Duty on as new  army chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq 

Newly appointed Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq today took over charge of the force.

Lt Gen Belal replaced Gen Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, who handed over the charge to him through a simple ceremony at army headquarters today, said an ISPR official present there told The Daily Star.

The chiefs of air and naval staff will adorn Lt Gen Belal with the rank badge of general at Gono Bhaban later in the day, the official added.

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.

Earlier, 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.