Lt Gen BS Raju appointed India's next Vice Chief of Army Staff

New Delhi, Apr 29: Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju has been appointed as the succeeding Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He will take on his responsibilities on May 1. Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, the General Officer was tenanting the appointment of Director General Military Operations during the standoff on the LAC.

 

 

 

 

An alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur and National Defence Academy in Pune, Lt Gen BS Raju was commissioned in the JAT Regiment on Dec 15, 1984. He commanded his Battalion during OP PARAKRAM in the Western Theatre and in Jammu - Kashmir. Lt Gen Raju also holds the distinction of commanding the Uri brigade along the Line of Control, a Counter Insurgency Force and the Chinar Corps in the Kashmir Valley. The General Officer also served as the Commandant, Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan.

 

 

 

 

 

During his illustrious service of 38 years, he has tenanted many important regimental, staff and instructional appointments in the Army Head Quarters and in field formations to include, Colonel Military Secretary Legal in Military Secretary branch, Brigadier General Staff of the operationally active White Knight Corps, Deputy Director General Military Operations and Director General Staff Duties.

 

The General officer is a qualified helicopter pilot having carried out operational flying in Somalia, as part of UNOSOM II. In order to honor his contribution to the service, Lt Gen Raju has been awarded Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Yudh Seva Medal.