Former Army chief, 1965 war veteran General Vishwa Nath Sharma dies at 96
Army chief General Vishwa Nath Sharma died on Friday at the age of 96, the Indian Army said. He served as the Chief of the
Army chief General Vishwa Nath Sharma died on Friday at the age of 96, the Indian Army said. He served as the Chief of the Army Staff from June 30, 1988 to June 30, 1990, and had a long military career that included active service in the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The Army, led by Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, expressed grief over his death, while the Defence Minister also condoled his demise. General Sharma came from a distinguished military family and was the younger brother of Major Som Nath Sharma, Independent India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee. Read Full Story According to the Army’s website, General Sharma saw action as a major during the 1965 Indo-Pak War in the Lahore Sector.
He commanded an armoured regiment and held important staff and instructional appointments. After the 1965 war, he was to brigadier, commanded a mountain brigade in an insurgency-affected area, and was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1977 for distinguished service. He later commanded an armoured brigade in the Rajasthan desert. In 1980, he was to major general and commanded a mountain division in the western sector. He later rose to the rank of lieutenant general and took over command of a corps in the western sector in 1984. He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service. In a post on X, the Army said, "General Dhiraj Seth, COAS, and All Ranks of the Indian Army express profound grief on the passing of General Vishwa Nath Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, former Chief of the Army Staff.
The Indian Army extends its heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and loved ones." The Defence Minister said, "A distinguished military leader, General Sharma served the Nation with unwavering dedication, courage and honour." Born on June 4, 1930, General Sharma hailed from a family that served the armed forces for two generations and produced three generals. The Army said, "The younger brother of Major Som Nath Sharma, PVC, Independent India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, he upheld his family’s extraordinary legacy of courage and selfless service with distinction." He was educated at Sherwood College, Nainital, and the Prince of Wales’ Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun. He joined the 5th Regular Course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned into the 16 Light Cavalry on June 4, 1950.
General Vishwa Nath Sharma’s death marks the end of the life of a former Army chief whose service spanned key command roles, active combat, and the leadership of the force between 1988 and 1990. Ends With PTI inputs.
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