KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has appointed Chief of General Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma as the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS).
The appointment that will come into effect from September 9 was done as per the constitution upon the recommendation of the Cabinet, according to a statement issued by the Office of President on Friday.
Newly appointed Sharma, now 44th CoAS, has replaced Purna Chandra Thapa, whose three year’s term in the position is expiring on September 9. President is Commander-in-Chief of Nepal Army.
Born on 5 January 1964 in Kathmandu, Lieutenant General Sharma, who is currently serving as Acting Chief of Nepal Army, has got high level trainings in national defence from India, terrorism and security from the United States of America, defence from Thailand and Pakistan and peacekeeping from Bangladesh.
Having served as the Military Secretary, Director of the Directorate of Recruitment and Selection, and the Director of Planning Policy and Staff Duties in the Army Headquarters, Sharma is known to be well aware about current problems and challenges relating to national and international security.
Among his notable appointments during his 37 years in the Nepal Army so far are the Brigade Major and Operation Officer in a Division Headquarters, Directorate General of Military Operations and Director of Master General of Ordnance and Chief of Staff.
He had completed his Company Command and Staff Course from the Nepal Army War College in 1988-89 and Command and Staff Officers Course from Army Command and Staff College in 1996-97.
Similarly, he has done Master’s Degree in History from the Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Master of Philosophy in Defense and Strategic Study from the University of Madras, India. He has also attended seminar in NESA Centre, Washington DC and executive course in the APCSS in Hawaii, USA.
