New Delhi, 14 March (HS): Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich has been appointed as the Vice Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). He succeeds Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, who was appointed as the Vice Chief of Army Staff earlier this month. Earlier, General Aich was working as DG of Military Intelligence.

Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich was commissioned into the 16th Battalion, The Madras Regiment in June 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He is a postgraduate and holds an MPhil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies. He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 and the Chief of Army Staff Citation three times for his meritorious service. The then President Kovind awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal to Lieutenant General Tarun Kumar Aich of the Infantry. He was also posted to the Siachen Glacier to command an Infantry Battalion.

The General Officer has a rich and varied experience of service in various fields. He has commanded his battalion in the Siachen Glacier and in the intense counter-terrorist environment of the Valley region in Kashmir. He has commanded a Brigade in the Western Theatre, which is part of the Strike Corps. He has also commanded the Reorganized Army Plains Infantry Division (also known as RAPID) in the desert area. After a stint in the desert, the General Officer has taken over as the Commandant of the prestigious High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg.

Lt Gen Aich has experience of conducting extensive operations in all types of terrain and terrain, including counter-insurgency, snow-covered high altitude areas and desert areas. Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich took over the command of the strategically important Trishakti Corps based at Sukna near Siliguri in West Bengal in Oct 21. He commanded an infantry battalion stationed at the Siachen Glacier and was the commandant of the High Altitude Warfare School at Gulmarg. Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich has also served as the 33rd Director General of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Hindusthan Samachar/Suneet/Dadhibal/Indrani Sarkar