NEW DELHI: India on Thursday named Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor, aveteran of the 1971 war with Pakistan and who commanded the army's largest and most sensitive northern command for the last two years as the next Chief of Army Staff.

Lt Gen Kapoor also commanded the RAM, a re-organised infantry cum armour division, during Operation Parakram, the tense standoff with Pakistan in 2001-02.

Press Trust of India said Gen Kapoor headed key divisions deployed on the border with Pakistan and has commanded troops engaged in anti-insurgency operations.

He commanded a brigade on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in 1998. He will be the senior-most general in the army when Gen J.J. Singh retires at the end of September.

The army under Gen Singh is widely believed to have rejected deals the two countries have been discussing to withdraw their troops from Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir.