Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Maroof Raza as someone who enriched public discourse with his nuanced understanding of defence, national security, as well as strategic affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Maroof Raza as someone who enriched public discourse with his nuanced understanding of defence, national security, as well as strategic affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Maroof Raza as someone who enriched public discourse with his nuanced understanding of defence, national security, as well as strategic affairs.

Noted journalist and strategic affairs expert Maroof Raza passed away in Gurugram on Thursday, February 26. He was 66.

Maroof Raza, a former Army officer, was undergoing treatment for cancer. He was a well-known media commentator on global and national security issues. Counter-insurgency, India–Pakistan and the Kashmir issue, Sino-Indian relations, and terrorism were all his areas of expertise.

After attending Mayo College, Ajmer, and St Stephen's College, Delhi (History Hons, 1976–79), he pursued his Master's in War Studies from King's College London and an MPhil in International Relations from Cambridge University. He served in the Indian Army from 1980 to 1994 in the Grenadiers and the Mechanised Infantry Regiments, and as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy.

He was the author of many books, including Contested Lands, Wars and No Peace over Kashmir, and Confronting Terrorism. Maroof Raza wrote for THE WEEK, discussing strategic and military affairs concerning India and its neighbours. In 2023, he reviewed Iqbal Chand Malhotra’s book, The Bomb, the Bank, the Mullah and the Poppies—which he called a "thoroughly researched" work on the "agenda of Pakistan’s ‘deep state’ and the murky world of how money was acquired from the heads of states and billionaires".

Maroof Raza also worked as the Consulting Editor (Strategic Affairs) for the Times TV network, where he hosted the weekend strategic affairs TV show, 'Latitude'. His series titled 'Tales of Valour', shot for Times Now and Mirror Now, was later made available on the Discovery Channel. Raza was also the publisher of the monthly magazine, 'SALUTE to the Indian Soldier'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over his demise.

“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. Pained by his passing. Condolences to his family and friends,” the Prime Minister said on X.