Former Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, passed away in Panchkula on Monday, June 14, at the age of 84, following a brief illness. Credited with rewriting Army doctrines and operational concepts after the 1999 Kargil conflict to meet contemporary requirements, he had also served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, Shimla, and the Western Command, Chandimandir.
Commissioned in June 1961 into the First Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, called the Jangi Paltan that was raised in 1768, Lt Gen Oberoi was baptised by fire soon after when he took part in the campaign for the liberation for Goa from the Portuguese.
In August 1965, during action against Pakistani infiltrators in the Dachigam Forest near Srinagar, he was severely wounded in the right leg, which had to be amputated, when he was just 24 years old. After recuperation, he chose to continue in service and despite his handicap, he rose to the highest echelon of the Army.
Never the one to lose courage, resilience and self-confidence, he competed with his military peers on an equal footing through the course of his career. He commanded troops and formations at all levels, being among the handful of Infantry officers who have commanded an Armoured Division. Even at the age of 72, post-retirement, he had completed the Mumbai Marathon with his prosthetic leg.
An alumnus of the US Army War College, his other key appointments included Director-General of Military Operations, instructor at the College of Combat (now Army War College) and as the military attaché in Malaysia. He also had stints with the training and intelligence directorates.
General Oberoi commanded ARTRAC from April 1997 to October 1999 and the Western Command from October 1999 to September 2000. He served as the Vice-Chief from October 2000 to September 2001, when he superannuated.
Described as a soldier-scholar, he established the Army’s think tank, the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, after retirement and set up a charitable organisation for the welfare of wounded veterans, called the War Wounded Foundation. He remained active on the social and academic fronts, writing extensively on strategic affairs, delivering talks and working for the disabled soldiers.
He is survived by his wife, Daulat Oberoi, and daughter, Rashmi. The serving as well as veterans’ community have condoled the demise of Lt Gen Oberoi, calling him a decorated soldier who exemplified courage and selfless service throughout his life, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of soldiers and citizens alike.
“Beyond ranks and accolades, he will be remembered for his courage, humility, and unwavering commitment to the soldier. My salute to this warrior whose courage and commitment inspired many,” former Chief of the Army Staff and now Governor of Mizoram wrote on X.
