GENERAL BIKRAM SINGH, former chief of Army staff In the international environment, Bajwa’s conduct was outstanding and he was an extremely professional soldier

NEW DELHI: Newly appointed Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa served in a UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2007 under an Indian Army general.

As a brigade commander, Bajwa then reported to Major General Bikram Singh (later General and Indian Army chief). Bikram Singh was then the General Officer Commanding Eastern Division (multi-national division) and Bajwa’s brigade was one of the brigades under him.

General Bikram Singh told HT, “In the international environment, Bajwa’s conduct was outstanding and he was an extremely professional soldier.”

While border violations by Pakistan fuel tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops are making joint efforts to see peace return to the war-scarred African paradise. General Singh said under the UN banner, the approach of international armies is different as they are working for a common cause. “However, in your own country, primacy of national interest governs your conduct.”

Senior Army officers described Bajwa as an “old Kashmir hand” with firsthand experience of operational aspects related to Line of Control and Kashmir. He commanded the Pakistan Army’s 10 Corps responsible for guarding the LoC. A senior officer said it was too early to say whether Bajwa would carry forward a legacy or evolve an approach of his own