Lt Gen. D S Rana takes over as colonel of the Regiment of Garhwal Rifles

New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Lieutenant General D S Rana has taken over as the colonel of the Regiment of Garhwal Rifles, officials said on Saturday.

The ceremonial handing over of the baton took place at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand, amid full military honours, the defence ministry said.

Lt Gen. Rana succeeds Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani, as he assumes the mantle of the 23rd colonel of the regiment, it said.

The ceremony celebrated the proud lineage, valour and time-honoured legacy of one of the Indian Army's most-distinguished infantry regiments, comprising 27 battalions, including a scouts battalion, the ministry said in a statement.

During his tenure, Lt Gen. Subramani provided exemplary leadership and strengthened the regimental bond, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and camaraderie that define the Garhwal Rifles, it added.

"Lt Gen. Rana, an accomplished leader and decorated officer, brings a wealth of operational experience and strategic acumen," the statement said.

As he assumed the mantle of the 23rd colonel of the regiment, Lt Gen. Rana reaffirmed his commitment to furthering the ethos, discipline and "martial legacy of the Veer Garhwali warriors who have always stood steadfast in service of the nation".

As part of the proceedings, Lt Gen. Rana received a guard of honour and later, paid homage at the War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts of the regiment. PTI KND RC