Daily Times

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the 27th Indian army chief.

According to Indian media, Rawat succeeded General Dalbir Singh who was retired on Saturday.

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also took charge as the 25th Indian Air Force chief replacing Anup Raha. Rawat superseded two senior most Lt generals, Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz.

Bakshi, who heads the Kolkata-headquartered Eastern Command, announced “full support” to the new chief and told theatre officers through video conferencing he will continue to lead with “full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore”.

“I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff,” he said. Earlier, there was speculation that Lt Gen Bakshi may resign or take premature retirement. He had also met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar recently.

He requested that speculation and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the army and the nation. Speculation is rife that Bakshi may be given the new post of chief of defence staff. Sources, however, indicated that no such development will take place.

Gen Suhag, who superannuated on Saturday, said army is prepared to meet any challenge as he thanked the government for “providing a free hand” and implementing the one rank, one pension scheme. He said that infiltration bids had increased during the year and the number of terrorists killed was nearly double the previous year.

He said the army focused on operational preparedness during his tenure.