Article Posted on : - Sep 02, 2016

PUNE (PTI): Lt General P M Hariz, a decorated officer who also participated in UN assignments, on Thursday took charge as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the city-headquartered Southern Command.

Hariz succeeded Lt General Bipin Rawat, who has proceeded to Delhi to assume duties of VCOAS (Vice Chief of Army Staff).

On assuming charge of the largest geographical formation of the Indian Army, the General laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the martyrs. He was thereafter was given a guard of honour.

Prior to the current appointment, Hariz, who was commissioned in June 1978, was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army Training Command at Shimla.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Hariz was commissioned into 12 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.

He later commanded 19 Mechanised Infantry Battalion, a defence release said.

The officer has a vast experience of serving on prestigious staff and command appointments.

He has the unique distinction of holding various UN appointments, which include a tenure as Military Observer, Chief Personnel Officer and Regional Commander in Angola, it said.

He is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.