ML Naidu named Indian Army vice chief

NEW DELHI: Lt. Gen. Milan Lalitkumar Naidu was on Thursday named the new Indian Army vice chief. He will take over on Oct 1 from Lt. Gen. Deepak Kapoor, who will assume office as the army chief the same day.

Naidu, who currently heads the army's Shimla-based Training Command, had his early education at St Joseph's Convent, Bhopal, and continuing a family tradition, joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, where he excelled in marksmanship.  

Commissioned in the Rajput Regiment in December 1967, he has had a long and chequered career, having served in all sectors and terrain in India and abroad. 

As commanding officer of 5 Rajput, Naidu participated in Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka and was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal.

He has had varied operational staff experience, including a stint at the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters. He was also India's defence attaché in Germany.

Naidu is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service.

Lt. Gen. J.K. Mohanty, presently the commandant of the Army War College, will succeed Naidu as head of the Army Training Command. 

In other appointments announced on Thursday, Lt. Gen. T.K. Sapru, presently a corps commander in Jammu and Kashmir, is to be the next head of the Chandimandir-based Western Army Command. He will take over from Lt. Gen. Daljeet Singh, who is retiring on Oct 31. Sapru is from the Gorkha regiment.

Lt. Gen. N. Thamburaj, presently a corps commander in Punjab, is to be the next head of the Pune-based Southern Command. He will take over from Lt. Gen. Aditya Singh, who is retiring Sep 30. Thamburaj is from the Corps of Engineers.