August 13, 2015
Rajendra Chhetri was born on November 16, 1960. Chhetri is a third generation army man. His grandfather Balendra Bahadur Khatri was a major during the Rana regime, while his father Gopal Bahadur Khatri retired as a colonel. His elder brother Ramindra Chhetri is a major general, while his younger brother Ratindra Khatri retired as colonel.
Chhetri joined the Nepali Army in October 1978 and graduated from the Nepalese Military Academuy, Kharipati, one year later. He was a 15th batch cadet. He will be the first Chief of Army Staff to be commissioned from a Nepali Army academy and will be one of the youngest chiefs in recent past.
During his 36-year career, he has been to several United Nations peace missions, including Lebanon, Afghanistan, Haiti and Department of Peace Keeping Operation. He attended the Staff College and the War College at the United States Military Academy in Pennsylvania. Chhetri was military adviser to former COAS General Rookmangud Katawal. He is regarded as an excellent military planner.
Last Sunday, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav assigned Chhetri to take charge as the Acting Chief of Army Staff effective from August 11. This was at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers and in accordance with the Clause (8) 3 of the Army Act, 2063.
As stated in a communiqué issued by Chakra Bahadur Budha, Spokesman at the Office of the President, COAS Gaurab Shumsher Rana will stay on home leave as he is taking compulsory retirement after one month. Rana will formally retire on September 10.
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