Kathmandu, July 31: President Ramchandra Poudel has appointed Lieutenant General Ashokraj Sigdel as the Acting Chief of Staff of the Nepal Army.
Sigdel has been appointed as the Acting CoAS as the Incumbent Chief of Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma will retire after his three-year term comes to an end on coming September 9. There is a provision that the Chief of Army Staff goes on leave for one month before retirement.
Lieutenant General Sigdel has been designated the Acting CoAS, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers on the basis of seniority, with effect from coming August 9, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Office of the President, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai.
Who is Ashokraj Sigdel?
Lt. Gen. Sigdel pursued his Professional Military education both in Nepal and abroad. He is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, Shivapuri, Nepal, and the National Defence University, China. Additionally, he completed the Higher Command and Management Course at the Army War College in Nepal and the Defence Management Course in India. He also participated in various workshops and professional seminars both at national and international levels.
Apart from his military achievements, Lt. Gen. Sigdel holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Tribhuvan University, Nepal and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the National Defence University, China.
During his 37-year illustrious career, Lt. Gen. Sigdel served in diverse staff and leadership roles at home and abroad. He has served as Commandant of the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School and commanded an Infantry Brigade and Division respectively. In addition, he served as the Director of the Directorate of Military Operations and the DG of the Department of Staff Duties, Policy and Plans. Furthermore, he held the position of Military Assistant to the Chief of the Army Staff.
Lt. Gen. Sigdel also led the Nepali Army delegation for the US-Nepal 3rd Land Force Talk in 2022 and served as the Secretary of the Covid Crisis Management Center (CCMC) during the Covid-19 pandemic 2019.
His extensive UN peacekeeping experience includes serving in challenging locations such as former Yugoslavia, Tajikistan, and Liberia.
Recognized for his meritorious service, Lt. Gen. Sigdel has been decorated with various distinguished national and international medals, including the Suprabal Janasewashree III for his outstanding contribution to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also received the COAS Commendation Badge twice.
Lt. Gen. Sigdel is married to Mrs. Nita Sigdel, and the couple has a son, Ashutosh Sigdel. Alongside his regular morning workout routine, he enjoys listening to music, reading books, and indulging his passion for trekking whenever time permits. #nepalArmy #AshokSigdel #NA
