A top-level change of guard in the Army was approved by the Government today. Lt Gen S. Pattabhiraman, currently the Western Army commander will be the new Vice Chief from October 1, taking over from Lt Gen B.S. Thakur who retires at the end of this month.The Army’s Training commander Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor will take charge of the Army’s Udhampur-based Northern Command on September 5, replacing Lt Gen Hari Prasad who retired today. Gen Kapoor, an artillery officer, has spent just under six months at the Shimla-based ARTRAC. On October 1, ARTRAC will be commanded by Lt Gen K.S. Jamwal, an artillery officer and currently chief of staff of the command.The Army’s sword-arm Western Command will be commanded by Lt Gen Daljeet Singh from October 1. Currently GOC of a Corps in the North East, Gen Singh, from the Armoured Corps, replaces Gen Pattabhiraman, who will be taking over as Vice Chief at Army HQ.
