Lt Gen Pratik Sharma assumes charge of Northern Command

Amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan along the northern borders, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, a decorated officer with extensive operational experience, assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Army’s Northern Command on Thursday, officials said.

The Northern Command oversees the borders with Pakistan and China in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. It has been actively formulating strategies to counter Pakistani terrorists who have infiltrated deep into the forested areas of the Jammu region. Since the Pahalgam attack on April 22, the Command has been closely monitoring Pakistan’s manoeuvres along the Line of Control (LoC).

Lt Gen Sharma is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He was commissioned into the Madras Regiment in December 1987. He is qualified in the Higher Command Course and has also attended the National Defence College, New Delhi. The General Officer brings with him a wealth of operational experience.

He has commanded an Infantry Battalion, a Brigade, and a Division along the Line of Control, and also led a Strike Corps in the Western Sector. “He has held a range of staff and instructional appointments, including serving as a staff officer in a UN mission,” an official stated.

He has served in key positions at the Military Operations Directorate and the Military Secretary Branch at Army Headquarters. Before taking over as GOC-in-C, Northern Command, he served as the Director General of Military Operations and Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy).

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar relinquished command of the Northern Command on April 30. He had taken over on February 19, 2024. In a solemn departure ceremony, the outgoing GOC-in-C paid homage to the bravehearts who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“During his tenure, he provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for sustained operations along the northern and western borders, and also orchestrated dynamic counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir,” an official said.

Districts such as Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, and others have been rocked by encounters and ambushes on security forces since 2023, resulting in the loss of many soldiers.