Former Army Chief General Vishwa Nath Sharma Passes Away at 96

2 August 2026National

General Vishwa Nath Sharma, the 14th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), passed away in New Delhi on 31 July 2026 at the age of 96 due to natural causes. He served as Army Chief from 1 May 1988 to 30 June 1990 and was commissioned into the 16th Light Cavalry in 1950, making him the first post-Independence commissioned officer to become Army Chief. During his tenure, India conducted Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (the Indian Peace Keeping Force, IPKF) and oversaw the de-induction of the IPKF. He was decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM). Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolences.

Static GK

Chief of Army Staff heads the Indian Army | Operation Pawan - IPKF in Sri Lanka (1987-90) | Awards: PVSM, AVSM | Army Day: 15 January

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Gen. Vishwa Nath Sharma, India's 14th Army Chief (1988-90) who oversaw the IPKF's operations in Sri Lanka, passed away at 96.

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