The government appointed Lieutenant General Rukmangad Katuwal as acting Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Nepal Army on Friday.
Acting CoAS Rukmangad Katuwal (File Photo)
Outgoing army chief Pyar Jung Thapa (File Photo)
Katawal was appointed after Chief of Army Staff General Pyar Jung Thapa went on a traditional month-long leave before his retirement on September 9.
Thapa handed over his responsibility to Katuwal amidst a function at the Army Headquarters Friday itself, reports said.
Thapa had paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala earlier in the morning.
It is a tradition of the Army Chief to go on leave one month before his retirement date.
Katuwal is one of the generals interrogated by the High Level Probe Commission for his alleged role in atrocities during the People’s movement. nepalnews.com pb Aug 11 06
