Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31

Lt Gen Surinder Singh relinquished the charge of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, on his superannuation today after having rendered about 40 years of service.

Lt Gen RP Singh, presently General Officer Commanding 21 Corps in Bhopal, will take over as the GOC-in-C, Western Command.

A ceremonial send-off was given to Lt Gen Singh by officers and men at Chandimandir. He laid a wreath at the Veer Smriti to pay homage to martyrs and inspected a guard of honour.

Commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of Brigade of The Guards in 1979, he later commanded the same unit. Besides commanding a division in Strike Corps and an operationally committed Corps in the Eastern Command, he has served in the Military Operations Directorate and the Perspective Planning Directorate at the Army Headquarters.

A recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished services, he was also the Colonel of the Brigade of The Guards.

During his tenure as GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh was closely involved in formulating futuristic operational concepts in offensive and defensive employments and also paved the roadmap for restructuring and modernisation. He also ensured improvement in the functioning of various Army institutions like Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Mohali, the Army Institute of Law, Veteran Sahayata Kendra and Army Placement Node.