The government on Tuesday promoted Chhetri to lieutenant general, opening the door for him to become the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) in six months.

The Cabinet elevated him to the post that had remained vacant after Pawan Bahadur Pandey retired due to his age on February 2.

Chhetri, now the third in command, will climb up the ranks after Chief of Staff Lt Gen Pradeep Bikram Rana retires on June 8.

He will become the Army chief after the incumbent Gen Rana retires on September 10.

Chhetri, who joined the Army as a lieutenant on October 24, 1978, was promoted to major general in November 2011. Born on November 16, 1960, he is a 15th batch cadet.

Chhetri is likely to be the chief of general staff (CoGS) who looks after intelligence and operations in the national army. Among the two lieutenant generals, there is a tradition in the NA to assign the would-be CoAS the role of the CoGS while the other is made the chief of staff. CoAS Rana two weeks ago appointed Rana as the chief of staff.

According to Army sources, traditionally the CoAS takes leave a month prior to his retirement. Chhetri will thus become the CoAS unofficially on August 9.

Chhetri, who completed war-college from the United States, will have two years of full tenure as the Army chief. He is considered a competent and fair official in the NA.

Meanwhile, the government promoted Yogendra Bahadur Khand to major general under technical category while Kaman Singh Pradhan has become brigadier general. The post of major general had been vacant after the retirement of Naresh Basnyat a few months ago.