Lt Gen Pratik Sharma assumes charge as GOC-in-C Northern Command

Jammu, May 1: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma Thursday assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command.

He succeeded Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar who relinquished the Command of Indian Army’s Northern Command on April 30, 2025, after completing an illustrious career of four decades in the Indian Army.

On assuming the command, the GOC-in-C Lt Gen Pratik Sharma conveyed his greetings to all ranks and expressed his commitment to take forward the excellent work by his predecessors and all ranks of Northern Command.

A highly decorated officer, Lieutenant General Sharma is an alumnus of NDA, Khadakwasla, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

He was commissioned into the Madras Regiment in December 1987. He is qualified on Higher Command Course and has also attended a course at National Defence College, New Delhi.

“The General Officer has a rich operational experience. He commanded an Infantry Battalion, Brigade and Division along the Line of Control and has Commanded a Strike Corps in the Western Sector. The General Officer has a varied exposure in staff and instructional appointments including being a staff officer in the UN Mission,” an Army spokesperson said.

Lt Gen Pratik Sharma has held important appointments at Military Operations Directorate and Military Secretary Branch in the Army Headquarters. He was also the Director General of Military Operations and Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), prior to taking over as GOC-in-C, Northern Command.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar, in a solemn ceremony on his departure as the GOC-in-C, paid homage to the brave-hearts for their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

In his farewell address, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar complimented all ranks for their selfless service and exhorted them to continue their good work in the finest traditions of the Indian Army.

The Indian Army wished him and his family “very best in their future endeavours.”

An alumnus of Sainik School, Bijapur and NDA, Khadakwasla, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar was commissioned into 1 Assam Regiment on June 8, 1985. He had a rich and versatile experience of conventional and counter terrorism and insurgency operations in Northern and Eastern Command theatres of the country.

His command appointments were all in J&K that includes command of a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion; an Infantry Brigade; a Division and a Corps.

He assumed the appointment of GOC-in-C, Northern Command on February 19, 2024.

During his command, he provided strategic guidance and operational oversight for planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern and western borders, besides orchestrating the dynamic counter-terrorism operations in J&K.

Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar ensured a balanced operational situation on the borders and hinterland. Under his leadership, training was evolved to align with the changing operational dynamics, preparing personnel for both current and futuristic challenges.

Under his command, efforts were also made to galvanise resources as per veterans’ engagement programmes to assist veterans, ‘Veer-Matas’ and ‘Veer Naris’ within Northern Command areas, Indian Army, in its official statement, said.

Other key areas of focus under his leadership were facilitating upliftment of the youth, women empowerment and development of the local communities to include ‘Gujjars’ and ‘Bakerwals’ through ‘Operation Sadbhavna.’ Multiple infrastructure projects were undertaken for upliftment of the local communities.

The day Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar attained superannuation and relinquished the command of the Northern Command, PIB FactCheck cautioned against fake posts peddled by “pro Pakistan social media accounts” claiming that he (Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar) had been removed from his post after the Pahalgam incident.

“Several pro-Pakistan social media accounts falsely claim that Northern Commander Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar has been removed from his post after the Pahalgam incident. The claims being made in these posts are fake,” PIB FactCheck posted on ‘X’, with a collage of fake posts.

“Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar is attaining superannuation on April 30. Lt Gen Pratik Sharma will be appointed as the new Northern Army Commander,” PIB FactCheck handle had posted.