Jaipur : Lieutenant General BS Raju took over the reins of Sapta Shakti Command on 01 March 2023 with a solemn ceremony paying tributes to the Bravehearts at the Prerna Sthal, Jaipur Military Station.
Lieutenant General BS Raju, an alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur, Graduate of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun was commissioned into the JAT Regiment on 15 Dec 1984.The General officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Army War College, Mhow. He has the privilege of doing his National Defence College at Royal College of Defence Studies, UK and has also attended distinguished Masters Programme in Counter Terrorism at Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, USA.
The General officer, during his illustrious career of 38 years, has served across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain. The General officer is a qualified helicopter pilot, having done operational flying in Somalia as part of the UN mission. He commanded an infantry battalion during Op PARAKRAM in Western theatre and on Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. He also holds the distinction of commanding a brigade along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir, Counter Insurgency Force in South Kashmir and the prestigious Chinar Corps in Kashmir. The General officer was also Commandant, Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan.
The General officer’s staff and instructional appointments include tenures at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Higher Command Wing, Army War College, Mhow. His critical staff appointments include Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade, Col MS Legal in IHQ of MOD (Army), Brigadier General Staff of an operationally active Corps and DDG Military Operations & DGSD in IHQ of MoD (Army). Prior to taking over as Vice Chief of Army Staff, the General officer was tenanting the appointment of DGMO, IHQ of MoD (Army). The General officer is also the Colonel of the JAT regiment.
For his illustrious contribution to the service, the General officer has been awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command Commendation card.
On assuming Command, the Army Commander extended his warmest greetings to all ranks of Sapta Shakti Command, Veer Naris, Veterans and civil defence employees as well as their family members.