Indian Army Initiates Termination Process for Absent Special Forces Major

The Indian Army has commenced proceedings to terminate Major Sharyf Bhonsle, an officer from the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), who has been absent without leave since August 2014. This decision follows extensive verification and the issuance of a Show Cause Notice under the Army Act, 1950.

Major Bhonsle, a graduate of the National Defence Academy and a resident of Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra, was commissioned into the Army in 2009. At the time of his absence, he was assigned as Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, a Lieutenant General based in Itanagar.

According to official records, Major Bhonsle went on annual leave in mid-2014 but did not return to duty as scheduled. Military investigations revealed he had traveled abroad to participate in a para-jumping festival in Spain without obtaining necessary clearance from Military Intelligence. His activities were later traced to base jumping in northwest Norway through social media and intelligence inputs. No reports of incidents or accidents involving him were received from these locations.

Despite thorough search efforts and coordination with civil authorities, Major Bhonsle’s whereabouts have remained unknown for over a decade. An Apprehension Roll was issued by the Army in 2016 to locate him, but it was unsuccessful, leading to his declaration as a deserter under military regulations.

On 27 October 2025, the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) issued a Show Cause Notice to Major Bhonsle, citing his prolonged absence and actions as “serious misconduct” and “grave misconduct.” The notice, served at his family residence in Pune, provided a 30-day period for him to respond with a written explanation to avoid termination of his commission.

With no response received within the allocated time, the Army proceeded with termination proceedings on an ex-parte basis as per established military protocols. Defence sources indicated that the action is a routine administrative measure to ensure discipline, particularly within specialized units like the Special Forces.

As of April 2026, the termination process remains ongoing, with no official confirmation of its conclusion. Officials have noted that the prolonged absence raises the possibility that the officer may not be alive, though this remains unverified. This case is noted as one of the longest unresolved absences of a serving Indian Army officer in recent history.

Major Bhonsle’s family has not issued any public statements, and no further details have emerged about his current situation. The developments were initially reported by defence and regional media in mid-February 2026 and have been confirmed by multiple independent sources.

The Indian Army asserts that these proceedings are conducted in strict accordance with the Army Act, 1950, and relevant regulations to maintain accountability and operational readiness. Any future updates from the Ministry of Defence or the Integrated Headquarters will supersede current public records.