Who is Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, the new Vice Chief of Army Staff?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- New Vice Chief of Army Staff: Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh takes charge.
- Experienced Leader: 38 years of distinguished service.
- Bravery in Action: Noteworthy contributions in crucial military operations.
- Tribute to Fallen Soldiers: Honored the families of brave soldiers at the National War Memorial.
- Strategic Oversight: Responsible for critical operational areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi, Aug 1 (NationPress) Lt General Pushpendra Singh officially assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff on Friday.
He takes over from Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani, who retired from service on Thursday.
A distinguished officer of the Para (Special Forces), Lt Gen Singh has had a remarkable career spanning 38 years, during which he has held numerous command and staff positions, including leading a Special Forces Unit in the Kashmir Valley and along the Line of Control. He later commanded an Infantry Brigade and a Mountain Division in ‘Op Snow Leopard’ along the Line of Actual Control.
Previously, Lt Gen Singh served as the GOC of a Corps based in Himachal Pradesh, overseeing the sensitive regions of Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot. His extensive knowledge and profound understanding of operational dynamics on both the western and northern borders are noteworthy.
During a solemn ceremony on Friday, he honored Veer Naris and the families of the valiant soldiers who served under him during a daring counter-terror operation in Op Pawan in Sri Lanka in 1989, laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.
Commissioned from the 4th Battalion of The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) in December 1987 after graduating from La Martiniere College, Lucknow, Lucknow University, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lt Gen Singh joined his battalion during the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka. The 4 Para was deployed to the island in October 1987, taking part in significant operations in Jaffna and later in Kilinochchi.
In July 1989, while leading a 13-member Quick Reaction Team from Iranamadu to Kilinochchi, Lt 2/Pushpendra Singh’s convoy was ambushed. Demonstrating remarkable bravery and leadership, he led a fierce counter-assault that neutralized four LTTE terrorists, despite his team suffering casualties, including five courageous soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Singh and two others were seriously injured during the operation.
Upon taking over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, he invited the Veer Naris and family members of the five fallen soldiers from this heroic action to attend the event.
Accompanied by the families, he paid tribute at the Eternal Flame at the National War Memorial and placed floral tributes at the Tyag Chakra, where the names of the five brave hearts from the ambush are honored.