Kathmandu, September 10

President Ram Baran Yadav today appointed Rajendra Chhetri as the new Chief of Army Staff on the recommendation of the Cabinet.

Gen Chhetri succeeded Gaurav SJB Rana, who completed his three-year tenure as the head of the national army today itself. The president, who is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Nepali Army, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chhetri amidst a function held at the President’s Office in Shital Niwas.

Vice President Paramananda Jha, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, ministers, Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha, chiefs of constitutional bodies, among others, were present on the occasion.

The Council of Ministers on August 13 had recommended Chhetri for the post of army chief.

After taking oath of office, Gen Chhetri assumed office as the new CoAS, according to the Department of Public Relations of the Nepal Army.

Right after his succession, Gen Chhetri would face daunting challenges in reorienting and revamping the 93,000 plus force. His immediate tasks include playing a supportive role in the prolonged political transition and reconstruction of quake damaged infrastructures, framing a comprehensive national security policy as well as restructuring the NA in the new federal setup. Born in 1960 in Tanahun, Chhetri joined the Nepal Army in 1977.