Former Chief of Army Staff General S. Padmanabhan has died in Chennai.
Chennai has mourned the loss of former Chief of Army Staff General S. Padmanabhan, who passed away recently, according to official reports.
General Padmanabhan, a distinguished military leader, also chaired the Chief of Staff Committee. He was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery after graduating from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on December 13, 1959.
During his impressive career, he commanded an Independent Light Battery from August 1975 to July 1976 and later led the Gazala Mountain Regiment from September 1977 to March 1980.
His expertise was further demonstrated as an Instructor in Gunnery at the School of Artillery in Deolali, where he also served as Brigade Major of an infantry brigade upon its formation. He played a crucial role as Colonel General Staff of a Mountain Division from January 1983 to May 1985.
General Padmanabhan commanded an Infantry Brigade in Ranchi, Bihar, and Punjab from December 1988 to February 1991, later becoming the General Officer Commanding of an Infantry Division in Punjab from March 1991 to August 1992.
From September 1992 to June 1993, he served as Chief of Staff for 3 Corps. He was promoted to Lieutenant General, taking command of the 15 Corps in the Kashmir Valley from July 1993 to February 1995, a period marked by significant military achievements against militants.
Following his tenure, he held the position of Director General Military Intelligence and subsequently assumed command of the Northern Command at Udhampur on September 1, 1996.
Before his appointment as Chief of Army Staff, he served as the GOC of Southern Command. He retired on December 31, 2002, after an illustrious career spanning over 43 years in the armed forces.
