Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: An incident involving a high-ranking Nepal Army (NA) officer has raised concerns within the diplomatic community.
During a banquet held after an international symposium on technology cooperation in peacekeeping operations at a five-star hotel in Kathmandu last month, Major General Taradhwoj Pandey behaved indecently and used derogatory language towards a military attaché, multiple sources who attended the banquet told Himal Press. Foreign diplomats were shocked by Major General Pandey’s conduct.
According to a participant at the banquet, Major General Pandey exhibited inappropriate behavior toward the military attaché at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and other diplomats. This behavior by an inebriated army official has been taken seriously by the diplomatic community. A member of the diplomatic community, speaking to Himal Press, confirmed that Major General Pandey, the head of the Department of Military Operations of the Nepal Army, indeed used derogatory language at the banquet. The member stated that the words used by Major General Pandey were too offensive to express or write down.
Past instances have seen Nepal Army officers, who behaved in an undignified manner, face disciplinary actions. The Nepal Army is a disciplined and dignified institution operating under the chain of command. It remains unclear whether any action has been taken against Major General Pandey. A senior army officer stated that an internal investigation into the matter is underway.
A member of the diplomatic community said the disciplinary body should not remain silent if an individual heading a department of the army exhibits such unrestrained behavior.
Sources, who attended the banquet, told Himal Press that Brigadier General Santosh Ballabh Paudyal, the assistant in charge of peacekeeping forces under the Department of Military Operations, introduced Major General Pandey as the future army chief, after Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma left the event. It was after the atmosphere turned informal that Major General Pandey used derogatory language.
This is not the first time Major General Pandey has been embroiled in controversies. He has received several warnings from higher authorities for harassing others and using offensive language.
Another member of the diplomatic community, present at the banquet, questioned the need to introduce someone as the future Chief of Army Staff during a program attended by diplomats. “What message would it convey to the diplomatic community?” he questioned.
The UN Secretariat’s Department of Operational Support, and Information and Communication Technology Office organized a four-day conference on the use of technology in peacekeeping operations in the last week of May. The aim of the program, according to the Nepali Army, was to explore the potential of digital technology and utilize the latest advancements in peacekeeping. A banquet was held in honor of the local and foreign guests who participated in the symposium organized under the coordination of Brigadier General Paudyal, a former army spokesperson.
A foreign diplomat who attended the program found it challenging to handle the situation when Major General Pandey, under the influence of alcohol, spoke casually, seemingly forgetting his diplomatic immunity.
Nepali Army Spokesperson Krishna Prasad Bhandari stated that he was unaware of Major General Pandey’s behavior at the event. “I am studying what happened that evening, and will get back to you,” he added.
The seventh edition of the symposium took place from May 30 to June 1. The conference involved sharing experiences about technology, challenges, and best practices in peacekeeping missions in line with the rapid development of information technology and changing security situations worldwide. Senior officials from the Ministries of Defense, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Communications and Information Technology participated in the seminar. The event hosted over 200 participants, including UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
Previously hosted in Italy and South Africa, this symposium has not yet been organized in India. A senior army officer who took part in the program noted that while other aspects of the event in Nepal went well, tensions arose towards the end.
The incident has reportedly been brought to the attention of the Secretariat of the Chief of Army Staff.
