COAS pays Tribute to Former COAS Gen Om Prakash Malhotra
The mortal remains of Gen OP Malhotra (Retired), Ex Chief of Army Staff were laid to rest at Brar Square, Delhi Cantt, today. As per service protocol, all ex Army Chiefs are accorded a funeral with full military honours. General Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Army Staff laid a floral wreath to pay tribute to General OP Malhotra, the former Chief of Army Staff, who had passed away on 29 Dec 2015 due to old age complications at the age of 93 years at his residence in Gurgaon. General Dalbir Singh also expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the former Chief on the irreparable loss. He stated that Gen OP Malhotra was the epitome of a soldier and a statesman who will always be remembered as one of the most prominent Leaders in the annals of Indian Military History.
General OP Malhotra was the 13th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1978 to 1981, the Ambassador of India to Indonesia from 1981 to 1984 and Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 1990 to 1991. He was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery and commanded different Artillery Regiments between November 1950 and July 1961, besides being an instructor at the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. He commanded a Corps in the Western Sector and the Southern Army Command prior to appointment as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. General OP Malhotra, assumed the office of the Chief of the Army Staff in June 1978.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the honorable President of India and the Raksha Mantri. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Ex Army Chiefs (General VN Sharma, General NC Vij, General JJ Singh and General Bikram Singh), Chief of Naval Staff, representative of office of Governor of Punjab, representative of Equestrian Federation of India and a host of serving and retired fraternity of Army were present on the occasion as a mark of respect to the ex army Chief.
The General is survived by Mrs Saroj Malhotra and his two children. His son, Mr Ajai Malhotra was Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, Kuwait, Romania and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York.
Col Rohan Anand, SM