Lieutenant General Ravi Thodge took over command of the elite 1 Corps on 11 August 2013. He has vast combat experience and took part in ‘Operation Pawan’ in Sri Lanka, ‘Operation Meghdoot’ in Siachin, ‘Operation Vijay’ in Kargil. He has also served in Counter Insurgency operations in Punjab, North East and Jammu & Kashmir. He was commissioned into 1ST GORKHA RIFLES in 1977 and commanded 5th Battalion of 1st GORKHA RIFLES during ‘Operation Vijay’ in Kargil. He also commanded a brigade and Combat Insurgency Force in J & K. He has been a commando instructor in the Infantry School, Belgaum and Chief Instructor in Defence Services Staff College at Wellington.