He was pronounced dead around 10 pm on Friday. As his family grappled with this devastating loss, a new life entered the world. In the early hours of the morning, Jadhav's wife gave birth to a baby girl.
The cruel juxtaposition of life and death unfolded on Saturday evening during Jadhav's funeral at his native Dare village. In a scene that moved everyone present to tears, his wife was brought to the cremation ground on a stretcher, directly from the hospital. The couple's newborn daughter, merely eight hours old, was also brought to the site so she could see her father one last time.
A State Funeral and a Nation's Salute
As the grieving wife was brought near the coffin, she broke down completely. Her profound sorrow resonated with the large gathering of mourners, which included local villagers, citizens, police personnel, and ex-servicemen. The Indian Army jawan was accorded a State funeral with full honours, a solemn tribute to his service to the nation.
A district official present at the funeral poignantly captured the moment, stating that the woman had delivered the baby just eight hours prior and the infant was brought for the final rites. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the Dare village community and stands as a stark reminder of the sudden fragility of life, even in moments meant for pure joy.
