The government on Wednesday asserted that the appointment of Lieutenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army Chief is final as the Congress raked up a controversy involving minister and former Army chief Gen V K Singh and demanded his resignation.
Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, whose promotion was held up by former Army Chief Gen V K Singh, was on Friday appointed as the chief of the Kolkata-based Eastern Army Command.
In an exclusive Interview with CNN-IBN, Army Chief General V K Singh clears his stand on the fresh controversy regarding the show cause notice to Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag and the related succession issue.
Overturning the decision of his predecessor Gen V K Singh, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh has lifted the ban on promotion of Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag clearing the way for his appointment as Eastern Army Commander.
Army Chief Gen V K Singh on Tuesday gave ten more days to 3 Corps Commander Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who could head the force in two years, for replying to a show cause notice, days after the defence ministry sought a detailed report on this issue.
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Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag will be the next Army Chief succeeding Gen Bikram Singh as the government on Tuesday appointed him to the top post, ignoring protests from Bharatiya Janata Party.
The defence ministry on Monday decided to go ahead with the process of appointing the next army chief as it recommended the name of Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag for the top post.
Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, whose appointment as Army chief had kicked up a row, on Thursday took over as the next head of the 1.3 million strong force succeeding Gen Bikram Singh who is retiring.
As Central Bureau of Investigation looks into army chief General V K Singh's letter seeking probe into the allegations of corruption against Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, Defence Minister A K Antony disclosed Thursday that the official has been recommended for promotion as a Commander of a sector.
Speculation are rife that he may seek premature retirement or will be given a new role by the government.
The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to give an early hearing on a plea challenging the appointment of Army vice chief Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army chief and directed listing of the case in the second week of July.
General Singh assured the nation that the Indian Army is highly motivated and ready to respond to any threats to national security.
Lieutenant General (retired) Jacob Farj Rafael Jacob Jacob, who played a key role in the 1971 war which liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan, was laid to rest in New Delhi on Thursday.
"Now how much should it have been politicised, whether it is right or wrong is something that should be asked to politicians," he said.
Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, whose appointment as army chief had kicked up a row, will on Thursday take over as the next head of the 1.3 million strong force succeeding Gen Bikram Singh who is retiring.
The appointment of Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next army chief will not be affected by the change of government, said new Defence Minister Arun Jaitley whose party BJP had strongly opposed the United Progressive Alliance government for elevating him to the top post.
"The force is to maintain peace and tranquillity at the border but it will not shy away from flexing its muscles, if the need be," Gen Rawat said.
The Congress on Wednesday stepped up attack on Union minister V K Singh, saying his remarks against the army chief-designate were unbecoming of a minister and a former general of the armed forces and demanded that the prime minister "censure" him.
After the defence ministry termed as "illegal" his decision to put a ban on promotion of Army Chief designate Dalbir Suhag, Gen (retd)V K Singh, now a Union minister, justified his action on Tuesday.
Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag will attend an inaugural United Nations conference on peacekeeping operations
Lt Gen Bakshi announced 'full support' to the new chief and made it clear that he won't resign.
Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh on Friday met his predecessor and Minister for Development of Northeast Region Gen (retd) V K Singh, who reportedly did not share good vibes with him, and discussed with him issues of mutual interest as the Army has substantial presence in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hosted a farewell dinner for outgoing Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh.
The army is celebrating the 17th Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate the victory in the war against Pakistan.
"The army chief chief reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and also operational preparedness of Northern Command at a high-level meeting," officials said.
Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Tuesday visited the forward areas in Rajouri and Jammu districts and reviewed the overall security situation in the region.
Defence sources had said possible 'action plan' was also discussed about how the Army can respond to the attack.
At least 20 other soldiers are injured including some very seriously.
The Election Commission on Monday gave a go-ahead to the Defence Ministry to initiate the process of appointing the next Army chief, an issue that has got caught in a controversy because of stiff opposition in the matter by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Election Commission on Monday gave a go-ahead to the Defence Ministry to initiate the process of appointing the next Army chief, an issue that has got caught in a controversy because of stiff opposition in the matter by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Veterans protesting for early implementation of One Rank, One Pension are likely to meet Modi in the last week of August.
Subramanian Swamy on Saturday came out in support of V K Singh, amid the ongoing row over Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag's affidavit against him
Inclement weather on Thursday forced Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag to cancel their scheduled visit to Drass for paying homage to the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil war.
India celebrates 17th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Tuesday, pays homage to martyrs of 1999 war.
It is believed that the attack was the handiwork of a freshly-infiltrated group of terrorists who could have entered along the Salamabad Nallah into the town.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag besides other senior officials attended a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a strong message to Pakistan, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday asserted that Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any ceasefire violation by it.
Amid strong opposition by BJP to appointment of next Army Chief, the government on Friday said the matter has been referred to the Election Commission and any decision will be taken only after getting its nod.
Suhag has filed an affidavit in Supreme Court, accusing the minister of trying to scuttle his promotion to the appointment of army commander.
