Kelash Kumar becomes first Hindu Lt Colonel in Pakistan Army

RAWALPINDI: In a first, Pakistan Army has promoted a Hindu officer Kelash Kumar to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, ARY News reported on Friday.

He is the first Hindu to attain this position in the Pakistan Army.

Kumar’s rank was upgraded from major to lieutenant colonel during the promotion boards. He passed out from the Pakistan Military Academy and was serving in the army’s medical corps.

Taking to the Twitter, Hindu activist Kapil Dev congratulated Kelash Kumar on the promotion.

History in Making

Kelash Kumar becomes the first #Hindu officer to have been promoted as Lieutenant Colonel in #PakArmy.

Congratulations, Kelash!!! pic.twitter.com/U0o6uApTTP

— Kapil Dev (@KDSindhi) February 24, 2022

In 2019, Dr Kelash Garvada became the first-ever Hindu Major in the Pakistan Army and was posted in the Ministry of Defence.

On the other hand, support for Lt Col Kelash Kumar’s promotion circulated on social media, with many celebrating that a member of one of Pakistan’s religious minority communities was serving the country.

Read more: Pakistan Army focused on ensuring country’ security: COAS Bajwa

“Congratulations to Lt Col Kelash Kumar. He proudly represents white in Pakistani flag”, wrote ARY News anchorperson, Waseem Abbasi.

Great news..Congratulations to Lt Col Kelash Kumar.. He proudly represents white in Pakistani flag https://t.co/JU9PsqpCf1

— Waseem Abbasi (@Wabbasi007) February 25, 2022

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry also took to Twitter to congratulate Kumar.

Congratulations #KelashKumar you are our pride…. #pakarmyzindabad https://t.co/oRDUGu8clU

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 25, 2022