Hoon was the head of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps when the army launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984, the first assault to take control of strategic heights on Siachen, a 76-km river of slow-moving ice.
Updated on: Jan 8, 2020, 03:41:55 IST
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh/New Delhi | By HT News Desk
Lieutenant general Prem Nath Hoon (retd), under whose leadership the army secured the Siachen glacier in 1984, died in Panchkula on Monday after a stroke. He was 90.
Hoon retired as the Western Command chief in 1987. (HT FILE PHOTO)
Hoon was the head of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps when the army launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984, the first assault to take control of strategic heights on Siachen, a 76-km river of slow-moving ice.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
India deployed its soldiers at Siachen after Pakistan began allowing international mountaineering expeditions to the glacier, sending out a signal that it controlled the area.
Hoon retired as the Western Command chief in 1987. Commissioned into the Sikh regiment two years after Partition, he also served as the director general of military operations. Hoon joined the Shiv Sena two decades ago, and later the BJP in 2013.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to highlight Hoon’s contribution to the country.
“Extremely saddened by the passing away of Lt Gen PN Hoon (retd). He served India with utmost dedication and contributed significantly towards making our nation stronger and more secure. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” the PM tweeted.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Born in 1929 at Abbottabad in Pakistan, Hoon joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in 1947.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Born in 1929 at Abbottabad in Pakistan, Hoon joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in 1947.
{{/usCountry}}
“I was sure about what I wanted and went ahead to achieve it,” the general told HT last June.
Lieutenant General KJ Singh (retd), a former chief of Western Command, recalled Hoon’s contribution in securing the Siachen glacier.
“He had anchored Operation Meghdoot, wherein Indian Army pre-empted and prevented Pakistan’s attempts to annex the Siachen. In his loss, we have lost a veteran, who was a role model for the young generation,” he said, adding that Hoon was involved in activities relating to national integration and veteran welfare.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
