India, July 31 -- Former army chief General Vishwa Nath Sharma passed away on Friday at the age of 96. He served as the army chief during 1988-90.

Sharma was the younger brother of Major Som Nath Sharma, the first soldier to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime honour, posthumously. An alumnus of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, General Sharma was commissioned into the 16 Light Cavalry in June 1950.

Offering his condolences on the former chief's demise, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on X, "Deeply saddened by the passing of former Chief of the Army Staff, General Vishwa Nath Sharma. A distinguished military leader, General Sharma served the Nation with unwavering dedication, courage and honour. He carried forw...