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 VP Malik
Articles by VP Malik

Spice of Life: Army chief’s dilemma on Kuala Lumpur tour

At the dinner, there was a large gathering of civil and military officials of both countries. To everyone’s surprise, I came wearing a colourful Malaysian batik bush shirt, the Indian officers were quite shocked

The army chief’s luggage containing his uniforms was left behind during the air transit. (HT File)
Published on Jun 18, 2024 02:33 PM IST
ByGeneral VP Malik (retd)

Guest column | A soldier’s memorable tales from Ladakh

Former army chief recounts his daring journey to Ladakh during the 1962 Indo-China war, sharing anecdotes of fear, bravery and camaraderie

In October 1962, when China attacked India in Ladakh, I was attending the Platoon Weapons Course in Mhow as a young lieutenant. The course was cut short and we were ordered to join our units forthwith. (Representational Image/HT File)
Updated on Mar 03, 2024 08:08 AM IST
ByGeneral VP Malik ( Retd)

What will it take to bring peace to Assam?

As the Centre signs a pact with a faction of ULFA, Assam, with a decades-long history of insurgency, is ready to turn the page. Here's why it's time

Army, Assam Rifles, CAPF & police personnel during their 'Extensive Area Domination Operations' to bring peace & harmony in violence-hit areas of Manipur. (PTI File Photo)
Published on Jan 06, 2024 11:54 AM IST

Remembering Vajpayee, warrior with will to win

We were at the helipad when Pakistan army started shelling Kargil. I told the Prime Minister that the helipad was in the artillery guns trajectory shadow so nothing would happen here. While some people in his party panicked, Vajpayee watched the shelling and kept chatting calmly.

On Christmas, India remembered former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the beginning of his centenary year. (HT File)
Updated on Jan 01, 2024 05:50 AM IST
ByGeneral VP Malik (retd)

Spice of Life: Delivering happiness to soldiers at Walong

By digging trenches, my soldiers had violated a sacred piece of village land. To appease their tribal gods, the village required to make a human sacrifice!

In 1974, on promotion to the rank of Lt Col, I was assigned to take over a Sikh Light Infantry battalion in NEFA. (HT File)
Updated on Dec 11, 2023 08:42 AM IST
ByGeneral VP Malik (retd)

Spice of Life | Op Cactus: Indian troops to rescue of Maldives, minister’s mother-in-law

At its request, the ATC switches its runway lights ‘on’ and then ‘off’. Are we in luck? When Friendly One closes in and is only 200m above sea level, the runway lights are switched ‘on’ again. Inside the aircraft, the tension and silence is palpable.

In November 1988, IL-76 airlifted the entire Indian Army contingent that took part in Operation Cactus launched to help thwart attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government in Maldives. (PTI)
Updated on Nov 22, 2023 09:32 AM IST
ByGen VP Malik (retd)

Spice of Life: A visit to Israel, an enriching experience

What impressed me most about the Israel Defence Forces was the highly professional, informal but ‘no nonsense’ conduct of its men and women soldiers. There were no protocols – only simple functionality

During the visit, I called on the Israeli defence minister Yitzhak Mordecai and addressed the Israeli National Defence College in Tel Aviv. (HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 15, 2023 07:42 AM IST
ByGen VP Malik (retd)

Lowering the status of the armed forces will affect their morale

The armed forces personnel are always conscious of their social status and it is society and the backing of the government that make them give their best in war and peace

Army chief General Dalbir Singh interacts with female officers at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday(SONE MEHTA / HT)
Updated on Oct 25, 2016 03:26 PM IST
ByGen. VP Malik

A man of few words, he meant business

The national security adviser asked me for an organisation chart of the Army Headquarters. I sent it with a personal note. The note was returned with the remark "Thanks". The name "Brijesh", as written by me, was corrected to "Brajesh". A month later, he rang up and said, "Boss (PM) wants you to meet him at 10 am on May 9, 1998 at his residence." Gen VP Malik (retd) writes

HT Image
Updated on Nov 06, 2012 11:06 AM IST
None | ByGen VP Malik (retd)

Remember the time?

Two years ago, a ministry of defence (MoD) report had stated that “the possibility of China and Pakistan joining forces in India’s farthest frontiers, illegally occupied by the two neighbours, would have direct military implications for India”. VP Malik writes.

HT Image
Updated on May 12, 2011 11:39 PM IST
Hindustan Times | ByVP Malik
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