Jaipur, July 1 (IANS) Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra, AVSM, SM, on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s South Western Command, headquartered in Jaipur.

Commissioned into the 47 Armoured Regiment in June 1989, Lt Gen Malhotra brings more than 37 years of distinguished military service, with extensive experience in command, staff and instructional appointments across the Indian Army.

Prior to his new assignment, he served as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Eastern Command, where he played a key role in enhancing operational preparedness, organisational effectiveness and institutional cohesion. During his career, Lt Gen Malhotra has commanded formations in some of the Army’s most challenging operational environments, including the Siachen Glacier.

His command assignments include an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Armoured Division and the Desert Corps, giving him extensive expertise in operational planning and multi-domain military operations across varied theatres.

He has also held several important staff appointments covering operational planning, military intelligence, logistics, personnel management, technology integration and strategic communications.

A highly accomplished military scholar, Lt Gen Malhotra holds two Master’s degrees in Defence Studies, including one from King’s College London, along with two M.Phil degrees in Political Science and Defence & Strategic Studies.

He is an alumnus of the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom, the Higher Air Command Course and the National Defence College. Throughout his academic career, he topped several professional military courses.

In recognition of his distinguished service, Lt Gen Malhotra has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Sena Medal (SM), besides receiving several commendations from Army Commanders and the Chief of Army Staff.

In assuming command of the South Western Command, Lt Gen Malhotra takes charge at a time of heightened operational significance in the western theatre. He brings to his responsibilities an established record of operational excellence, strategic clarity and institutional leadership.

The Indian Army remains fully committed to safeguarding national security and territorial integrity under his stewardship of one of its most strategically consequential commands.

–IANS

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