Lt. Gen. (Retd) D. B. Shekatkar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM served in Indian Army for 4 decades. He participated in India-Pakistan war in 1965 in Kashmir, in 1971 in Western Theatre. During Kargil war in 1999 he was in-charge of entire China front in Arunachal Pradesh. He was in-charge of border management with China in Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and part of border with Bangladesh. He served extensively in North East combating insurgency in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and other areas. He served in Bluestar operations in Punjab and later, combated terrorism as Brigadier in Punjab, as Major General in Kashmir and as Lt General in Assam and other parts of North East India. He has experience of controlling communal violence in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. He served at Army Headquarters, New Delhi as Deputy Director General of Military operations (dealing with China and East Asia), as Additional Director General of Military operations and as Director General of Perspective (Strategic) planning. He served as member of “Joint Working Group” dealing with India-China boundary and other disputes. He also served as member of “Expert Group” dealing with boundary dispute. He was member of drafting team of Peace and Tranquillity Agreement signed during Prime Ministership of Shri Narsimha Rao. He has participated in negotiations with China on boundary issues. Also with Pakistan on Siachen Glacier issue. He was member of India-USA Defence Cooperation and Strategic Partnership initiatives. He forced a record number of terrorists in Kashmir (1267) trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan to give up terrorism and lead a normal life.

He has Co-authored 16 books on Security, Terrorism, Internal Security and Intelligence. One book has been published in USA by Centre for American and Global Security, Indiana University, Bloomington. He presided over the Expert Committee (also called as Shekatkar Committee) of Government of India to Re-orient India’s Defence Mechanism and Re-balancing of Defence Budget. After retirement he served as Chair Professor in Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Pune and Advisor Symbiosis University Pune. He is National President of Forum for Integrated Security of India. (FINS). He is Distinguished Fellow at The Centre for Joint Warfare (CENJOWS) New Delhi. He is associated with Large Number of Academic Institutions in Advisory Council and Governing Councils.

For his dedication, devotion, and contribution to the national cause, he has received Vishisht Seva Medal (1981), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (1997), Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2002) from the President of India.