Who Is Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Who Will Head Army's Northern Command Amid Growing Tensions With Pak

Amid the escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pagalgam terror attack, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma will be given the responsibility of the Indian Army's Northern Command. Lieutenant General Sharma is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff. Previously, he has served as the DGMO at Army Headquarters and as the Commander of the Ambala-based Kharga (Strike) Corps. He will assume charge in Udhampur on 1 May.  

Recently, when the Army Chief visited Srinagar, Lt. Gen. Sharma also accompanied him for a security review as he will soon assume responsibility. 

The Northern Command headquarters is located in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur and is directly responsible for the security of the LOC and the union territory. Lt. Gen. Sharma will replace the current Commanding-in-Chief, Lt. Gen. M V Suchindra Kumar, who is about to retire.

Simultaneously, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit of the Air Force in South Block is going to become the Chief of Integrated Staff Committee (Deputy CDS). He will serve directly under CDS General Anil Chauhan.

Pakistani Army Violates Ceasefire

These changes have taken place at a time when the Pakistani Army is continuously violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control bordering Jammu and Kashmir. On the night of 28-29 April, the Pakistani Army carried out unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control in Kupwara and Baramula districts, as well as in the Akhnoor sector. The Indian Army responded to the provocation. 

Earlier, on the night of 27-28 April, the Pakistan Army had also carried out firing in the border areas of Kupwara and Poonch the previous day. Firing has been taking place from Pakistani military posts since Friday, following the terror attack in Pahalgam.

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