Official sources said Air Marshal Naqvi has sought premature retirement on "personal" grounds while Air Vice Marshal Sehgal had cited "health" reasons for quitting.

"Their resignations are under consideration at the highest level in the Air Force," they said.

However, the sources said that Naqvi had put in his papers since he was likely to be posted as training command chief in Bangalore.

Meanwhile, Air Marshal Patney has been appointed Commanding-in-Chief Central Air Command, an Air Force spokesman said.

Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy, currently chief of South Western Air Command, which had shot down the Pakistan military aircraft Atlantique over Kutch last month,will take over the crucial Western Air Command from Patney.

Air Marshal V K Bhatia, at present chief of Central Air Command will replace Krishnaswamy. All postings will come into effect from November one.

Air Marshal M S Sekhon will take over as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) AT Western Air Command from October one and will be replaced by Air Marshal M Mcmahon as SASO Eastern Air Command.

Air Marshal P S Pingale will take over as SASO, South Western Air Command from Air Marshal T J Master.

Air Marshal Master will replace him as Inspector General Flight Safety at Air Headquarters.