Superseded Lt Gen Bakshi says he’s not quitting; Air Marshal Deo is new Vice-Chief of IAF

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 31

General Bipin Rawat today took over as Chief of Army Staff and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa as Chief of the Indian Air Force. They succeed General Dalbir Singh Suhag and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, respectively. Separate ceremonies were held on the South Block lawns and at the Air Headquarters.Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who was superseded by his junior General Rawat, said he would continue to lead the Eastern Command with “full professional sincerity”. Addressing all ranks through video-conferencing from his office at Fort William, Kolkata, he said: “I convey my best wishes and full support of the Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat.”He requested that “speculation and trolling should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the nation”.In New Delhi, Gen Dalbir Singh, after inspecting a guard of honour, said: “I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over, I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense.”Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa, the 25th IAF Chief, in his address to the air warriors, stressed on training and equipping the IAF to deter unconventional threats.Commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream in 1978, Dhanoa, who has flown various types of fighter aircraft and is a qualified flying instructor, commanded a fighter squadron during the Kargil operations.Meanwhile, Air Marshal SB Deo, who was heading the vital Delhi-headquartered Western Air Command (WAC), has been appointed Vice-Chief of the IAF. Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, who was heading IAF’s Shillong-based Eastern Command, has been moved to the WAC.Lt Gen Sharat Chand, South-Western Army Commander, may be appointed Vice-Chief, say sources.

Gen Bakshi not to resign, extends ‘full support’ to new army chief

NEW DELHI: Eastern Army commander Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi on Saturday extended his “best wishes and full support” to new army chief General Bipin Rawat, ending speculation that he may resign rather than serve under a junior officer.

PTIOutgoing army chief Gen Dalbir Singh (left) hands over the ceremonial baton to the new head of army, Gen Bipin Rawat on Saturday.

Rawat took over as army chief from General Dalbir Singh on Saturday, while Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa replaced Arup Raha as the IAF chief. In appointing Rawat as the army chief, the government had ignored the seniority principle and claims of Lieutenant Generals Bakshi and PM Hariz to the top position

In an exclusive interview carried in HT on Friday, Rawat said he expected “support and cooperation” from the two generals. “They have been cooperating all along, and I think they have been most supportive thus far. I expect the same in the future,” the new army chief said, adding that the generals were good friends and he had a lot of respect for them.

Commissioned into the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles, Rawat had won the Sword of Honour when he graduated from the Indian Military Academy.

Bakshi and Hariz were commissioned in December 1977 and June 1978, while Rawat joined the army in December 1978. However, Rawat’s experience in Kashmir and the Northeast tipped the scales in his favour.

Bakshi told officers under his command over video conference that he would continue to serve the army with “full professional sincerity”. “I convey my best wishes and full support of the Eastern Command to General Bipin Rawat, on having taken over as the chief of army staff,” he said. Bakshi also congratulated Rawat on his appointment over the phone.

An Eastern Command spokesperson said the new army chief has requested that speculation and trolling on media and Internet platforms must end, and “everybody should focus on contributing their best for the betterment of the army and the nation”.

Dhanoa, who was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot in June 1978, has clocked more than 3,000 flying hours and has an immaculate safety record.