In a ceremony rich with military tradition, Lieutenant General D S Rana, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, PhD, officially assumed the role of the 23rd Colonel of the Regiment of the Garhwal Rifles at the Regimental Centre in Lansdowne. Lt Gen Rana, who is currently serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), took over the ceremonial baton from outgoing Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Vice Chief of Army Staff.
The formal handover was marked by a grand military ceremony, including a Guard of Honour and a solemn wreath-laying at the War Memorial, paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the regiment. The Garhwal Rifles, with its 27 battalions including a Scouts Battalion, has a distinguished legacy dating back to its contributions in World War I and major post-independence operations, including the 1962 conflict with China.
Lt Gen D S Rana brings vast operational and strategic experience to the role, having previously served as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency. His appointment is viewed as a move to enhance the regiment’s readiness and adaptiveness in an era of evolving warfare and persistent border challenges, especially along India’s northern frontier.
The Garhwal Rifles Regiment, known for its disciplined ethos and decorated history, holds deep cultural ties with the Garhwali community of Uttarakhand. Over the decades, its soldiers have shown extraordinary valor, with more than 25,000 casualties recorded in multiple wars, underlining the regiment’s role as a pillar of India’s military strength.
As Lt Gen Rana takes charge, there is renewed focus on fortifying the regiment’s capabilities in the broader context of India’s Indo-Pacific defense outlook. Military leaders at the event expressed confidence in his leadership, which is expected to reinforce the Garhwal Rifles’ operational excellence and continued contribution to national security.
