Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh Relinquishes Command of Southern Army

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Pune :

30 June 2024

Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh, Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, relinquished the command of Southern Command on 30 June 2024 as he superannuated after 40 years of glorious service. In a solemn ceremony on his departure, the Army Commander paid homage to the Braveheart’s by laying a wreath at the Command War Memorial, Pune.

Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh had assumed the command of this elite formation as its 50th Army Commander on 01 November 2022. He was commissioned in December 1984 into the Eleventh Gorkha Rifles. An alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla & Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, the General officer had a comprehensive and well-rounded operational experience through varied command and staff appointments tenanted during his distinguished military career. He commanded a battalion initially as part of Strike Corps and subsequently in Jammu & Kashmir on the Line of Control, a Brigade in Rann Sector, a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir and the strategically important Trishakti Corps in the Eastern Sector.

During his 20 months as an Army commander, he had consistently demonstrated operational excellence through a combination of strategic foresight, decisive leadership and impetus on Jointmanship and integration.

For ensuring the operational preparedness and readiness of command, he successfully executed significant joint military exercises involving training with foreign armies like Africa, France, Srilanka and UAE and also with other services like Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Paramilitary organisations. Being the Army Commander of the largest command of the Indian Army which also has three Naval Commands and four Air Force Commands in its Area of Responsibility, his involvement was also significant in ensuring synergy and interoperability with all three services. Major exercise to include Tri Shakti Prahar and Bharat Shakti were conducted in the desert sectors.

Apart from enhancing the operational efficiency of the formation many folds, his focus was also on enhancing the physical and mental wellbeing of all ranks under his command. He not only initiated numerous programs for stress management, mental health support and resilience training through various Yoga sessions, but also personally endorsed the same underscoring his commitment to the holistic well-being of all ranks.

Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh also played a pivotal role in Nation Building aligning with govt initiatives to bolster state security and development. His contribution to project Vidyanjali, Amrit Sarovar, Implementation of National Education Policy 2020 across Southern command and various infrastructure projects including the PM Gatishakti and Bharatmala Projects are testament to his dedication to the national endeavour.

Under his leadership, the Southern Command witnessed significant investments in infrastructure development, including hospitals, medical facilities and training centers. His environmental initiatives aligned with government policies, contributing to the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission and other sustainability projects were also significant underscoring his resolve towards the Nations growth and development. Under his dynamic thought process, Southern Command has undertaken the pioneering initiative of achieving ‘Net Zero Southern Command’ status.