General Ved Prakash Malik (born 1 November 1939 in Dera Ismail Khan, North West Frontier Province, British India) served as the 19th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 30 September 1997 till 30 September 2000. Malik has received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service to the Indian Army and to the nation; He was the Army Chief during the Kargil War.