Kathmandu [Nepal], August 9 (ANI): Purna Chandra Thapa has taken charge as the acting Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of Nepal Army.

This comes after the incumbent Chief of Army Staff of Nepal Army General Rajendra Chhetri went on a formal leave for one month before retirement.

The Cabinet meeting on July 26 referred Thapa to be the future CoAs of Nepal Army, appointing him as acting chief of the Nepal Army.

A special ceremony was held on Thursday in Nepal Army Headquarter in capital Kathmandu when incumbent CoAS Chhetri handed over the responsibility to his successor Thapa.

Thapa will be sworn in as CoAS of Nepal Army next month after Chhetri formally retires.

Nepal's current CoAS Chhetri took the charge from Septermber 10, 2015 and will be retiring on September 9, 2018.

The Chief of Army Staff-designate Purna Chandra Thapa will remain in the post of the country's top security agency for three years.

After being anointed as the Chief of Army Staff Thapa will be visiting India to take oath from the Chief of Indian Army Staff, a tradition followed for long. (ANI)

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