Lt Gen V K Singh next Army chief

Lt General V K Singh, the Eastern Army Commander and senior-most infantry officer, was today named as the next Army chief and will take over his new post after incumbent Gen Deepak Kapoor retires on March 31.

The Defence Ministry issued the order after the Cabinet Committee on Appointments cleared Singh's name for the top post, senior ministry sources said here.

He is the third generation officer from the Rajput regiment.

Singh, a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College, Wellington as well as the Rangers Course at Fort Benning, USA and the US Army War College, Carlisle, was commissioned into the 2 Rajput in June 1970 and commanded the same unit when it was positioned along the LoC.

Experienced in counter insurgency, LoC and high altitude operations, Singh was awarded the Yudh Sena Medal for his distinguished service during 'Operation Pawan' against LTTE in Sri Lanka.

He was also awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for distinguished service while commanding a counter insurgency force.

Singh, who has also seen action in Bangladesh war, served in the the Military Operations Directorate at the Army Headquarters and Brigadier General Staff of a Corps during 'Operation Parakram'.

He has also served as an instructor at the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) headquarters in Bhutan.