General Ashish Bhardwaj Takes Command of 91 Sub Area, Jalandhar
Major General Ashish Bhardwaj has assumed the role of General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 91 Sub Area in Jalandhar, signifying a significant leadership transition in one of the Indian Army's crucial administrative sectors. With over three decades of military service, General Bhardwaj brings a wealth of experience from the Eastern, Western, and Northern theatres, including expertise in counter-insurgency operations.
A former student of Sainik School Lucknow and the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Artillery Regiment in 1993. His leadership is anticipated to guide the 91 Sub Area towards greater operational efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and comprehensive welfare initiatives for military personnel and veterans.
Spanning 11 districts in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the 91 Sub Area provides support to nearly 500,000 ex-servicemen and their families. General Bhardwaj has highlighted the importance of enhancing logistical support and advancing development in cantonments, especially in isolated areas where an infrastructure shortfall of 15% was noted by a RAND Corporation report.
Aligned with the Army’s modernization initiatives, he is also prioritizing the upgrade of veterans’ support services and the strengthening of civil-military collaboration. His strategy of communicating in multiple languages—Hindi, Punjabi, and English—is expected to enhance local engagement, in line with findings from a Journal of Defense Studies report on community integration.
The appointment has been warmly received by military officials and local stakeholders, who are optimistic that General Bhardwaj’s leadership will strengthen the sub area's role in national defense readiness and veteran welfare.
