Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma Wednesday took over as the new commander-in-chief of the Udhampur-based Northern Army Command, officials said.
Lt Gen Pratik is replacing Lt Gen MV Suchendra Kumar after his 15-month tenure in office.
The incumbent Lt General Suchindra Kumar retired today with an illustrious service of more than 30 years.
With an illustrious career spanning across three decades, Lt General Sharma is an infantry officer who has served in varied operational environments. He was a part of key operations such as operations Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak and Parakram.
Lt Gen Sharma has held key appointments, including Director General Military Operations, Military Secretary branch. He was also the Director General of Information Warfare at the newly institutionalised Information Directorate at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi.
Lt Gen Kumar had taken over the command — responsible for security and operations along India’s northern borders, including J&K, parts of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh — from Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, the present army chief, in February last year and his tenure lasted for 15-months.