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Hemant Karkare Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth12 December 1954

Age54 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceSagar, Madhya Pradesh

ProfessionIndian Police Service officer; Chief of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseKavita Karkare (deceased)

FamilyChildren: Akash Karkare; Jui Karkare Navare; Sayali Karkare

Hemant Karkare Biography

Hemant Kamlakar Karkare was an Indian Police Service officer who served in multiple security and intelligence roles and was the chief of Maharashtra's Anti

Early life and background

Hemant Kamlakar Karkare was born on 12 December 1954 in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. He grew up in Nagpur, Maharashtra, where he attended Chittranjan Das Municipal Primary School and New English High School. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, graduating in 1975.

After completing his engineering degree, Karkare worked in the civilian sector, including positions reported at the National Productivity Council and Hindustan Lever Limited. He later decided to pursue a career in the civil services and joined the Indian Police Service in the 1982 batch (35RR), allocated to the Maharashtra cadre.

Career

Karkare’s career spanned about 25 years and covered a range of policing, intelligence and anti-corruption assignments. Early postings included serving as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Bhusawal in 1984 and as Superintendent of Police in the Naxal-affected Chandrapur district in 1991. Over time he held senior administrative roles in Mumbai, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration).

He spent significant periods working in intelligence and investigative roles. Reports indicate a long association with the Research and Analysis Wing, serving for about nine years and undertaking overseas assignments. He is also recorded as having worked with the cabinet secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office for a separate six-year period, and with United Nations assignments. Within Maharashtra policing, he served in specialist units such as the Economic Offence Wing and the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Karkare became best known as the chief of Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). In that capacity he led investigations into multiple bomb and blast cases in the Mumbai metropolitan region and surrounding areas, including cases in Thane, Vashi and Panvel. His reputation as an investigator was reflected in awards received during his career, including the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Earlier, while at the National Police Academy, he had been recognized with the Best Cadet Trophy.

Accounts by former intelligence officials and colleagues describe investigative breakthroughs tied to Karkare’s work while posted as an intelligence officer in Mumbai. He was credited with identifying a significant link in the investigation following the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814.

Public profile

Karkare married and was father to three children: a son, Akash, and two daughters, Jui and Sayali. His parents were Kamlakar Karkare, who worked for Central Railways, and Kumudini Karkare, who was a teacher in Nagpur. He had two younger brothers, Shirish and Pravin.

Beyond his professional life, family recollections describe personal interests such as reading and wood carving. His daughter Jui later wrote a memoir about him, published in 2019.

Death and legacy

On the night of 26 November 2008, during the coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Karkare was among the officers who responded to attacks at multiple locations. He reached the area near Cama and Albless Hospital and, along with other officers, went to confront the attackers. Reports state that he was shot during the encounter and died on 27 November 2008 after being taken toward hospital; he was 54 years old.

In recognition of his service and sacrifice, the government posthumously awarded him the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry decoration, on 26 January 2009.

Latest updates

In 2019 his daughter Jui Karkare Navare published a memoir titled Hemant Karkare – A Daughter’s Memoir. Media and official accounts continue to reference his investigative work, the circumstances of his death in the 26/11 attacks, and the honors he received posthumously.
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Recent Work

Hemant Karkare – A Daughter’s Memoir

Memoir about Hemant Karkare written by his daughter Jui Karkare Navare and published in 2019.

2019
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Career Highlights

  1. Joined the Indian Police Service (IPS), 1982 batch (35RR)
  2. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bhusawal (1984)
  3. Superintendent of Police, Chandrapur district (1991)
  4. Served in Research and Analysis Wing (reported nine years)
  5. Chief of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)
  6. Worked with Economic Offence Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hemant Karkare born?

12 December 1954

What is Hemant Karkare known for?

Indian Police Service officer; Chief of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad

What is Hemant Karkare’s marital status?

Married (at time of death)

Who is Hemant Karkare married to?

Kavita Karkare (deceased)