Yogesh Kumar Joshi: Difference between revisions

| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1962|01|05}}<ref>{{cite web | title = Lt Col Yogesh kumar Joshi, VrC | publisher = THE WAR DECORATED INDIA| url = http://twdi.in/node/2669|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>

[[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]] '''Yogesh Kumar Joshi''', [[PVSM]], [[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal|UYSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Vir Chakra|VrC]], [[Sena Medal|SM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]] (born 5 January 1962) is a retired [[General Officer]] of the [[Indian Army]]. He was the [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]], assuming office from Lt Gen [[Ranbir Singh (general)|Ranbir Singh]] on 1 February 2020.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=PRO Udhampur, Ministry of Defence |user=proudhampur |number=1223259730954481664 |date=31 January 2020 |title=Lt Gen YK Joshi, UYSM, AVSM, VrC, SM will assume the appointment of #ArmyCdrNC on 01 Feb 2020. The General officer caught the attention of the nation during Kargil war with his outstanding leadership under the nickname 'Joe' &amp; led his unit 13 JAK RIF to unprecedented success. https://t.co/Lr54A5JapD |language=en |access-date=16 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827100822/https://twitter.com/proudhampur/status/1223259730954481664 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Negi, Manjeet Singh |title=Kargil fame Lt Gen YK Joshi appointed Northern Army Commander |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kargil-fame-lt-gen-yk-joshi-appointed-northern-army-commander-1639616-2020-01-24 |work=India Today |location=London |date=24 January 2020 |access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref>

He was commissioned into [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.catchnews.com/national-news/kargil-war-hero-lieutenant-general-yk-joshi-takes-charge-of-ladakh-s-defence-130488.html|title=Kargil war hero Lieutenant General YK Joshi takes charge of Ladakh's defence|work=CatchNews.com|access-date=2018-10-09|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2009/jul/150709-Colonel-YK-Joshi-LOC-Kargil-Sanjay-Dutt-War-Heroes-39-honours-Delhi-news.htm|title=Back in the barracks, I'm Sanju Baba|date=15 July 2009|newspaper=Mid-Day Infomedia Ltd.|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/boundary-tensions-challenge-li-keqiangs-visit/article4702099.ece|title=Boundary tensions challenge Li Keqiang's visit|last=KRISHNAN|first=ANANTH|date=11 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> His instructional tenure was at Infantry School Mhow where he was responsible to impart training on Anti Tank Weapon Systems. Being an epitome of a 'scholar warrior'  he attended Defense Services Staff College, Wellington and was posted to Military Operations Directorate for the first time, since then he has served in Military Operations directorate thrice in various capacities which have enriched his professional competencies in the operational paradigm to include both putative adversaries of India, namely China and Pakistan. He had the distinction to command his Brigade in Eastern Ladakh and also the Division in the same area, thus giving him first hand ground knowledge which held him in good stead during Operation SNOW LEOPARD. He has also served as the ADG of Military Operations Branch in the Army HQ during the critical period of Surgical Strikes against Pakistan in 2016 and was responsible for the planning of the operations at the Military Operations Branch. Prior to his appointment as GOC of XIV Corp he was DG Infantry and spearheaded the modernization drive of the infantry with missionary zeal and a large number of weapon systems and equipment like the Sig Saur Rifle were procured under his tutelage. He is the colonel of the regiment of [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]] & the [[Ladakh Scouts]] and has been deeply involved with welfare and development of people of the remote region of Ladakh. He was the 17th Commander, [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]] of the [[Indian Army]] and assumed the post on 31 August 2018, This was General Joshi's fourth tenure dealing with Chinese troops.<ref name="zeenews.india.com">{{Cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/jammu-and-kashmir/kargil-war-hero-lieutenant-general-yk-joshi-takes-charge-of-ladakhs-defence-2137768.html|title=Kargil War hero Lieutenant General YK Joshi takes charge of Ladakh's defence|website=zeenews.india.com}}</ref> He assumed the post from Lt General Santosh Kumar Upadhya.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kargil-hero-lt-gen-joshi-takes-charge-of-14-corps/articleshow/65633825.cms|title=Kargil hero Lt-Gen Joshi takes charge of 14 corps - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-10-09}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

He was a [[Lieutenant colonel|Lt colonel]] during [[Kargil War]]. He led 13th [[Battalion]] of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|JAK Rif]] in [[Dras]]. His battalion launched four attacks, most successful of which was on Pt 4875 which is now called Batra Top after [[Vikram Batra|Capt. Vikram Batra]] who was martyred in action and was awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]]. The Battalion was also conferred with the title of the 'Bravest Of the Brave'<ref name="zeenews.india.com"/> His battalion was awarded a total more than twenty five [[Gallantry award|Gallantry medals]] during Kargil War including two Param Vir Chakras, eight [[Vir Chakra]]s (including him) and fourteen [[Sena Medal]]s. He was the commanding officer of [[Param Vir Chakra]] awardees [[Vikram Batra|Captain Vikram Batra]] and [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Rifleman Sanjay Kumar]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/captain-vikram-batra-brave-stories-update--41716.html|title=Legendary tale of 'Captain Vikram Batra': The 'Sher Shah' of Indian Army|date=11 September 2014|newspaper=India TV Buzz|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His role during the Kargil War was essayed by Sanjay Datt in the movie LOC Kargil directed by JP Datta. As an officer and a gentleman his gesture of giving an honourable burial to troops of Pakistan Army who had perished on the icy heights of Kargil<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Aroor |first=Shiv |author-link=Shiv Aroor |user=ShivAroor |number=1157877141091971072 |date=4 August 2019 |title=20 years ago after the Kargil War, the Indian Army’s 13 JAK RIF buried Pakistani soldiers with all rituals because the Pakistan Army wouldn’t take them back. That’s Pakistan. ‘No man left behind’ means nothing to them. A military that can never be moral rules that country. https://t.co/m21IyvUhye |language=en |access-date=16 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207084906/https://twitter.com/shivaroor/status/1157877141091971072 |archive-date=7 December 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> fetched him praise and also a sobriquet of a 'humane warrior'. His professional acumen and personal bravery was a beacon of inspiration for the soldiers of his unit who displayed bravery and courage beyond the call of duty to achieve victory under most trying circumstances. His CODE WORD during the battle was 'CHANAKYA' and instilled fear amongst the Pakistani soldiers who were fighting in Kargil.

The uniqueness that Gen Joshi brings to his office is not only his knowledge of the [[Chinese language]] but also the fact that he has served thrice before in the eastern [[Ladakh]] sector and has commanded a [[Brigade]] and a [[Division (military)|Division]] before taking over as commander of [[XIV Corps (India)|Fire & Fury Corps]].  He also served as a [[Defence Attache]] to China (2005-2008) and negotiated the technicalities of the first India-China joint exercise “Hand-in-Hand” in [[Kunming]] in 2007 and led Army talks with China.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/amid-ladakh-tensions-india-china-discuss-joint-military-exercises/article4659161.ece|title=Amid Ladakh tensions, India, China discuss joint military exercises|last=KRISHNAN|first=ANANTH|date=27 April 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/defence/new-appointee-lt-gen-joshi-is-the-perfect-man-to-lead-armys-fire-and-fury-corps/110370/|title=Why Modi govt & Army picked this general to protect borders with China & Pakistan |date=3 September 2018|website=theprint.in}}</ref><ref name="zeenews.india.com"/> The PLA holds him in great esteem and are in awe of his capacities as a soldier and diplomat. During the various meetings held after the Galwan incident the Chinese generals had displayed great reverence and were always cognizant of his presence as the Theatre Commander.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Gokhale |first=Nitin |user=nitingokhale |number=1362006053148188674 |date=17 February 2021 |title=Most detailed insight straight from the man who led Op Snow Leopard against China in Eastern Ladakh in the past 10 months. https://t.co/w0waRzLqgU |language=en |access-date=16 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206172017/https://twitter.com/nitingokhale/status/1362006053148188674 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> His valuable insights on China, PLA and their capacities were banked upon by the highest decision-making body in military matters in India.

The citation for the [[Vir Chakra]] reads as follows<ref name=Vir>{{cite web | title = Vir Chakra (VrC) Awardee: Lt Col Yogesh kumar Joshi, VrC | publisher = THE WAR DECORATED INDIA| url = http://twdi.in/node/3988|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>