Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff -

New Delhi: The new Chief of Defence Staff has been announced nine months after the tragic death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash. Retired Army Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan, who has extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast India, will be the new Chief of Defence Forces. Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan worked with the Government of India on national security and strategic matters after he retired from the Army.

After the untimely death of General Bipin Rawat, there was a wait for the last nine months to decide who would be appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The post of ‘CDS’ was created for the first time in the country two years ago to enhance the coordination and cooperation between the defence forces and speed up the decision-making process regarding the security and defence forces of the country. The defence forces and experts’a demand the post of ‘CDS’ for several years, considering the increasing security challenges in the country. This demand came true two years ago and General Bipin Rawat was appointed the country’s first defence chief. But General Rawat died in a helicopter accident in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor in December last year. General Rawat’s wife and 11 Air Force and Army officers were also martyred in this accident.

Nine months after the accident, Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan was appointed to this strategically important post. Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan has held many responsibilities in his 40 years of military service. He served as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. Also, after the appointment of former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane as the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan was made the head of the Eastern Command. Lt Gen Chauhan has extensive experience in anti-terrorist operations. Several such operations have been conducted under his leadership in Jammu and Kashmir, bordering Pakistan and North East India near the China border.

Lt Gen Anil Chauhan has been honoured with military medals like Param Vishishta Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishishta Seva Medal, Seva Medal, Sena Medal for his performance. He retired in May last year. After that, he continuously worked on the country’s security issues.

61-year-old Lt. Gen. Chauhan will get the rank of General after assuming charge as CDS. He will also be working as the Secretary of the Military Affairs Department along with the CDS post.