Batoo Tshering

Batoo Tshering is the current Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army (COO). He succeeded the outgoing chief, Lam Dorji on 1 November 2005.

Family Tshering is married to Aum Pema Choden, who is a graduate of Paro College of Education and they have two daughters, Dechen Yangden & Rinchen Pelden, both of whom are employed with the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Military career Tshering underwent training at Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the Royal Bhutan Army in November 1971. Thereafter, he was attached with the 8th Battalion the BIHAR Regiment of the Indian Army and underwent Young Officers Course, Commando Course, Intelligence Staff Officers’ Course, Junior Command Course, Senior Command Course in various schools of instruction in India. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Defense Services Staff College, Wellington, Tamil Nadu. He took over as the Deputy Chief Operations Officer with effect from 21 February 2005 and was appointed as the Chief Operations Officer by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck on 1 November 2005. In addition to his responsibilities as the Chief Operations Officer, he is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Army Welfare Project.

While on active duty Tshering survived an ambush from armed insurgents near Nganglam on Oct 31, 1998, during which his car was riddled with bullet shots and he was injured. He was also awarded the Drakpoi Rinchen Tsugtor (DRT) medal by His Majesty the King on 21 February 2013.