Prem Nath Hoon: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian military officer (1929–2020)}}
{{Short description|Indian military officer (1929–2020)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix= [[Lieutenant General]]
| honorific_prefix= [[Lieutenant General]]
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==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life===
===Early life===
Prem Nath Hoon was born on 4 October 1929 in [[Abbottabad]] (now in [[Pakistan]]) in [[North West Frontier Province]] of [[British India]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-pn-hoon-passes-away20200107072005/|title=Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen PN Hoon passes away|last=|first=|date=7 January 2020|website=ANI News|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107043641/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-pn-hoon-passes-away20200107072005/|archive-date=7 January 2020|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/general-who-secured-siachen-for-india-is-no-more/story-9ODUz1FGRixfQQBY0cvWjO.html|title=Lt Gen PN Hoon, who secured Siachen for India in 1984, dies at 90|date=7 January 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108031852/https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/general-who-secured-siachen-for-india-is-no-more/story-9ODUz1FGRixfQQBY0cvWjO.html|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-p-n-hoon-passes-away-6204052/|title=Lt Gen P N Hoon, Corps Commander during Op Meghdoot, passes away|date=7 January 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108144709/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-p-n-hoon-passes-away-6204052/|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His father Pran Nath Hoon was a railway officer. He was associated with the [[Indian National Congress]] and participated in the [[Indian independence movement]] from 1936 to 1947.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hoonslegacy.com/bio/|title=BIO {{!}} Hoon's Legacy|last=|first=|date=|website=Hoonlegacy.com|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110165741/http://www.hoonslegacy.com/bio/|archive-date=10 January 2020|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>
Prem Nath Hoon was born on 4 October 1929 in [[Abbottabad]] (now in [[Pakistan]]) in [[North West Frontier Province]] of [[British India]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-pn-hoon-passes-away20200107072005/|title=Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen PN Hoon passes away|last=|first=|date=7 January 2020|website=ANI News|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107043641/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-pn-hoon-passes-away20200107072005/|archive-date=7 January 2020|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/general-who-secured-siachen-for-india-is-no-more/story-9ODUz1FGRixfQQBY0cvWjO.html|title=Lt Gen PN Hoon, who secured Siachen for India in 1984, dies at 90|date=7 January 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108031852/https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/general-who-secured-siachen-for-india-is-no-more/story-9ODUz1FGRixfQQBY0cvWjO.html|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-p-n-hoon-passes-away-6204052/|title=Lt Gen P N Hoon, Corps Commander during Op Meghdoot, passes away|date=7 January 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108144709/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-p-n-hoon-passes-away-6204052/|archive-date=8 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His father Pran Nath Hoon was a railway officer. He was associated with the [[Indian National Congress]] and participated in the [[Indian independence movement]] from 1936 to 1947.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hoonslegacy.com/bio/|title=BIO {{!}} Hoon's Legacy|last=|first=|date=|website=Hoonlegacy.com|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110165741/http://www.hoonslegacy.com/bio/|archive-date=10 January 2020|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref>


===Military career===
===Military career===
Hoon joined the [[Indian Military Academy]] in [[Dehradun]] in 1947.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> He was commissioned in [[Sikh Regiment]]<ref name=":1" /> and posted in [[Kashmir]] in various sectors from 1949 to 1961.<ref name=":4" /> He was posted at the Barahoti post during the [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Indo-China War]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> In 1965, during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War]], he fought in the [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Sialkot]] and [[Pasrur]] sectors.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> He was promoted to the post of Lieutenant Colonel and moved to [[Kargil]] sector in charge of Special Mountain Forces. In 1970,  he was promoted to Brigadier and appointed to lead the Sikkim Brigade deployed at [[Nathu La]]. He was later posted at [[Hussainiwala]] in the [[Ferozpur]] sector in Punjab in 1974. He was made the [[Chief of staff]] of the Strike Corps in [[Chandimandir]] in 1980.<ref name=":4" /> He led the 13th Battalion of the [[Dogra Regiment]].<ref name=":3" />
Hoon joined the [[Indian Military Academy]] in [[Dehradun]] in 1947.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> He was commissioned in [[Sikh Regiment]]<ref name=":1" /> and posted in [[Kashmir]] in various sectors from 1949 to 1961.<ref name=":4" /> He was posted at the Barahoti post during the [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Indo-China War]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> In 1965, during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War]], he fought in the [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Sialkot]] and [[Pasrur]] sectors.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> He was promoted to the post of Lieutenant Colonel and moved to [[Kargil]] sector in charge of Special Mountain Forces. In 1970,  he was promoted to Brigadier and appointed to lead the Sikkim Brigade deployed at [[Nathu La]]. He was later posted at [[Hussainiwala]] in the [[Ferozpur]] sector in Punjab in 1974. He was made the [[Chief of staff]] of the Strike Corps in [[Chandimandir]] in 1980.<ref name=":4" /> He led the 13th Battalion of the [[Dogra Regiment]].<ref name=":3" />


In 1983, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. In 1984, he led the [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]] and [[Operation Meghdoot]], the [[Indian Armed Forces]] operation to capture the [[Siachen Glacier]] in the [[Kashmir]] region.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/chandigarh/siachen-india-army-operation-meghdoot-prem-nath-hoon|title='ऑपरेशन मेघदूत' के जांबाज को आखिरी सलाम, पढ़ें- कैसे पीएन हूण ने कब्जाया था सियाचिन|last=|first=|date=7 January 2020|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108234024/https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/chandigarh/siachen-india-army-operation-meghdoot-prem-nath-hoon|archive-date=8 January 2020|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> From 1985 to 1987, he was the Director General Military Operations at Army Headquarters as well as Chief of Staff of the [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]].<ref name=":1" /> He was later made General Officer Commander in Chief of Western Army from 1 October 1986 to 31 October 1987.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> During these years, he was also involved in [[Operation Brasstacks]], the biggest military exercise since World War II.<ref name=":3" /> He retired in 1987.<ref name="swh">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/lt-gen-pn-hoon-who-secured-siachen-victory-in-1984-passes-away/|title=Former Western Cdr Lt Gen Prem Nath Hoon, Who Secured Siachen Victory In 1984, Passes Away|last=Mudgal|first=Sparsh|date=7 January 2020|website=www.scoopwhoop.com|language=English|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
In 1983, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. In 1984, he led the [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]] and [[Operation Meghdoot]], the [[Indian Armed Forces]] operation to capture the [[Siachen Glacier]] in the [[Kashmir]] region.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/chandigarh/siachen-india-army-operation-meghdoot-prem-nath-hoon|title='ऑपरेशन मेघदूत' के जांबाज को आखिरी सलाम, पढ़ें- कैसे पीएन हूण ने कब्जाया था सियाचिन|last=|first=|date=7 January 2020|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108234024/https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/chandigarh/siachen-india-army-operation-meghdoot-prem-nath-hoon|archive-date=8 January 2020|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> From 1985 to 1987, he was the Director General Military Operations at Army Headquarters as well as Chief of Staff of the [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]].<ref name=":1" /> He was later made General Officer Commander in Chief of Western Army from 1 October 1986 to 31 October 1987.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> During these years, he was also involved in [[Operation Brasstacks]], the biggest military exercise since World War II.<ref name=":3" /> He retired in 1987.<ref name="swh">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/lt-gen-pn-hoon-who-secured-siachen-victory-in-1984-passes-away/|title=Former Western Cdr Lt Gen Prem Nath Hoon, Who Secured Siachen Victory In 1984, Passes Away|last=Mudgal|first=Sparsh|date=7 January 2020|website=www.scoopwhoop.com|language=English|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3" />


===Later life===
===Later life===
After retirement, he was appointed as the senior adviser to the textile company Birla VXL (now Digjam) from 1988 to 1990. He was appointed the Managing Director of Jiyajeerao Cotton Mills in [[Gwalior]]. Later he was involved in the construction activities in [[Navi Mumbai]] from 1991 to 1998.<ref name=":4" /> In 1999, he published his memoir ''Unmasking Secrets Of Turbulence – Midnight Freedom To A Nuclear Dawn''.<ref name=":4" /> He also published ''The Untold Truth'' in 2015 in which he claimed that the Indian military officers planned a coup to overthrow the [[Rajiv Gandhi]] led government.<ref name="swh"/><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05hoon.htm|title=Rediff On The NeT: The Rediff Interview/Lt General P N Hoon (retd)|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521110500/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05hoon.htm|archive-date=21 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/army-had-plotted-to-topple-rajiv-government-in-1987-retired-lt-gen-pn-hoon/articleshow/49213913.cms?from=mdr|title=Army had plotted to topple Rajiv government in 1987: Retired Lt Gen PN Hoon|last=Sura|first=Ajay|date=4 October 2015|work=The Economic Times|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-hoon-dies/articleshow/73128772.cms|title=Former Western Army commander Lt Gen Hoon dies|date=7 January 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref> Air Marshal Randhir Singh rejected his claim and called it his "own perception". Colonel K. S. Pathak told that the military personnel in Delhi might have been mobilized for other reasons.<ref name=":5" />
After retirement, he was appointed as the senior adviser to the textile company Birla VXL (now Digjam) from 1988 to 1990. He was appointed the Managing Director of Jiyajeerao Cotton Mills in [[Gwalior]]. Later he was involved in the construction activities in [[Navi Mumbai]] from 1991 to 1998.<ref name=":4" /> In 1999, he published his memoir ''Unmasking Secrets Of Turbulence – Midnight Freedom To A Nuclear Dawn''.<ref name=":4" /> He also published ''The Untold Truth'' in 2015 in which he claimed that the Indian military officers planned a coup to overthrow the [[Rajiv Gandhi]] led government.<ref name="swh"/><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05hoon.htm|title=Rediff On The NeT: The Rediff Interview/Lt General P N Hoon (retd)|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521110500/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05hoon.htm|archive-date=21 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/army-had-plotted-to-topple-rajiv-government-in-1987-retired-lt-gen-pn-hoon/articleshow/49213913.cms?from=mdr|title=Army had plotted to topple Rajiv government in 1987: Retired Lt Gen PN Hoon|last=Sura|first=Ajay|date=4 October 2015|work=The Economic Times|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/former-western-army-commander-lt-gen-hoon-dies/articleshow/73128772.cms|title=Former Western Army commander Lt Gen Hoon dies|date=7 January 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref> Air Marshal Randhir Singh rejected his claim and called it his "own perception". Colonel K. S. Pathak told that the military personnel in Delhi might have been mobilized for other reasons.<ref name=":5" />


He was associated with [[Shiv Sena]] and headed the ex-servicemen wing of the party from 1999 to 2005. He later ran a car dealership in [[Chandigarh]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> In 2013, he had joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name=":2" />  
He was associated with [[Shiv Sena]] and headed the ex-servicemen wing of the party from 1999 to 2005. He later ran a car dealership in [[Chandigarh]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> In 2013, he had joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name=":2" />  

Latest revision as of 01:52, 4 August 2022


Lieutenant General

Prem Nath Hoon

PVSM AVSM SM
Born(1929-10-04)4 October 1929
Abbottabad, North West Frontier Province, British India
Died6 January 2020(2020-01-06) (aged 90)
Chandimandir, Haryana, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1949–1987
RankLieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg Lieutenant General
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards
Alma materIndian Military Academy

Prem Nath Hoon (4 October 1929 – 6 January 2020) was an Indian military officer who was the General Officer Commander in Chief of the Western Army of the Indian Armed Forces from 1986 to 1987. He had commanded mountain brigades, infantry brigades, infantry division and the XV Corps in Kashmir.

He participated in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. In 1984, he led the Operation Meghdoot, the Indian Armed Forces operation to capture the Siachen Glacier in the Kashmir region. He was also involved in the Operation Brasstacks, the biggest military exercise since World War II.

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

Prem Nath Hoon was born on 4 October 1929 in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) in North West Frontier Province of British India.[1][2][3] His father Pran Nath Hoon was a railway officer. He was associated with the Indian National Congress and participated in the Indian independence movement from 1936 to 1947.[4]

Military career[edit]

Hoon joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in 1947.[2][3] He was commissioned in Sikh Regiment[2] and posted in Kashmir in various sectors from 1949 to 1961.[4] He was posted at the Barahoti post during the 1962 Indo-China War.[2][3][4] In 1965, during the Indo-Pakistan War, he fought in the Punjab, Sialkot and Pasrur sectors.[2][3] He was promoted to the post of Lieutenant Colonel and moved to Kargil sector in charge of Special Mountain Forces. In 1970, he was promoted to Brigadier and appointed to lead the Sikkim Brigade deployed at Nathu La. He was later posted at Hussainiwala in the Ferozpur sector in Punjab in 1974. He was made the Chief of staff of the Strike Corps in Chandimandir in 1980.[4] He led the 13th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment.[3]

In 1983, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. In 1984, he led the XV Corps and Operation Meghdoot, the Indian Armed Forces operation to capture the Siachen Glacier in the Kashmir region.[4][1][2][5][3] From 1985 to 1987, he was the Director General Military Operations at Army Headquarters as well as Chief of Staff of the Western Command.[2] He was later made General Officer Commander in Chief of Western Army from 1 October 1986 to 31 October 1987.[1][3] During these years, he was also involved in Operation Brasstacks, the biggest military exercise since World War II.[3] He retired in 1987.[6][3]

Later life[edit]

After retirement, he was appointed as the senior adviser to the textile company Birla VXL (now Digjam) from 1988 to 1990. He was appointed the Managing Director of Jiyajeerao Cotton Mills in Gwalior. Later he was involved in the construction activities in Navi Mumbai from 1991 to 1998.[4] In 1999, he published his memoir Unmasking Secrets Of Turbulence – Midnight Freedom To A Nuclear Dawn.[4] He also published The Untold Truth in 2015 in which he claimed that the Indian military officers planned a coup to overthrow the Rajiv Gandhi led government.[6][3][7][8][9] Air Marshal Randhir Singh rejected his claim and called it his "own perception". Colonel K. S. Pathak told that the military personnel in Delhi might have been mobilized for other reasons.[8]

He was associated with Shiv Sena and headed the ex-servicemen wing of the party from 1999 to 2005. He later ran a car dealership in Chandigarh.[3][4] In 2013, he had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.[5]

He died on 6 January 2020 in Command Hospital, Chandimandir following brain hemorrhage. His cremation rites were performed the next day at Sector 25 cremation ground in Chandigarh.[1][2][3]

Personal life[edit]

He had a son and a daughter.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen PN Hoon passes away". ANI News. 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 7 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Lt Gen PN Hoon, who secured Siachen for India in 1984, dies at 90". Hindustan Times. 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 "Lt Gen P N Hoon, Corps Commander during Op Meghdoot, passes away". The Indian Express. 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "BIO | Hoon's Legacy". Hoonlegacy.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "'ऑपरेशन मेघदूत' के जांबाज को आखिरी सलाम, पढ़ें- कैसे पीएन हूण ने कब्जाया था सियाचिन". Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mudgal, Sparsh (7 January 2020). "Former Western Cdr Lt Gen Prem Nath Hoon, Who Secured Siachen Victory In 1984, Passes Away". www.scoopwhoop.com. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  7. ↑ "Rediff On The NeT: The Rediff Interview/Lt General P N Hoon (retd)". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sura, Ajay (4 October 2015). "Army had plotted to topple Rajiv government in 1987: Retired Lt Gen PN Hoon". The Economic Times. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  9. ↑ "Former Western Army commander Lt Gen Hoon dies". The Times of India. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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