Two close aides of ex-Army chief V K Singh shifted

DGMO Lt Gen A K Choudhary and Delhi Area chief Lt Gen V K Pillai, considered close to Gen V K Singh, have been moved out of the capital as part of a major reshuffle at the Lt Gen-rank by Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh.

While Lt Gen Pillai has already been posted to the Chennai-based ATNK&K Area, the proposal for moving Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Choudhary has been sent to Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for final approval.

The developments took place in the last few days.

DG Infantry, Lt Gen Vindo Bhatia is replacing Lt Gen Choudhary whereas Lt Gen S Mitra, GOC ATNK&K Area has replaced Lt Gen Pillai here.

Lt Gen Choudhary, considered close to Gen V K Singh, had been nominated by the then Army chief to head the Assam Rifles after the abrupt recall of Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy from there.

The move to remove Lt Gen Pillai came soon after the Army headquarters was informed about allegations that a large number of guests of a former Army Chief, who lives in the Delhi Cantt area, were being looked after by the Delhi Area.

In other key appointments, Lt Gen J S Bajwa, who served under Gen Bikram Singh at the Eastern Command, has taken over as the DG Infantry.

Lt Gen D S Hooda, who was posted in the Strategic Forces Command here, has taken over as the 16 Corps Commander replacing Lt Gen A S Nandal.

More changes are expected to take place in the near future at the Army Headquarters as Army Chief has the prerogative of having the men of his choice as his Principal Staff Officers.