Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth assumed command of the South Western Command, also known as Sapta Shakti Command, on November 1, 2023, in a formal ceremony held at the Prerna Sthal, Jaipur Military Station. During the ceremony, he paid his respects to the fallen soldiers.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun and he took over the command from Lieutenant General BS Raju, who retired on October 31, 2023.
Throughout his military career, Lt Gen Seth has held various leadership roles, including commanding Skinner’s Horse, an Armoured Brigade, and a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir. He also led a Strike Corps on the Western Front. Prior to his appointment as the commander of the South Western Command, he served as the General Officer Commanding in the Delhi Area.
The Staff appointments tenanted by him include Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade, Assistant Military Secretary at MS Branch, Brigadier General Staff (Operations) at HQ South Western Command and three tenures in different branches at the Army HQ.
He has also served as an Instructor and Assistant Adjutant at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and as a Colonel Instructor at the School of Armoured Warfare, The Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahmednagar. His international experience includes a mission with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission-III (UNAVEM-III) from 1995 to 1996, where he worked as an Operations Officer.
Upon taking command, Lt. Gen. Seth extended his warm greetings to all the members of Sapta Shakti Command, including the soldiers, veterans, and civilian employees, as well as their families. His extensive experience and dedication make him well-equipped to lead the South Western Command effectively.