Gen Belal new chief of Bangladesh Army

Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq has been named the new chief of Bangladesh Army.

He will take the new office from June 25 afternoon, said a gazette notification of the defence ministry yesterday.

He would also be promoted to the rank of general on that day, according to the gazette notification signed by Joint Secretary Md Abu Bakar Siddiq of the defence ministry.

Lt Gen Belal -- who has been working as the principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) under the Prime Ministers' Office (PMO) since January 1, 2013 -- will replace Gen Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan. Gen Karim will retire as the army chief on June 25.

Born in December 1958, Lt Gen Belal was commissioned in Armoured Corps on June 18, 1978 from Bangladesh Military Academy. A "Sword of Honour" recipient for his outstanding performance in the military academy, Belal obtained his bachelor's degree from Dhaka University, master's in Defence Studies from National University and another master's in Philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). Currently, he is doing PhD in Regional Connectivity under the BUP.

In his 39-year career, Belal held different important positions in the army including the ADC to the president. A keen golfer, Belal is married to Shoma Huq and has a daughter and a son.

He is the elder brother of newly elected Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq.

A week ago, the government appointed Air Vice Marshal Abu Esrar as the air force chief. He takes office after incumbent air chief Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari retires today.