1971 war: Ex-Indian army chief Rao passes away

A former chief of Indian army Gen KV Krishna Rao, who played a key role in the 1971 Bangladesh’s Liberation War, died in New Delhi today at the military hospital following a cardiac arrest.

Rao, 92, was also the governor of Jammu and Kashmir at a time when militancy was at its peak in the Indian state.

Rao commanded a division of the army during the Bangladesh’s Liberation War and was instrumental in the capture of Sylhet and liberation of North East Bangladesh, a statement issued by Indian Army said.

Rao was the 14th Chief of Staff of Indian Army and had an illustrious career spanning over four decades in the army.

He was commissioned into the army on August 9, 1942. As a young officer, he had served in Burma, North West Frontier and Baluchistan during the Second World War.

He had also participated in the 1947-48 war against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. He was a founder Instructor of the National Defence Academy during 1949-51.

Rao had commanded a Brigade in the forward area of Ladakh during 1965-66, an Infantry Division in the Jammu Region during 1969-70 and a Mountain Division engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland and Manipur states during 1970-72.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar condoled the death of Rao saying the country has lost one of its best known military leaders. He was a visionary who led ably, inspired a generation of soldiers and initiated modernisation of the Indian Army in early 1980s."

He said that Rao's contribution in the 1971 war and maintaining the unity and integrity of the country shall always be remembered.

Serving Indian Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag also condoled Rao's death.