1971 Indo-Pak War veteran Major General Rajendra Nath passes away

Chandigarh, January 19

Major General Rajendra Nath, a veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, breathed his last at the age of 98 on Thursday from age-related illness. His mortal remains were consigned to the flames here today.

He had joined the Indian Military Academy in 1946 and was commissioned into the 11th Gorkha Rifles in 1947. While serving with the Military Intelligence Directorate at Army Headquarters, he became one of the first officers to carry out ground reconnaissance into Aksai Chin area in 1952, reporting on Chinese activity in that area.

During the 1971 war, he commanded 62 Mountain Brigade that had fought several key battles around Madhumati river near the town of Kumarkhali in the eastern theatre. Elements of Pakistan’s 9 Division, including its commander Maj Gen Ansari, had surrendered before him.

Later, he commanded the Infantry Division in Jammu and Kashmir and served as Commandant of the Indian Military Academy in 1979-80. Besides attending a course at the Canadian Army Staff College, he was also posted as an instructor at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He retired in 1982.