The
mortal remains of Gen KV Krishna Rao (Retired), Ex Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
were cremated with full military honours at Brar Square, Delhi Cantt, today. He
passed away in Military Hospital in New Delhi on 30 Jan 2016.
The honorable President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his
message stated, “Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of General KV
Krishna Rao, former COAS. His exemplary services to the nation and the Army
will always be remembered”. The honorable Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar
condoled the passing away of the General Rao, stating “The country has lost one
of our best known military leaders. He was a visionary who led ably, inspired a
generation of soldiers and initiated modernization of Indian Army in the early
1980’s. His contribution in the 1971 War and maintaining the unity and
integrity of the country shall always be remembered”. General Dalbir Singh, the
COAS laid a floral wreath to pay tribute to General KV Krishna Rao and
expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the former Chief. He stated
that “Gen KV Krishna Rao was a soldier statesman who inspired a generation of soldiers
and will continue to do so even after his demise”.
General
KV Krishna Rao had an illustrious career spanning over four decades in the
Indian Army. He served in Burma, North West Frontier and Baluchistan during the
Second World War, participated in the 1947-48 war against Pakistan in Jammu and
Kashmir and was a founder Instructor of the National Defence Academy during
1949-51. He commanded an Infantry Division in the Jammu Region during 1969-70
and a Mountain Division engaged in Counter Insurgency Operations in Nagaland
and Manipur during 1970-72. During this period his Division also participated
in the 1971 India Pakistan War in Eastern Theatre and was instrumental in
capture of the Sylhet Area and liberation of North East Bangladesh. General
Krishna Rao commanded a Corps in the Jammu Region from 1974-78 and the Western Army
Command during 1979-81. Post his tenure as 14th COAS of Indian Army,
he also served as the Governor of the North Eastern States of Nagaland,
Manipur and Tripura from 1984-1989, as also of Mizoram. Later, General Krishna
Rao was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during 1989-90 and reappointed
from 1993-1998.
Wreaths were laid on mortal remains on behalf of the honorable President of
India and the Raksha Mantri. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Minister of
State External Affairs and former COAS Gen VK Singh, former Army Chiefs
(General VN Sharma, General NC Vij, General Deepak Kapoor and General Bikram
Singh), representatives of Chief of Naval Staff and Air Staff, representative
of Government of Manipur and a host of serving and retired fraternity of Army
were present on the occasion as a mark of respect to the former
army Chief.
Col
Rohan Anand, SM
PRO
(Army)