KATHMANDU: Major General Sitaram Khadka is likely to become a three-star General of Nepal Army.

The possibility is high after Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhuram Sharma decided not to extend the tenure of controversial army Major General Ananta Karki, causing him to go home with the existing two stars. However, Karki is courting political leadership to extend his tenure.

Karki has even lodged a complaint against the CoAS decision at the Ministry of Defense, the copy of which has been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Chief of Army Staff Sharma had quashed the decision of former CoAS Purna Chandra Thapa to extend Major General Karki’s tenure.

Meanwhile, CoAS Sharma recommended Major Generals Sitaram Khadka and Tara Dhwoj Pandey for promotion. Their files sent to Defense Ministry have returned to the Nepal Army Headquarters after approval.

CoAS is the sole authority to determine whether to extend tenure of a Major General in the Nepal Army. In this context, Major General Karki possesses low chances of tenure extension, clearing way for Major General Khadka to be the next three-star General.

Major General Khadka, who has done National Defense Course (NDC) from the United States, is currently the head of Directorate General of Military Training.

The Nepali Army has two positions for Lieutenant General. The two Lieutenant General at present are Bal Krishna Karki and Saroj Pratap Rana.

Lieutenant General Bal Krishna Karki is retiring next September. After his retirement, Khadka will become the three-star general of the Nepal Army on the basis of rank.

Nevertheless, though Khadka become a three-star general, he will not be able to become a General and CoAS. If the current situation remains the same then it is likely that Pandey and Ashok Raj Sigdel woud be the next CoAS after the incumbent CoAS Sharma.