Gen KV Krishna Rao Passes Away

30 January, New Delhi

Former Army Chief General K V Krishna Rao died here Saturday at Base Hospital here due to cardiac arrest. He was 93.

“With profound grief, I want to inform that Gen KV Krishna Rao suffered a cardiac arrest today. We lost a great military leader and stalwart of the Indian Army,” an Army spokesperson said.

Having distinction of serving as the governor with the longest term in five states – Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Jammu and Kashmir, Gen Rao was credited with with neutralising the proxy war in Kashmir between 1993 and 1997. General Krishna Rao was appointed as Chief of Army Staff on June 1, 1981, and served in that capacity till July 1983.

He was also chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, the highest appointment in the services, during March 1982 July 1983.He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for displaying outstanding leadership, courage, determination and drive during this war.

He served as Chief of Staff, Western Command during 1972-74, during which period disengagement with Pakistani troops was carried out and fresh plans were made against likely adventures by Pakistan.

General Krishna Rao was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and commanded the largest corps in the Jammu Region from 1974-78. In addition, during 1975-76, he was also the chairman of the expert committee constituted by the then Government on re-organisation and modernisation for future defence of the country.