Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, has officially assumed command as the Director General of Assam Rifles.
Commissioned on June 9, 1990, from the 86th Regular Course at the Indian Military Academy, General Lakhera joined the 4 SIKH LI, later leading the unit in lower Assam under the Red Horn Division.
Throughout his career, General Lakhera has held numerous staff and instructional roles, including Divisional Officer and Training, Advising, and Counselling (TAC) Officer at NDA, Khadakwasla, MA to GOC-in-C at HQ Eastern Command, SO and Deputy MA to COAS, Director MO-2, and Deputy Cadre of the 93 Infantry Brigade.
He commanded the 15 Infantry Brigade in Sriganganagar before moving to HQ 4 Corps as Brigade (Q). From January 2022 to March 2024, he served as IGAR (North). Prior to becoming DGAR, General Lakhera held the positions of Additional Director General of Military Operations (IW), Director General of Military Operations, and IHQ of MoD (Army).
Academically, General Lakhera holds an MSc from Madras University, an MA from King’s College, London, and a Master in Management Studies from Osmania University. He is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Higher Defence Management Course. Additionally, he completed the prestigious NDC Course at The Royal College of Defence Studies, London.
General Lakhera’s extensive operational experience spans diverse terrains and multi-faceted operational areas such as the Line of Control, International Border, and the Northeast. He is well-versed in planning and conducting counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and Nagaland. His distinguished service has earned him several accolades, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card, and two GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
The General Officer hails from Tehri district in Uttarakhand and completed his graduation from DAV PG College, Dehradun, before joining the Indian Military Academy. His wife, Vibha Lakhera, is a freelance educator and active social worker.
