Published On : Thu, Sep 1st, 2016

Lt. General PM Hariz takes over as Army Commander of Southern Command

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Lt. General PM Hariz
Nagpur:
Lieutenant General PM Hariz, AVSM, SM, VSM took over as General Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Command on 01 Sep 2016 from Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat who has proceeded to Delhi to assume duties of VCOAS. On assuming command of the largest geographical formation of the Indian Army, the General laid a wreath at the National War Memorial Pune and paid homage to the martyrs. Thereafter the General was given a Guard of Honour. The current assignment of the General Officer is a testimony of his continued dedication to service, which began on his commissioning in June 1978. Prior to the current appointment, he was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Army Training Command at Shimla.

Lieutenant General PM Hariz hails from Kozhikode in Kerala, and did his schooling from Sainik School, Amravatinagar (Tamil Nadu). The thoroughbred soldier is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune. On completion of basic military training from Indian Military Academy at Dehradun in 1978, he was commissioned into 12 Mechanised Infantry Battalion and later commanded 19 Mechanised Infantry Battalion (Recce and Support) (Tracked). He has attended all mandatory Army courses, the prestigious Staff Course at Camberly (UK), Higher Command Course at Mhow and National Defence College at Delhi. The officer has vast experience of serving on prestigious staff and command appointments. He has the unique distinction of holding various UN appointments, which include a combined tenure as Military Observer, Chief Personnel Officer and Regional Commander in Angola.

Lt. General PM Hariz  (2)
The officer was instructor at Infantry School, Mhow and also at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has commanded a Battalion, Brigade, Division and Corps in the Western Sector. The General Officer has also commanded an operational Sub Area and has been on staff appointments at various levels a t the Integrated Headquarters (Army) at Delhi. He is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Lt. General PM Hariz
His wife, Zarina Hariz, is actively involved in empowerment of women with special emphasis on education and health care. His son has carried forward his legacy and is a commissioned officer in a mechanised infantry battalion. His daughter is a special educator. Both are married.