Indian Army to witness changes at top level

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army is set to effect several top level changes in the coming weeks with senior officers either retiring or getting promoted.

The Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Philip Campose is to superannuate on July 31. Though no official order has been issued on his replacement, the front runner is GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt General M M N Rai.

Lt General Praveen Bakshi, currently serving as Chief of Staff, Northern Command, is expected to be elevated as Army commander and moved to Eastern Command, Defence sources said.

Interestingly, all three Corps in Jammu and Kashmir would have new commanders.

Lt General S K Patyal, an infantry officer who is currently with the Border Roads Organisation, would take over as GOC of the Leh-based 14 Corps, whose area of operation is Sino-India border, they said.

Lt Gen S K Dua will take over the command of the crucial Srinagar based 15 Corps while Lt Gen R R Nimbhorkar would be taking over command of 16 Corps at Nagrota, they added.