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

As per the official communique, a highly decorated officer, Lieutenant General Pratik 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 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 UN Mission. He 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.

On assuming the command, the GOC-in-C 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.

UNI VBH SJC