Indian Army Northern Command Chief Ousted Over Pahalgam Attack? PIB Fact-Checks Pro-Pakistani Handles

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:April 30, 2025, 11:59 IST

PIB’s fact-check unit rejected claims surrounding the departure of Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar as head of the Northern Command circulating on social media, labelling them as fake.

Amid a wave of misinformation following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India fact-checked rumours surrounding the departure of Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar as head of the Northern Command. Issuing a clarification, Press Information Bureau (PIB) debunked rumours spreading via social media accounts, particularly pro-Pakistan handles, had falsely claimed that Lt Gen Kumar was removed from his position due to alleged internal fallout after the attack.

PIB’s fact-check unit categorically rejected the claims circulating on social media, labelling them as fake.

In a post on X, the social handle of PIB fact-check stated that Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar is retiring on April 30 upon reaching superannuation, a standard practice within the Indian Army’s service regulations.

It further informed that Lt. General Pratik Sharma will be appointed as the new Northern Army Commander.

“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 post read.

The PIB also confirmed that Lt. General Pratik Sharma, currently the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), will be appointed as the new Northern Army Commander. It had also refuted claims of an abrupt change linked to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

Recently, several pro-Pakistani handles on social media were spreading misinformation stating that Lt. Gen Suchindra Kumar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Northern Command, has been sacked over the failure of security in Pahalgam region.