Lieutenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag has taken over as the new Army chief. He succeeded the incumbent General Bikram Singh.

General Singh handed over the baton of charge to him today. 59-year-old Lieutenant General Suhag, a Gurkha officer who had participated in the 1987 Indian Peace Keeping Force operation in Sri Lanka, will have a 30-month tenure.

He was made the Vice Chief of Army Staff in December last year before which he was the Eastern Army Commander.
Earlier today, speaking to reporters, the outgoing Army chief General Bikram Singh said that Indian soldiers are prepared to meet any security challenge to the country.

He said the government is committed to meeting all needs of the Army.

Asked about skirmishes on the Western and Northern borders, General Singh said there are robust mechanisms and rules of engagement in place to deal with any tension.

On beheading of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops, he said India has given a befitting reply to Pakistan.