Response to Pakistan provocation will be immediate, intense: New Army Chief

He said the response will be "more than adequate, intense and immediate."

On former Chief Bikram Singh's claim that India has given a befitting reply to beheading of India soldiers, the new chief said: "My predecessor has already conveyed this yesterday, I can only tell you that our response to any such act will be more than adequate in future and it will be intense and immediate.

He was given a guard of honour on Friday.

The General is an alumnus of Sainik School, Chittorgarh.  He joined National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1970 and was commissioned into 4/5 GR (FF) in Jun 1974.

He holds a Masters Degrees in Management Studies from Osmania University and Strategic Studies from Chennai University.

The General Officer has attended various career courses in India and abroad which include ‘Long Defence Management Course’ at CDM, Secunderabad, NDC Course at New Delhi, Executive Course in USA and Senior  Mission  Leaders Course (UN) in Kenya.

In a distinguished military career, spanning four decades, he has tenanted critical Command and Staff appointments which include tactical and operational levels of command in active counter insurgency and proxy war environment in the North East and Jammu & Kashmir.

The General possesses tremendous operational experience which includes a tenure as a Company Commander in Op PAWAN in Sri Lanka, raising and commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Nagaland and  an Infantry Brigade deeply committed in intense Counter Insurgency Operations in the Kashmir Valley. 

He also holds the distinction of commanding a Mountain Division in Jammu & Kashmir, deployed on the Line of Control in High Altitude Area.

Prior to taking over the appointment of ‘Vice Chief of the Army Staff’ on Jan 1, the General Officer was General Officer Commanding of a Corps, looking after the dual responsibility of Counter Insurgency Operations in the North Eastern States, as well as conventional operational tasks along the Indo-China Border and later as General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command.

The General has served as an Instructor in Army School of Mechanical Transport (ASMT), Bangalore as well as Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. He has also tenanted important staff appointments at the Divisional and the Corps levels.  He has also held important assignments in Army Headquarters, both as a Colonel and as a Brigadier.

The General Officer has tenanted the appointment of IG SFF, Cabinet Secretariat prior to his promotion as a Corps Commander.  The General has been holding the appointment of Colonel of the Regiment, 5 GR (FF) from  Apr 19, 2011 and the President Gorkha Brigade from Jan 1, 2014.

The General is highly decorated and is the recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

He is also a keen sportsman and takes special interest in riding and swimming.