New Delhi: In the changed circumstances in northern borders since the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen YK Joshi has been appointed commander of the strategically crucial Northern Command which takes care of overall security scenario along the border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir as well as with China in Ladakh.

Lt Gen Joshi who has vast experience of anti-terror operations in Kashmir takes charge as General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief on February 1, succeeding Lt Gen Ranbir Singh who retires from service on January 31.

Lt Gen Joshi is currently serving as Chief of Staff of the Northern Command.

In another development, Lt Gen CP Mohanty has been appointed commander of the Southern Command. He succeeds Lt Gen SK Saini who will take charge as new Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on January 25. The post of vice chief fell vacant after Gen MM Naravane was appointed Chief of Army Staff.

Lt Gen Mohanty has operational experience along the borders with Pakistan and China and also in active counter-insurgency operations in Assam.

He led a multinational UN brigade in Congo. At present he is serving as General Officer Commanding of Uttar Bharat area.