New Delhi, 31 March (H.S.):

The Indian Army has announced a major leadership change at the highest operational level, appointing Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar as the new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on the Pakistan frontier. He will succeed Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who moves to the post of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), marking a significant reshuffle in the Army’s top‑level command and planning structure.

Lieutenant General Ghai, who was appointed DGMO in October 2024, has been at the centre of India’s military operations, intelligence coordination, and ceasefire‑related dialogue with Pakistan.

Under his leadership, the Indian Army conducted Operation Sindur in May last year, in which terror‑launching pads across the Line of Control were destroyed, prompting Pakistan to seek a ceasefire.

A 1989‑commissioned officer of the Kumaon Regiment, Ghai earlier served as General Officer Commanding of the 15th Corps (Chinar Corps) in Srinagar and is widely regarded as an expert in counter‑insurgency, border‑cross terrorism, and military diplomacy. He has been awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Army Medal for his distinguished service. Since June 2025, he has also been holding the additional charge of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), a highly sensitive planning‑cum‑operational role.

The Army’s top leadership has now placed Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar at the DGMO’s office, tapping his extensive operational experience. Until this posting, he served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Spear Corps, headquartered in Dimapur, Nagaland, in the strategically sensitive northeast region.

Over a long and varied career, he has built a strong reputation for firm command in counter‑terror operations and for maintaining delicate coordination in the complex security environment of the northeast. His appointment comes at a critical time, when the Indian Army is grappling with border tensions, hybrid warfare, cross‑border terrorism, and emerging technology‑driven security threats across multiple domains.

As DGMO, Lieutenant General Pendharkar will oversee operational planning, crisis‑response operations, and coordination between theatre commands and army corps, shaping India’s future military prepared and strategic posture on the western front. His move to the DGMO post and Lieutenant General Ghai’s elevation to Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) will ensure continuity in high‑level planning while reinforcing the Army’s focus on experienced leadership in an increasingly volatile global and regional security environment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar