Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command today.
He assumed office after paying homage to the martyrs at Vijay Smarak followed by reviewing a guard of honour at Garrison Battalion Parade Ground.
The General was commissioned into 9 Kumaon in 1984 and has extensive operational experience in Sri Lanka, Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. He commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in Kashmir, a Mountain Brigade and an Infantry Division actively committed in Counter Insurgency Operations in Jammu and Kashmir and strategically important corps in the North East.
A defence press release said that he has rich experience by virtue of serving in varied staff appointments to include key appointments in Military Secretary’s Branch, Operational Logistics Directorate, Adjutant General’s Branch in IHQ of MoD (Army). He also served as Colonel GS of a Division and BGS (Ops) of a Corps in a highly active counter insurgency environment.
He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command, National Defence College and served twice in the United Nations as a Military Observer in Sierra Leone and Chief Operations Officer in Sudan.
For his contribution to the nation, he has been conferred with Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishist Seva Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card and GOC-in-C Easter Command Commendation Card.
