President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday conferred the insignia of the Chief of Army Staff on Ashok Raj Sigdel, the newly appointed Chief of the Nepal Army.

In a special ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas, President Paudel also administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.

As per the constitution, the President is the supreme commander of the Nepal Army.

Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Defence Minister Manbir Rai, and other high-ranking government officials and chiefs of other security forces attended the ceremony.

On August 28, President Paudel appointed Sigdel to the position, effective September 9. The outgoing Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma had been on a month-long leave since August 8 as per the mandatory retirement. Following the tradition of the Nepal Army, Sharma will hand over responsibilities to Sigdel later today. Sigdel will serve as Chief of Army Staff for three years.