KATHMANDU: Chhatra Man Singh Gurung, the second in command of the Nepal Army, on Wednesday received a formal appointment letter from the Defence Ministry as the acting Army Chief. The President had endorsed the cabinet meeting to appoint him as the acting Army Chief.

Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal on August 8, Friday had issued a letter informing the Ministry of Defence that he was going on leave from Monday which was approved by the Defence Ministry on the same day. Katawal in his letter had designated Chhatra Man Singh Gurung

, the second-in command, as the acting Army Chief of the Nepal Army effective from the same day he was going on leave. Katawal is retiring on September 9 from the post of the CoAS.