Lt Gen RS Dayal, MVC

Lt-Gen Dayal passes away
The Gen was a legend and captured Hajipir Pass in 1965 War.
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, January 29

Lt-Gen Ranjit Singh Dayal (retd), a former Lieutenant-Governor of Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also former Governor of Goa, breathed his last at the Command Hospital here this evening. A highly decorated officer, General Dayal had been suffering from prostrate cancer, detected a few years ago. He was admitted to the hospital a few days back for terminal care after his condition deteriorated. Born at Kurukshetra on November 15, 1928, General Dayal was selected to the Indian Military Academy in 1946. He was commissioned in the Army. He joined the Punjab Regiment (Para) and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, which took part in the 1948 Indo-Pak war. He was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for capturing the strategically important Haji Pir Pass in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. He was survived by his wife and daughter. His cremation would take place with full military honours at the Sector-25 crematorium in Chandigarh at 2 pm tomorrow.

Tributes

Another good man gone. Great soldier, friend and an officer. We were together in Para Bde for 4 yrs and he was a great role model for youngsters. Daring, correct in his behavior and good fun. Though he was over four years senior to us we were BMs of bdes before '65 Ops and had some good evenings together when I went to Agra for a para refresher. I was in touch with him till very recently. May God rest his soul in peace.
Lt Gen SK Bahri
Former MGO

Lt Gen Ranjit Dayal was a soldier to the core and a perfect gentlemen in deed and spirit. It was my good fortune to have interacted with him at various times during my career and to have served as his Chief of Staff at HQ Southern Command when he was the Army Commander.
We in the Army mourn his loss and shall miss him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Lt Gen Gurinder
Former Northern Army Commander

Lt Gen RS Dayal, PVSM, MVC, ADC was a great and brave soldier who distinguished himself in 1965 War as a major, when he led an assault during night time, and captured the important Hijipir Pass, in Jammu and Kashmir. He was awarded well deserved MVC for this and some other daring operations preceding capture of Hajipir Pass. Subsequently, he had a chequered career in India and abroad (Gaza) in higher appointments till he retired as GOC-in-C Southern Command in 1986.
Later he was Lt Governor of Pondichery, Andaman and Nicobar as also member UPS.
His tactful handling of the situation as Chief of Staff Western Command, during Operation Blue Star in 1984, by personally interacting with the agitated population around Amritsar, saved the situation in that area from flaring up.
I had the privilege of serving with him as Chief Signal Officer when he was the Army Commander Southern Command. His manner of command was by going to the place of action and not be office bound.
He had excellent relations with his counter parts in the Navy and Air Force, his peers and civil functionaries.
Gen Dayal was was a very humane, helpful, approachable, big hearted and popular officer who was held in very high esteem by the officers and men. Gen Dayal was also a good sportsman, excelling in hockey and golf. Parachuting was another sport after his heart.
The Indian Defence Forces have lost a great and legendary General and leader in his passing away. May his soul rest in peace.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM
Former Signal Officer-in-Chief

Very sad news indeed. Although I had heard a great deal about this legendary and decorated soldier I first met Gen Dayal when he was Army Commander Southern Command, Pune, where I was also posted as Divisional Commissioner.
Ever smiling, with a large and warm heart, he had magnetic personality. We will all miss him.
Mr. KS Sidhu, IAS (Retd)
Former Divisional Commissioner Pune and Secretary Govt of Maharashtra