Lt. Gen RK Sharma, AVSM, SM

Ex-Commandant OTA, Gaya

Lt Gen Rakesh Kumar Sharma, SM is a proud alumnus of Sainik School, Jamnagar and the National Defence Academy, Pune. He was commissioned into 11 Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry on 10 June 1978.

In his military career spanning over four decades, the General has excelled in all fields and has had a composite exposure of operational, training and administrative appointments. He has specialized experience in counter insurgency, counter terrorist operations (both in J&K and NE) and also peace keeping operations.

Putting professionalism as his aim, the General Officer obtained instructor grading in all courses including best student in Regimental Signal Officers Course and obtaining competitive vacancy in Defence Services Staff College. He also has the distinction of attending the prestigious Higher Command and National Defence College courses.

The General Officer has held very important Command and Staff appointments. As a young officer he has seen action in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorists environment in North East, Sri Lanka and J&K. He commanded his Battalion in High Altitude Area at Nathula on China Border and active Line of Control at NT-Keri on Pakistan Border. He Commanded an Infantry Brigade at Pathankot opposite sensitive Shakargarh Bulge and an Infantry Division on the Western front in Ferozepur.

Some of his important Staff appointments include Brigade Major of Infantry Brigade in the Desert Corps, GSO-1 in

Military Intelligence Directorate, Colonel General Staff of Counter Insurgency / Counter Terrorists Corps in Jammu & Kashmir, Brigadier Administration of a Strike Corps and Brigadier General

Staff Operations of a Mountain Corps opposite China in the Eastern Theatre. He has also been Additional Directorate General Strategic Movement at the Army Headquarters. The General Officer was also the HR Manager of the Indian Army while he tenanted the appointment of Director General Manpower Planning & Personnel Services.

He also has the distinction of being the Commandant of a premier nascent Training Academy, Officers Training Academy (OTA) Gaya, where in a short span, he brought in transformation in the standards of the young academy at par with older academies of the Indian Army.

During his “Tour of Duty” he has been twice decorated with gallantry awards, Sena Medal and Mention-in-Dispatches. For his distinguished service he was also awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), COAS Commendation Card and thrice GOC-in-C Commendation Card.

Finally, the General Officer was DG OL&SM at the Army HQ, looking after the Operational Logistic and Strategic Movement of the Indian Army through an integrated inter play of Road, Rail, Air and Ship movements. He finally retired on 31 Jan 2017.

Post retirement, being Son of the Soil of J&K, he settled down in Jammu. He took up the social work and joined RSS. He joined BJP through hands of Shree Narendra Modi, the PM of India on 03 Feb 2019. Presently, he is BJP State Spokesperson in J&K and InCharge of Defence, Security & Soldiers issues.