Lieutenant-General K.T. Parnaik on Saturday took over command of the prestigious Northern Command at Udhampur. He succeeds Lieutenant- General B.S. Jaiswal, who retired on Friday.
A highly decorated officer, Lt. General Parnaik is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, and was commissioned into the 2 Rajputana Rifles on March 31, 1972. After early years of regimental service and staff appointments, he graduated from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has done the Senior Command, Higher Command and National Defence College courses. During his long career, he has held a variety of sterling and balanced portfolio of Command, Staff and Instructional assignments.
He has vast experience in counter-insurgency and high altitude warfare. He commanded 2 Rajputana Rifles in Rajasthan Sector (Udaipur) and Jammu and Kashmir, an Infantry Brigade in Operation Parakram on the Line of Control, and a Mountain Division in Sikkim. Before taking over as Director-General of Perspective Planning, the General Officer commanded the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan and a Corps in the northeast.
Lt. General Parnaik held a number of prestigious staff appointments which includes Additional Director-General, Military Intelligence at the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army). He has also held various instructional appointments at the Indian Military Academy, IMTRAT and Army War College, Mhow.
For his distinguished service in the north-eastern sector, he was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card twice. He was also honoured with the Yudh Seva Medal in 2003 for his exemplary conduct of operations while in command of an Infantry Brigade during ‘Operation Parakram'.
The General Officer was also honoured with the Gallantry Award of Uttam Yudh Seva Medal for his command of 4 Corps during ‘Operation Rhino' in 2010.
