KATHMANDU: Major General Prabhu Ram Sharma’s promotion to the post of Lieutenant General has paved way for his promotion to the top army post of Chief of Army Staff.

Sources at the Ministry of Defense reveal that the Council of Ministers on April 26 had decided to promote Sharma to the post of Lieutenant General of Nepal Army.

There are two posts of lieutenant general in Nepal Army. Gurav Tandul second-in-rank after the incumbent Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa has retired from the post due to age limit.

Another Lieutenant General Sharad Giri is also retiring for the same reason on June 20.

In Giri’s place, Major General Ishwar Hamal or Rajendra Karki will be upgraded to the post of Lt. General.

Lt. General Giri’s retirement will make Sharma the second man in Nepal Army.