Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar assumed command of the Indian Army’s elite Spear Corps on Saturday, inheriting a significant challenge in the form of the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur which has claimed more than 200 lives in the past year. Lt General Pendharkar succeeds Lieutenant General Harjeet Singh Sahi, who moves to the Army War College in Mhow as its commandant.

Commissioned into the Assam Regiment in 1990, Pendharkar has held a variety of command and staff positions through an illustrious career over 34 years, serving in all types of terrain and operational environment. His experience includes counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and commanding formations along the Line of Control. Prior to taking over as the head of the Spear Corps, Pendharkar served as the Director General of the Territorial Army. He is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, and multiple commendation awards.