Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). Even with this new role, he will continue serving as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), a key position he already holds.

This promotion means that Ghai will now manage several important departments within the Indian Army, including the Operations and Intelligence branches. The Deputy Chief (Strategy) post is part of a relatively new setup created to strengthen the Army’s leadership.

Lt Gen Ghai received the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYS) on June 4 during the 2025 Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-II) for his exceptional service. He took over as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on October 25, 2024.

The man behind the call during Operation Sindoor

Ghai’s name might sound familiar because he was the officer who received a direct phone call from his Pakistani counterpart during Operation Sindoor, asking for a ceasefire. This moment showed the high level of trust and responsibility placed on Ghai in handling delicate situations.

Lt Gen Ghai was also part of the team that visited Manipur around February 25 to review the security situation in the state, with a particular focus on the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB). During the visit, he held discussions with key state officials, including the Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the State Security Advisor, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police.

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