Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retired) to take charge as new CDS on Friday

Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (retired) will assume charge as India's new Chief of Defence Staff on Friday that is expected to bring the focus back on the implementation of the ambitious theaterisation drive to bring synergy among the three services.

A decorated Army officer, 61-year-old Chauhan will also function as Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs.

On Wednesday, the government announced appointing Chauhan as the new Chief of Defence Staff, more than nine months after the post fell vacant following the death of Gen Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash.

Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) is from the 11 Gorkha Rifles, the same regiment of Gen Rawat.

"He will assume charge as the new Chief of Defence Staff on Friday," said an official.

Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Army during the Balakot air strikes in 2019 when Indian airplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan in response to the Pulwama terror strike