Lt Gen Hira chief of staff of Northern Command

Lt. Gen Narinder Pal Singh Hira has taken over as the chief of staff of the Northern Command, it was announced on Tuesday.

Commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry in 1978, he has a rich experience in western and eastern theatres and also in counter insurgency, both in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

He commanded an infantry battalion in Assam, a brigade in Uri, a division in Akhnoor and a corps in Jalandhar, a defence ministry statement said.

Having held many instructional and staff appointments in schools of instruction and headquarters, Hira has done all prestigious professional courses.