Lt Gen Pandey takes over as new commander of 15-Corps

Lt General DP Pandey Wednesday took over the command of strategic Kashmir-based 15 Corps from Lt Gen BS Raju, who has been appointed as the new Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army.

Prior to his appointment as the Chinar Corps Commander, General Pandey served as the First Director General of the Territorial Army. He has served in Kashmir in various capacities that included General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kilo Force, which is responsible for anti-militancy operations in north Kashmir. He has also served as Commander of Charkote Kupwara based 8 Sector which is looking after the anti-militancy operations across Lolab valley.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, General Pandey was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in December 1985 from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

A defence statement said that outgoing commander of the 15 Corps General Raju worked in critical phase in 2020, where Kashmir was confronted with the twin challenges of militancy and Covid-19.

“Lt Gen Raju’s tenure over the last one year is defined by an improved security environment prevailing both on the Line of Control and in Kashmir. With the civil administration and security forces synergising their efforts to bring normalcy back to Kashmir, militancy is on decline with assessed residual militant numbers being the lowest in a decade," the statement said.

On the Line of Control, his approach combined a forward heavy deployment enabled by a dense electronic and surveillance grid. Pakistani cease fire violations were dealt punitive responses resulting in operational ascendancy by the Indian Army, the statement said.

Gen Raju strongly propagated for a second chance to the misguided youth, as he believes this to be critical to achieving lasting peace in J&K. The Army has taken proactive steps to connect with the youth including those who have picked up the weapons against the state.

There has been a collaborative effort alongwith society members, families and other stake holders to encourage and facilitate return of the misguided youth from the path of terrorism. The effort has got an encouraging response, success in terms of surrenders and support from all sections of the society, and will get additional impetus in the coming months.

On Republic Day, General Raju was awarded the prestigious Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), in recognition of this contribution in taking Kashmir on a positive trajectory on the path of lasting peace.

In his farewell message, Gen Raju complimented all ranks of Chinar Corps for their dedication and hard work.