Pattiarimal Mohamadali Hariz

Lieutenant General Pattiarimal Mohamadali Hariz, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC is the former General Officer Commander-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command of the Indian Army and served in office from 1 September 2016 to 30 November 2017. He assumed the post from General Bipin Rawat and was succeeded by Dewan Rabindranath Soni.

Early life and education
Hariz was born in Kozikode, Kerala and is the son of Pattiarimmal and Fathima Mohamadali. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Amaravathinagar and National Defence Academy, Pune. He also attended the staff course at Staff College Camberly; higher command course at Army War College, Mhow and National Defence College, New Delhi.

Career
Hariz was commissioned into 16 Mahar Regiment, a mechanized infantry battalion, on June 10 1978. He has vast experience and has served in numerous positions. He has commanded the 9 Mechanised Infantry battalion, a brigade with an amphibious role, a RAPID division in a Strike Corps and X Corps (Bhatinda). He has also held numerous staff appointments including Brigade Major of an armoured brigade, Assistant Military Secretary at the Military Secretary’s branch, a Staff Officer in Weapons and Equipment Directorate at IHQ, New Delhi; instructor at Infantry School, Mhow; instructor at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Additional Directorate General of Mechanised Forces and GOC-in-C of the Army Training Command. He held various appointments including Military observer, Chief Personal Office and Regional Commander at the UN Mission in Angola.

During his career he has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2007, Sena Medal in 2009, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016 for his service.

Personal life
He is married to Zarina Hariz and they have a son who is also a commissioned officer in the mechanised infantry and a daughter who is a teacher. His brother, Ariz Mohamadali, is a retired commander of the Indian Navy.