Lt General Rajiv Ghai, the Indian Army’s Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) and a key face during Operation Sindoor, has been promoted to the post of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), the Ministry of Defence announced on Monday. He will retain his DGMO portfolio in addition to the new strategic role.

The Deputy Chief (Strategy) role was created in 2020 to consolidate oversight of critical verticals such as operations, intelligence, logistics, perspective planning, and information warfare. It is considered one of the most vital leadership roles within the Indian Army’s evolving structural framework.

Lt Gen Ghai, from the Kumaon Regiment, received the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) on 4 June 2025 during the second phase of the Defence Investiture Ceremony, recognising his distinguished wartime service. He played a pivotal role during Operation Sindoor, an Indian military campaign that targeted terror infrastructure across the border without crossing the Line of Control (LoC) or the international boundary.

In a press briefing following the cessation of hostilities with Pakistan, Lt Gen Ghai famously described the Indian Army’s response using a cricketing analogy — “Ashes to Ashes” — to illustrate how India’s multi-layered air defence neutralised Pakistani aerial threats.

The promotion comes amid continued recognition of his operational acumen. Earlier this year, in February, Lt Gen Ghai had visited Manipur to assess the Indo-Myanmar border situation. He met with state officials, including the Governor, State Security Advisor, and top police leadership, calling for a “whole-of-government approach” to manage security challenges and improve infrastructure in conflict-hit zones.

Before his DGMO appointment on 25 October 2024, Lt Gen Ghai served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Chinar Corps, where he led counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a related development, Air Marshal A K Bharti, the Indian Air Force’s Director-General of Air Operations, who also conducted briefings during Operation Sindoor, has been promoted as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff. The IAF has only one Deputy Chief role, primarily responsible for overseeing modernisation efforts.

These high-level appointments reflect the armed forces’ focus on strategic preparedness and integrated command structures in response to complex regional challenges.