Harcharanjit Singh Panag

Lieutenant General Harcharanjit Singh Panag, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (retired) (born 4 December 1948) is an Indian political activist associated with the Aam Aadmi Party. He advises AAP on strategic affairs. Panag was previously a military officer, serving as the GOC-in-C Northern Command and GOC-in-C Central Command. In December 2008, after his retirement from the military, he was appointed as an Administrative Member of the Armed Forces Tribunal. He actively participated in the India Against Corruption movement and later joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Early life, education and family
One of the Indian Army's most upright and cerebral generals, Harcharanjit Singh Panag was born in a Jatt Sikh Rajput family at Mahadian village, Fatehgarh Sahib district, in the Indian state of Punjab. His father, Colonel Shamsher Singh was a distinguished personality of his times known for his high values and for taking social initiatives in the field of development, education, ex-servicemen issues, gender equality and child rights to name a few. By the time he retired, such was his stature and following that he was elected unopposed as the Sarpanch of his village for 20 years. His 67 year old sister, Ms. Gurdeepak Kaur is a social activist and amateur Bullet rider. She joined AAP last year. His brother, Major General Charanjit Singh Panag (retired), an officer of distinction in the Indian Army, has various publications to his credit. He has two issues, one daughter and one son. His daughter, Gul Panag, an acclaimed actress and social activist, is daughter-in-law of Col. Harinder Singh Attari and great-granddaughter-in-law of General Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala. His son Sherbir Panag is an Associate with MZM Legal and has specialist knowledge in areas of International White Collar Crime and Criminal Compliance.

Military career
Panag was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry (former Sikh Regiment) on 21 December 1963. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Higher Command Course, Mhow and the National Defence College, New Delhi. General Panag is known for his patriotism, impartiality and level-headedness apart from being an idealistic, hardworking and honest man with very strong likes and dislikes. He has authored several publications concerning Indian defence forces and national security.

During Panag's tenure as Army Commander Northern Command there was visible decrease in cross-border infiltration and he ordered 120 Courts of Inquiry to curb corruption. Some key cases:
 * Tent scam: Inquiry and action into the "emergency" purchase of tents by Deepak Kapoor
 * Egg scam: Issued showcause notices to officers and men, including a Maj Gen
 * Diversion of high-altitude rations: An inquiry was ordered
 * Frozen meat scam: Issued a letter of displeasure to Lt Gen S.K.Dahiya
 * Pressed for a crackdown on corruption at the Army Commanders Conference

Panag is experienced in both counter-insurgency and high-altitude operations. He also saw action in various wars and military operations. During his career he has served in various positions:


 * Instructor in the Indian Military Officers Training Academy.
 * Commanded an Infantry brigade.
 * Commanded the army's Northern Command, Udhampur.
 * Commanded the army's Central Command, Lucknow.

Politics
Subsequent to his retirement from Chandigarh bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal, Panag showed support for the 2014 Anti-Corruption Movement but it was in third week of February 2014 that he openly expressed his support for the anti-corruption crusader Aam Aadmi Party, confirming "I am just an ordinary member. I joined the party because it is different, sincere and honest,” adding that he would advise the party on strategic affairs and national security. Although he refused to contest election due to lack of inclination for the same, he participated in campaigns of Gul's 2014 Lok Sabha Poll rallies in Chandigarh and is an active member of AAP who takes keen interest in issues of national importance.

Honours and awards
H. S. Panag was the only three-star General from the Mechanised Infantry, held various significant posts, including Addl Director General (Perspective Planning) at the Army HQs, and won the following awards during his career:
 * Param Vishisht Seva Medal
 * Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
 * Vishisht Seva Medal
 * ADC