Former Chief of Staff of the Northern Command was closely associated with the planning and execution of Operation Meghdoot

Lt Gen JL Malhotra (retd), former Chief of Staff of the Northern Command, passed away in Panchkula on Sunday at the age of 90. As the Brigadier General Staff (BGS) of 15 Corps, he was closely associated with the planning and execution of Operation Meghdoot —India’s pre-emptive move to secure the Siachen Glacier in 1984.

Commissioned into the Sikh Regiment in 1957, Lt Gen Malhotra saw extensive action in early counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland with 5 Sikh, and later commanded the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment (1 Sikh). Notably, 1 Sikh was the historic battalion that first landed in Srinagar in October 1947 to save the Kashmir Valley from Pakistani raiders — an event now commemorated annually as Infantry Day.

During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, he served in the Chhamb sector, which witnessed several decisive battles. Upon his promotion to Major General, he commanded the 7 Infantry Division in Punjab, overseeing its induction into counter-terrorism operations.

After retiring in 1994, Lt Gen Malhotra dedicated his life to philanthropy and the welfare of the underprivileged. He was deeply committed to supporting the disabled and funding the education of children from weaker sections of society.