Monday, January 31 2005 16:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Gen Joginder Jaswant Singh, a hero of anti-terrorist operations, today (Jan 31, 2005) became the first Sikh Army officer to don the mantle of new Chief of the Army Staff.

A highly-decorated Maratha Light officer, Gen J J Singh is the 22nd Army Chief. He accepted the Chief's baton at a ceremony from the outgoing Chief Gen N C Vij in New Delhi.

Having experiences of a variety of first-hand combats in his over 12 years of field duty, Gen Singh has the distinction of being decorated with Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

He has also held senior staff appointments like serving as Additional Director General in the Military Operations during the Kargil conflict, Commander-in-Chief of Army Training Command and Commander-in-Chief of the Western Army Command.

He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff's commendation for receiving wounds in a battle against militants in anti-terrorist operations in J&K as a Brigade Commander.

'J J', as he is popularly called in the Army, has been the brain behind the evolution of a new doctrine for the Indian Army, which was released recently.