Udhampur (J&K):-In a prestigious display of military tradition and operational pride, the Northern Command Investiture Ceremony 2026 was held today at Udhampur under the aegis of Headquarters Northern Command.
The event was presided over by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, who honored the exceptional bravery and professional excellence of personnel and units.
Highlighting the command’s unique “Always in Combat” ethos, the Army Commander emphasized that Northern Command remains the most operationally active wing of the Indian Army, maintaining a steadfast resolve to neutralize both traditional and emerging new-age threats across multiple domains.
During the ceremony, a total of 93 awards were conferred, including 52 individual honors and 41 unit citations, marking a significant recognition of courage and unwavering commitment to duty. The individual accolades featured four Yudh Seva Medals, one Bar to Sena Medal, 37 Sena Medals, and eight Vishisht Seva Medals, along with a posthumous Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Addressing an audience of military officers, awardees, and their families, Lieutenant General Sharma commended the awardees for their professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty under challenging and demanding conditions. He emphasised on importance of maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence and upholding the proud traditions and ethos of the Indian Army. The Army Commander also congratulated the family members of the award winners.
The ceremony reaffirmed the Indian Army’s core values of valour, dedication and selfless service to the Nation and served as a reminder of the exemplary contributions made by its personnel and units in safeguarding National security. Being the most operationally active command of the Indian Army, with its ethos ‘Always in Combat’, Northern Command resolutely deals with conventional as well as new-age threats across multiple domains.
