Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, will retire on Tuesday after 40 years of distinguished service in the Army. He had assumed the charge as Army Commander, Western Command on July 1, 2023.
Lt General Katiyar, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, was commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment in June 1986.
He is a graduate of the Defence Service Staff College, National Defence College, and is a distinguished graduate of the National War College, USA.
In a career spanning nearly four decades, Lt General Katiyar has served across a wide range of operational areas, including the Siachen Glacier, the Line of Control in both 15 and 16 Corps, and the Line of Actual Control in 3, 14 and 33 Corps.
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He has also served as an instructor with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
He has commanded an infantry brigade along the Western borders, the Army Headquarters Reserve Mountain Division along the Northern borders, and a Mountain Strike Corps responsible for offensive operations.
Lt General Katiyar was conferred Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Reflecting on his career, he said, "After 40 years of service, I am retiring. For approximately the last three years, I have been serving at the Western Command as Army Commander. It has been a matter of great honour for me to have had the opportunity to serve in the Indian Army.
"On the occasion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who worked alongside me, collaborating closely, in all our endeavours, including operations and training," he said.
Lt General Katiyar said in the Western Command, one of the objectives has also been to enhance the living conditions and educational facilities available to the soldiers and their families.
"We remain fully committed to the welfare of our veterans and ex-servicemen, ensuring their needs regarding medical care and pensions are comprehensively addressed," he said, reported news agency PTI.