Operation Sindoor Veteran Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar Assumes Command Of Indian Army’s Southern Command

Last Updated:July 01, 2026, 17:37 IST

Soon after taking charge, Lt Gen Pushkar paid homage to fallen soldiers at the Southern Command War Memorial in Pune

Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, one of the country’s most significant operational commands.

He takes over from Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, who has moved to Army Headquarters as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Soon after taking charge, Lt Gen Pushkar paid homage to fallen soldiers at the Southern Command War Memorial in Pune and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Command Headquarters.

Addressing officers and personnel, he underlined the need to maintain the highest level of operational preparedness while strengthening joint operations, accelerating indigenous capability development and embracing new technologies to meet future security challenges.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Pushkar was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988. During a military career spanning more than three decades, he has served in several key command, staff and instructional appointments across operational and strategic formations.

Most recently, he commanded the 2 Corps during Operation Sindoor, where he was credited with providing decisive military leadership. Over the years, he has led an Armoured Regiment in an operational area, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division and a premier Strike Corps in the western sector. His staff assignments include serving as Colonel Military Secretary in a Strike Corps, Colonel General Staff of an Armoured Division, Brigadier Quartermaster General of a Strike Corps, Brigadier General Staff at an Operational Command, Additional Director General of the Armoured Corps and Director General of the Territorial Army.

He has also served as an instructor at the National Defence Academy, helping shape future military leaders.

Lt Gen Pushkar also brings significant international experience to his new role. He was part of the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and later served as Defence and Military Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with concurrent accreditation to Armenia and Belarus. Academically, he is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and has completed higher military education at the Defence Services Staff College, the College of Defence Management and the National Defence College. He also holds master’s degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies and Management Studies, besides an MPhil in Defence and International Relations. A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal, along with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation and three Army Commander’s Commendations, Lt Gen Pushkar said he was confident that all ranks of Southern Command would continue to uphold the Indian Army’s proud traditions while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and operational excellence.

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