Allegiance India Service/branch Indian Army Name Harcharanjit Panag | Rank Lieutenant General Years of service 1969–2008 Children Gul Panag | |
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Awards Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal Commands GOC-in-C Northern Command
GOC-in-C Central Command Unit Mechanised Infantry Regiment People also search for Gul Panag, Sherbir Panag, Rishi Attari | ||
Lieutenant General Harcharanjit Singh Panag, was born on 4 December 1948 at Patiala, Punjab. He is a defence analyst and an ordinary member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Panag was previously an Indian Army officer. He was GOC-in-C, Northern Command and GOC-in-C, Central Command. He retired on 31 December 2008. On 22 June 2009, after his retirement from the Indian Army, he was appointed as an Administrative Member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench. He retired from Armed Forces Tribunal on 4 December 2013. He actively supported the India Against Corruption movement and later joined the Aaam Aadmi Party in January 2014.
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Early life, education and family
Harcharanjit Singh Panag was born in a Jatt Sikh family at Mahadian village, Fatehgarh Sahib district, in the Indian state of Punjab. His father, Colonel Shamsher Singh was a distinguished personality known for taking social initiatives in the field of development, education, ex-servicemen issues, gender equality and child rights.He was elected unopposed as the Sarpanch of his village for 20 years. His 67-year-old sister, Ms. Gurdeepak Kaur is a social activist and amateur Bullet rider. She joined AAP last year. His brother, Major General Charanjit Singh Panag (retired) has various publications to his credit. He has two children, a daughter from his first wife and a son from his second wife. His daughter from first wife, Gul Panag, is a Bollywood actress and social activist. His son from second wife, Sherbir Panag is an Associate with MZM Legal.
Military career
Lt General Panag was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry (the then Sikh Regiment) on 21 December 1969. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Higher Command Course, Mhow and the National Defence College, New Delhi.He has authored several publications concerning Indian defence forces and national security.
Panag is experienced in both counter-insurgency and high-altitude operations. He also saw action in various wars and military operations. During his career he has served in various positions:
Politics
Subsequent to his retirement from Chandigarh bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal, Panag showed support for the 2014 Anti-Corruption Movement but it was in third week of February 2014 that he openly expressed his support for the Aam Aadmi Party, confirming "I am just an ordinary member. I joined the party because it is different, sincere and honest,” adding that he would advise the party on strategic affairs and national security. Although he refused to contest election due to lack of inclination for the same, he participated in campaigns of Gul's 2014 Lok Sabha Poll rallies in Chandigarh and is an active member of AAP who takes keen interest in issues of national importance.
Honours and awards
H. S. Panag was the only three-star General from the Mechanised Infantry, held various significant posts, including Addl Director General (Perspective Planning) at the Army HQs, and won the following awards during his career: