Lt Gen Surinder Singh to be Western Army Commander

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 9

The Ministry of Defence has finalised the new officers who will be the Western Army Commander, Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI) and the Master General Ordnance (MGO) of the Indian Army.

The previous DGMI Lt Gen KG Krishna retired on July 31 and will be replaced by Lt Gen SK Patyal, the Leh-based 14 Corps Commander. Orders in this regard are expected soon.

The MoD has also finalised Lt Gen Surinder Singh as the Western Army Commander. He is from the mechanised infantry and now heads the Sukhna-based 33 Corps. The outgoing Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh retired on July 31.

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Lt Gen DR Soni, an Armoured Corps officer, who till a forthnight ago was commanding the Bathinda-based 10 Corps is set to be heading the Shimla-based Army Training Command (ARTRAC).  The appointment of Lt Gen Soni will come into force from August 31 when the present ARTRAC commander Lt Gen PM Hariz takes over as Southern Army Command on September 1, replacing Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, who has been appointed as the next Vice-Chief of the Army. The present Vice-Chief Lt Gen MMS Rai retires on August 31.

Lieutenant General RR Nimbhorkar is set to be the new MGO. He will be responsible for all armament, ammunition, vehicles, clothing and all equipment. The post does not have a regular appointee since Lt Gen Ravi Thodge retired last month.