The last rites of Lieutenant General S.K. Sinha, a World War II veteran who was considered one of the most outstanding generals of the Indian Army, was held in the national capital today.
Army General Dalbir Singh, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani were among the dignitaries who paid homage to the war veteran.
The wreath laying ceremony of Lieutenant General Sinha took place at the Brar Square.
The body of Lieutenant General Sinha's coffin wrapped in the Indian national flag was accorded with 12 gun salutes.
Born in 1926, Lt Gen SK Sinha graduated with Honours from Patna University in 1942 at the young age of seventeen. He joined the Army soon thereafter passing out as the Best Cadet from the Officers Training School, Belgaum. He saw combat during the Second World War in Burma and Indonesia and after Independence in Kashmir.
The General commanded battalion of 5 GORKHA RIFILES in Ladakh, a brigade in Manipur, a Mountain Division in Assam, Infantry Division in Jammu, a Corps and a field Army in the Western Theatre. He also had the distinction of serving as Adjutant General and Vice Chief of Army Staff.
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During his varied career, Lt Gen Sinha, in 1949 was appointed Secretary of the Indian delegation for delineation of the Cease Fire Line in Kashmir.
In 1972 he led the Indian delegation to Italy for a conference on application of human rights to warfare. In recognition of his service he was awarded Param Vishist Sewa Medal in 1973.
As a Statesman, Lt. Gen Sinha was appointed India's Ambassador to Nepal in 1990.
A prolific writer, he authored five books including one on Jammu and Kashmir Operation of 1947-48 and his autobiography, "A Soldier Recalls".