Rajendra Ramrao Nimbhorkar

Nimbhorkar hails from a farming family in Vidarbha, Maharashtra. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara; National Defence Academy, Pune and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He has also attended the military course at National Defence University, Washington DC and the National Defence College, Dhaka.[2]

Nimbhorkar was commissioned into 15 Punjab Regiment in 1979. He has served in an operational role in several regions including Leh, Kargil, Kashmir Valley, Poonch, Rajauri, Rajasthan and Northeast India. He has held various command positions including 15 Punjab in Jammu and Kashmir; an infantry brigade Naoshera; Rashtriya Rifles; General Officer Commanding (GOC), Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa; GOC-in-C of XVI Corps (Nagrota) in 2015 before taking over as MGO at Army HQ. He has served as a UN military observer in Angola. He was also appointed the Colonel of the Punjab Regiment on 1 March 2015 and only the second Maharashtrian after Lt General Thorat to hold the post.[2][5]

Nimbhorkar was critically injured during Operation Vijay on Line of Control in Rajouri sector, commanding 15 Punjab. He also captured an enemy post in Dras sector as a Captain and he killed 22 terrorists in Baramulla district of Kashmir as a Major.[2]

During his career, he has been awarded COAS Commendation Card; C-in-C SFC Commendation Card; Sena Medal (gallantry) commanding a company in Dras sector; Sena Medal (distinguished service) commanding a brigade in Naoshera; Vishisht Seva Medal in Akhnoor sector; Uttam Yudh Sewa Medal in Nagrota; Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in south Kashmir and Param Vishisht Seva Medal as Master General of the Ordnance. He also hold the distinction of having received an award at each level of service and only serving officer to get the maximum number of gallantry or distinguished service awards.[2][6][5]