Leh: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, undertook a three-day visit to Ladakh where he reviewed the operational preparedness of the forces deployed along the sensitive frontier and interacted with troops in forward areas, the Army said.
According to Northern Command, the visit began on September 27 with the commander flying to Leh, from where he proceeded to high-altitude formations in Eastern Ladakh, the Siachen Brigade, and the Karakoram Pass sector.
The Army said Lt Gen Sharma expressed satisfaction over the high morale of the troops operating under extreme conditions. “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited Siachen Brigade, units deployed in Eastern Ladakh, and the Karakoram Pass to review operational preparedness, praising the high morale and steadfast commitment of all ranks,” Northern Command said in a statement on X.
During his interaction with soldiers, the Army commander lauded their resilience and commitment in defending the nation’s borders under inhospitable conditions where temperatures often plunge below minus 40 degrees Celsius. Army officials said the visit was aimed at first-hand assessment of ground conditions and review of ongoing operational readiness measures.
At the Siachen Base Camp, Lt Gen Sharma interacted with the winners of the National Flag Quiz, congratulating them for their national spirit and dedication. He also flagged off a mountaineering expedition attempting a peak above 7,000 metres, describing their effort as a benchmark in courage and adventure. “He commended the indomitable spirit of the expedition team, noting that such ventures inspire both troops and civilians alike,” an Army spokesperson said.
On the political front, Lt Gen Sharma also met Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta during which the two discussed the prevailing security scenario. Sources said the meeting assumed significance against the backdrop of violence-hit Leh, where tensions recently flared over local demands.
A Raj Bhavan spokesperson confirmed that the discussions covered emerging challenges in the region, the requirement of closer civil-military coordination, and the necessity of maintaining peace and stability. The two sides stressed the importance of preparedness and synergy in tackling contingencies that could arise in Ladakh’s sensitive environment. [KNT]
