Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera has been appointed as the new Director General of the Assam Rifles, taking over from Lt. Gen. PC Nair, who retired after a distinguished 40-year career. Known as the “Sentinels” of the northeastern region, the Assam Rifles are crucial to maintaining security in this strategically important area.
Prior to this role, Lt. Gen. Lakhera served as the Additional Director General of Military Operations, where he specialized in information warfare. He has a robust background in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations, having led key missions in Jammu, Kashmir, and the Northeastern region. His military career began when he was commissioned into the 4 SIKH LI on June 19, 1990.
Lt. Gen. Lakhera's extensive education includes an MSc from Madras University, an MA from King’s College, London, and a Masters in Management Studies from Osmania University. He is also a graduate of the Defence Service Staff College in Wellington, the Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad, and the National Defence Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. His honors include the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and several commendation cards.
