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New Delhi: The Army on June 1 effected a change of guard in the crucial Northern Army Command looking after the line of control (LoC) with Pakistan, with Lt Gen Hari Prasad taking over as a new General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Prasad took over the Northern Command from Lt General Nanavaty who retired on May 31. However, the Army has put off changing the command of the Srinagar based 15 Corps.

Lt Gen V G Patankar, who was to move over to Army Headquarters on promotion, will stay on till September 2003 in order to provide continuity in the Command in the crucial sector.

The Northern Command looks after the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh and a 940 km stretch of LoC with Pakistan stretching from just beyond Kargil to Chamb sector in Jammu as well as another 280 km stretch of international border with Pakistan.

Before taking over the command, Gen Prasad was Director General of Infantry at Army Headquarters.

For his outstanding performance and distinguished service of an exceptional order, he was awarded by the President of India, the Vishist Seva Medal in 1993 and Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 1998. The General Officer is also a recipient of the COAS Commendation Card in 1995.

PTI