New Delhi:
Lt General V K Singh, the Eastern Army Commander and senior-most infantry officer, was on Friday named as the next Army chief and will take over his new post after incumbent General 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.
Reacting after being appointed as the next Army chief, Lieutenant General Vk Singh said: "I am grateful for this honour and the responsibility which our leaders have bestowed on me. I shall carry out my duties well to lead one of the world's finest Army. It will be my endeavor to lead the brave men while keeping up with the best tradition of the Indian Army and upholding the Indian Constitution."
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 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. (With NDTV inputs)