Army's Public Relations legend Colonel Prem Nath Khera dies in Delhi

Army’s Public Relations legend Colonel Prem Nath Khera dies in Delhi

Colonel Prem Nath Khera, an Army veteran who was best known for 17 years as PRO Army and then Director PR Army, Navy, and Air Force, passed away on Thursday, January 25, at the age of 85 due to congestive heart failure.

According to the Army spokesman, Colonel Khera served the force for 30 years, 17 of them in the Directorate Of Public Relations. He began service as an Army Education Corps (AEC) officer and served as a frontline soldier in the 1965 and 1971 wars.

In 1976, he was hand-picked for the civilian post at Indian Information Services (IIS), as a Public Relations Officer, Indian Army when he was a Major, the spokesman added.

In 1982, Colonel Khera received the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for distinguished service and the army chief’s commendation card from the then President, Giani Zail Singh.

Initially posted as PRO Army, he later rose to be the joint director (public relations) with the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.

“In 1992, he took voluntary retirement from the service, after which he served as Chief Executive of PTI-TV, before starting his own production house and defence news agency in 1997,” the spokesman said.

Colonel Khera continued an active life until Monday, January 22, 2024, when he was suddenly admitted to the Army Research And Referral Hospital, New Delhi, for congestive heart failure, the spokesman said.

On January 25 at 3:30 AM, he passed away in his sleep, he added.

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