Lt Gen Joshi is chief of Northern Command

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 23

Lt Gen YK Joshi, a hero of the Tiger Hill battle during the 1999 Kargil conflict, was appointed next Northern Command chief on Thursday. He will replace Lt Gen Ranbir Singh.

Lt Gen Joshi, in the past, commanded Leh-based

14 Corps. As a Lt Colonel, he led his unit —13 JAFRIF — to victory over Pakistan in 1999 and captured Tiger Hill.

He was awarded Vir Chakra, the third highest battle honour in the country. Then Army Chief Gen VP Malik had personally congratulated the unit. He has served in the Directorate General of Military Operations, handling China, and has served in Beijing as India’s defence attache.

Capt Vikram Batra laid down his life in the battle. Gen Joshi, then a Lt Col, was commanding his battalion. The battalion under him earned two PVCs, eight Vir Chakras (including for

himself), 14 Sena Medals and the title of the “Bravest of the Brave”.

Gen Joshi has a rare distinction of having commanded a brigade and a division in eastern Ladakh, facing China, under 14 Corps.