Raj Mohan Vohra Explained

Honorific Prefix:Lieutenant General
R M Vohra
Honorific Suffix:PVSM, MVC
Birth Date:7 May 1932
Alma Mater:St.Edward's School, Shimla
Birth Place:Simla, Punjab Province, British India
Death Place:New Delhi, Delhi, India
Allegiance:India
Branch:Indian Army
Serviceyears:1952–1990
Rank:Lieutenant General
Servicenumber:IC-6121
Unit:14th Horse
4th Horse
Commands:Eastern Army
4th Horse
Battles:Indo-Pakistan War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards:Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Maha Vir Chakra

Lieutenant General Raj Mohan Vohra, PVSM, MVC (7 May 193214 June 2020) was a General Officer of the Indian Army. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery and leadership in the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Vohra was born on 7 May 1932 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India to Bakshi Sant Ram. He attended St. Edward's School in Shimla. He had four brothers, all of whom joined the Indian Army. They all served in the Indian Armoured Corps as well. All the brothers rose to be General Officers – two Major Generals and two Lieutenant Generals.

Career

Vohra was commissioned into 14 Horse on 4 December 1952. As a major, in 1963, he was selected to attend the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.[3] During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, he fought in the Punjab sector.

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded the 4 Horse in Shakargarh sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[1]

On 5 December, his regiment spearheaded the advance of the 54th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General WAG Pinto, and captured well protected important positions such as Bhairo Nath, Bari Lagwal, Chamrola, Dharman, Chakra and Dehlra. During the Battle of Basantar, his regiment came under heavy fire from the enemy and faced heavy resistance but destroyed 27 enemy tanks. His unit suffered little casualties and faced repeated attacks from the enemy. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery and leadership.[4] [1]

Maha Vir Chakra

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[5] [6]

As a General Officer, Vohra commanded the Army War College, Mhow (then called College of Combat), which was also commanded by his brother, Inder Mohan Vohra.[7] Vohra served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from 1988 to 1990.

Honours and decorations

Param Vishisht Seva MedalMaha Vir Chakra
ONUCSamanya Seva MedalSamar Seva StarPaschimi Star
Raksha MedalSangram MedalSainya Seva MedalVidesh Seva Medal
25th Anniversary Independence medal30 Years Long Service Medal20 Years Long Service Medal9 Years Long Service Medal

Death

He died on 14 June 2020 from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Book: B. Chakravorty. Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. 1995. Allied Publishers. U.P. Thapliyal. During Indo-Pak War 1972, Lt Col Vohra commanded the 4 Horse in Shakargarh sector. 370. 81-7023-516-2.
  2. Web site: Lt Gen Raj Mohan Vohra, PVSM, MVC (retd) @ TWDI. twdi.in. 2019-07-12.
  3. Web site: DEFENCE SERVICES STAFF COLLEGE RESULTS . pibarchive.nic.in . 17 April 1964.
  4. http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/raj-mohan-vohra Battle of Basantar citation
  5. Web site: RAJ MOHAN VOHRA Gallantry Awards . gallantryawards.gov.in.
  6. Web site: Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Lt Gen Raj Mohan Vohra, PVSM, MVC (retd) @ TWDI . twdi.in. 2019-07-12.
  7. Web site: ..:: India Strategic ::. Appointments: Air Marshal SBP Sinha is IAF's new Deputy Chief. www.indiastrategic.in. April 2014. 2019-07-12.
  8. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/fallen-warrior-a-final-farewell Fallen warrior: A final farewell
  9. Web site: Shukla . Ajai . 1971 war hero Lieutenant General R M Vohra dies of Covid-19 . Business Standard India . 16 June 2020.