Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM) took over as the 22nd Director General of the Assam Rifles known by the sobriquet of “Sentinels of the North-East” on 1st August 2024. He has varied and rich professional experience of Assam Rifles and the North East region, having served extensively in North East including being Inspector General in Assam Rifles at Nagaland.
The General Officer was commissioned from Indian Military Academy into 4 SIKH LI on 09 June 1990, the Unit which he subsequently commanded in lower Assam under the Red Horn Division. The General Officer is a post graduate from Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. He is alumnus of the Higher Defence Management Course from College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and completed the prestigious National Defence Course from The Royal College of Defence Studies, London (United Kingdom). The General Officer has tenanted various Command and staff appointments during his illustrious career. Some of the important appointments tenanted by General Lakhera include Division Officer and Tactical Training Officer at NDA, Khadakwasla, Deputy Military Advisor to GOC-in-C, Eastern Comd, Staff Officer and Deputy Military Advisor to COAS, Director in Military Operations Directorate, Deputy Commander of an Inf Bde and Brig (Q) of HQ 4 Corps. The General officer commanded 15 Infantry Brigade at Sriganganagar and has been Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) at Kohima.
The General Officer was tenanting the appointment of Additional Director General Military Operations handling Information Warfare prior to taking over as Director General of Assam Rifles. His academic qualifications incl MSc from Madras University, MA from King’s College, London (UK) and Masters in Management Studies from Osmania University.
In addition to serving in all terrains and theater of ops to incl International Boundary and Line of Control. The General Officer has extensive experience of planning and executing counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in J&K and North East Region. The General Officer is a highly decorated Officer with Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card and two Army Commander Commendation Cards to his credit.
