Lt. Gen. P.M. Hariz on Thursday assumed office of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indfian Army's Southern Command at the command headquarters here.He took charge from Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat, who has moved to the Army Headquarters as Vice-Chief of the Army Staff.On assuming command of the largest geographical formation of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. Hariz laid a wreath at the National War Memorial here and paid homage to the martyred soldiers.Immediately prior to his current appointment, he was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command in Shimla.Hailing from Kozhikode in Kerala, Lt. Gen. Hariz completed his schooling from Sainik School in Amravatinagar, Tamil Nadu, and later the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla.On completion of his basic military training from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in 1978, he was commissioned into the 12 Mechanised Infantry Batallion and later he commanded the 19 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.Later, he attended all the mandatory army courses, the prestigious Staff Course at Camberly, United Kingdom, Higher Command Course at Mhow, and the National Defence College, New Delhi.
Lt. Gen. Hariz has a vast experience of serving on prestigious staff and command appointments.He also has the unique distinction of holding various United Nations appointments, including a combined tenure as Military Observer, Chief Personnel officer and Regional Commander in Angola.Lt. Gen. Hariz served as instructor at Infantry School, Mhow, and at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, besides commanding a Battalion, a Brigade, a Division and a Corps in the Western Sector.He also commanded an operational sub-area and has been on staff appointments at various levels at the Integrated Headquarters (Army) in New Delhi.Shortly after the takeover, the officer, decorated with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, was accorded a Guard of Honour.Lt. Gen. Hariz is married to Zarina who is actively involved in empowerment of women with special emphasis on education and healthcare.Of their two married children, the Harizes' son is a commissioned officer in a mechanised infantry battalion of the Indian Army and his daughter is a special educator.