Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy)

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, whom the Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had called to negotiate on a ceasefire last month, was on Monday appointed as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). Additionally, he continues to hold the post of DGMO.

The Deputy Chief (Strategy) is a new vertical to oversee the Indian Army's Operations and Intelligence Directorates, among other important branches.

The position is considered one of the most critical appointments within the Indian Army, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence.


On June 4, Lt Gen Ghai was awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 (Phase-II), recognising his distinguished service.

In a press briefing on May 12, two days after the cessation of fire was announced with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Ghai had spoken about the preparedness and coordinated response of the Indian armed forces.

The operation involved precision strikes against terrorist targets without crossing the Line of Control or the International Boundary.

Earlier this year, Lt Gen Ghai had visited Manipur on February 25 to assess the security situation in the state, especially along the Indo-Myanmar Border. He held key meetings with state officials including the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the State Security Advisor, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police. The visit to the conflic-hit region aimed to review the operational preparedness of the Indian Army and assess the status of ongoing border infrastructure projects.

Lt Gen Ghai is a senior officer from the Kumaon Regiment. He has held several key operational roles in his military career. As the GOC of the Chinar Corps before becoming DGMO, he was at the forefront of counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lt Gen Ghai assumed his role as DGMO on October 25 last year.

(With ANI inputs)