Dear Editor,
If the seniormost Army Commander, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, was to be overlooked, why was he entrusted with the vital Eastern Command? Once an officer rises to the coveted appointment of an Army Commander, there should be no question of superseding him, unless suddenly something is found wrong with his integrity or moral turpitude. No doubt, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is an excellent officer, but too much is being read into his counterinsurgency experience and having served along the LoC. Is there any Infantry officer of the rank of Colonel today who has not handled counterinsurgency or served along the (LoC)? What is special about General Rawat? By making such out-of-turn promotions, favourites are likely to be created.
COL Pritam Bhullar (Retd),
Chandigarh