Lt Gen YK Joshi, a hero of the battle of Tiger Hill — the Kargil conflict of 1999 — on Friday took over as the Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps that is dual tasked as regards Pakistan to the west and China to the East.
Siachen Glacier and 823-km Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, de facto China boundary, is manned by the Corps. Gen Joshi led his unit, the 13 JAFRIF, to victory over Pakistan in 1999 and captured Tiger Hill. The then Army Chief Gen VP Malik, had personally congratulated the unit.
Capt Vikram Batra (Paramvir Chakra winner) laid down his life in the battle. Gen Joshi, then a Lt Col was commanding his battalion. The battalion under him earned two PVCs, eight Vir Chakras (including for himself), 14 Sena Medals and the title of the “Bravest of the Brave”.
Gen Joshi has rare distinction of having commanded a Brigade and a Division in eastern Ladakh — facing China — under 14 Corps. He has served in the Directorate General of Military Operations handling China and has served in Beijing as India’s Defence Attache.
