Maroof Raza, ex-Army officer, defence expert and Indo-Pak commentator, passes away after battling illness

Major Maroof Raza, a retired Indian Army officer and prominent defence analyst, has passed away, marking the end of an era in India’s televised strategic commentary. Widely recognised for his expertise on national security, counter-insurgency operations, and India-Pakistan relations, Raza was a familiar face on television debates, known for his sharp insights and distinctive presentation style.

Born in 1959, Raza served in the Indian Army, gaining hands-on experience in counter-insurgency operations. This on-ground exposure became the foundation for his later work as a strategic affairs commentator, lending credibility to his analysis on terrorism, border tensions, and internal security.

Raza received the Times of India Fellowship in 1994 and held visiting fellowships at the Centre for Policy Research in Delhi, the Henry L. Stimson Center in Washington, and King’s College London’s War Studies Department. Between 1998 and 2007, he was a visiting professor and South Asia Regional Director at Middlesex University and lectured extensively in India and abroad on strategic affairs.


Raza became a household name through his appearances on Times Now as a consultant and strategic affairs expert. He anchored the 20-part series Line of Duty, focused on the Indian Armed Forces; an episode on the Siachen Glacier won a military documentary award at the 2005 Rome Film Festival and the series entered the Limca Book of Records as India’s first military reality show. He also hosted Latitude and India Risk Report, further establishing his voice in national security discourse.

Beyond television, Raza served as Strategic Affairs Editorial Adviser to Times Now, Editor-at-Large of Fauji India magazine, Mentor of Security Watch India, and Board Adviser on Strategic Risk and Global Geopolitics at IIRIS Consulting. He authored numerous articles in leading newspapers and appeared on global platforms, including BBC World Service radio. An alumnus and former Head Boy of Mayo College, he was also associated with King’s College London and was admired for his commanding screen presence and in-depth strategic knowledge.