Lt Gen D S Rana Assumes Position as 23rd Colonel of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment

Lieutenant General D S Rana, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, PhD, has officially assumed the position of the 23rd Colonel of the Regiment of the Garhwal Rifles following a ceremony held at the Regimental Centre in Lansdowne. Lt Gen Rana, currently the Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), succeeded Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, the Vice Chief of Army Staff, as the regiment's ceremonial leader.

The transition was marked by a traditional military event, featuring a Guard of Honour and a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial to honor the regiment's fallen soldiers. The Garhwal Rifles, comprising 27 battalions, including a Scouts Battalion, has a rich history of service, with notable contributions during World War I and in significant post-independence military operations, such as the 1962 conflict with China.

Lt Gen D S Rana brings extensive operational and strategic expertise to his new role, having served earlier as the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency. His leadership is expected to enhance the regiment's readiness and adaptability amid ongoing border challenges and the evolving nature of warfare, particularly along India's northern borders.

The Garhwal Rifles Regiment is known for its disciplined ethos and its strong cultural connections with the Garhwali community of Uttarakhand. Over the years, the regiment has demonstrated remarkable valor, with more than 25,000 casualties recorded in various conflicts, highlighting its significant role in India's military history.

As Lt Gen Rana steps into his new role, there is an emphasis on strengthening the regiment's capabilities within the broader framework of India's Indo-Pacific defense strategy. Military officials attending the event expressed confidence in his leadership, which is anticipated to bolster the Garhwal Rifles' operational excellence and its ongoing contributions to national security.