ISLAMABAD, July 4 Maj-Gen Ashfaq Nadeem has been appointed GOC (General Officer Commanding) Swat where the ongoing military operation against militants is said to have entered the final phase.

Military sources told Dawn that Gen Nadeem, who was serving at Mangla, would assume his duties as GOC Swat on August 14. He will replace Maj-Gen Ijaz Awan, who will be getting a new assignment.

They said that Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had approved the new appointment, adding that the replacement was part of routine transfers.

They said that Gen Awan had completed his tenure of three years as GOC.

The change is part of a major reshuffle in which 16 two-star generals have been transferred.

The sources said that transfer orders for another four major-generals would be issued next week.

They said that a recent promotion board meeting presided over the army chief had promoted 25 brigadiers to the rank of major-general, who are waiting for postings.