DECORATED Army officer Lt Gen B S Raju has retired as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of crucial South-Western Command, handing over the charge to Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, officials have said. A well-known face in strife-torn Kashmir Valley, Raju was an alumnus of Sainik School, Bijapur, and the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned in the Jat Regiment in December 1984.

 

He hung up his boots on Tuesday after serving in the Army for 39 years. Before being posted as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South-Western Command, Lt Gen Raju was holding the position of Vice-Chief of the Army. A trained helicopter pilot who carried out operational flying in Somalia under a UN Mission, Raju was decorated for his contribution to the service with Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Yudh Seva Medal.