Vij takes over command of 4 Corps

GUWAHATI, July 19: Lt Gen Mahesh Vij took over the command of 4 Corps of the Army today from Lt Gen DB Shekathar. He will now be the GOC of 4 Corps as well as the operational head of the Unified Command structure, an Army release said. Lt Gen Mahesh Vij was born on February 3, 1944 at Trichinapally. He joined the National Defence Academy in June 1960 and was commissioned to 9th Battallion of the Rajputana Rifles in 1964. From 1981 to 1983 he commanded 7th Battallion of the Mechanise Infantry Regiment (I Dogra). In these 19 years of regimental service he attained vast experience of operating in varied terrain obtained in our country and also participated in 1965 and 1971 wars. He is a graduate of Defence Service Staff College, Wellington, attended higher command course at Mhow and also National Defence College, New Delhi. He continued to pursue his studies and finally was conferred with a PhD degree. He was also specially nominated to attend a course at Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare College USSR in 1983. Lt Gen Vij also has wide military experience in staff, by virtue of serving in important assignments like Brigade Major of an armoured brigade, Colonel General Staff of an armoured division and also Major General, General Staff of Central Command; and Chief of Staff of a corps. During his distinguished service career he had commanded an armoured brigade and a division of army's strike corps.