OBITUARY: Lt Gen OS Lochab, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)

Indian Army has produced a number of great generals but it is very difficult to find a match with late Gen OS Lochab PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd). A very sober and simple son of the soil left for his heavenly abode on May 30, 2020, at the age of 77.

He is survived by his wife, son Neeraj, and daughters – Reena, Seema, and Neeta.

Lt Gen. Lochab was a visionary, exceptionally intelligent, kind-hearted, true soldier, and above all a steely nerve personality, Indian Army ever had. He donned a number of caps during his 40 years of military service and also during post-retirement.

An alumnus of NDA, he got commissioned in Bihar Regiment and later he became Colonel of the Bihar Regiment. He was one of the very few officers who qualified and attended staff college course in Australia. 

NDC qualified general officer commanded an Infantry Division, Bengal Area, and did extremely well as Director General Military Intelligence directorate in Army headquarters. He was actively involved in 1965, 1971 and Kargil war in leading roles. He was awarded the highest appreciation medals as mentioned above by the Army in recognition of his sincere, dedicated & unblemished service towards national security. 

Lt Gen OS Lochab served as Chairman of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam after retirement and brought a number of changes in the system keeping in view the welfare of common man. He took a keen interest in the welfare of ESM by solving/ looking after their genuine difficulties.

He was also the Patron of Jat Parivar Kalyan Manch Gurugram for a very long time. Manch grew from strength to strength under his able guidance. He used to attend all the functions very happily organized by the Manch. He was a great inspiration not only to his own Jat community but to all others too. Originally from Jhajjar the district originally, he decided to settle down in Palam Vihar Gurugram after retirement.