Lt Gen ADS Aujla takes over as GOC 15 Corps

| Updated: 09 May, 2022 6:46 pm IST

Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla (R) and Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey

SRINAGAR: Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla on Monday took over the command of the strategic Chinar Corps from Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey at Corps headquarters here.

Lt Gen Pandey is moving to the Army War College in Mhow as its Commandant.

Lt Gen Aujla belonged to the Rajputana Rifles regiment of the Army and commanded the 15th battalion of the infantry regiment. He has commanded Kupwara based 28 Infantry Division before being posted as MGGS Udhampur based northern command.

The tenure of Lt Gen Pandey has been defined by an improved security environment prevailing at the Line of Control, as well as in the hinterland.

“With the Civil Administration and Security Forces synergizing their efforts to bring normalcy back to Kashmir, (terrorism) is on decline with assessed residual (terrorist ) numbers reduced to an all-time low,” an Army spokesman said here.

“A dynamic deployment along the Line of Control integrated by technical intelligence and robust anti-infiltration grid ensured drastically reduced infiltration. The opportunity afforded by the Ceasefire Violation agreement resulted in renewed attempts to bring succour to the local population residing along the Line of Control,” the spokesman said.

Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey given a ceremonial farewell

“In the hinterland, all elements of Security Forces were synergized to break the cycle of violence. Relentless operations, in tandem with Jammu & Kashmir Police and other CAPFs, based on hard intelligence were carried out to neutralise (terrorists), with minimum collateral damage and zero civilian fatalities,” he added.

The approach, the spokesman said, also included outreach to families, including those of active militants to minimize recruitment and induce surrenders amongst local militants.

“Various programmes were incorporated to stymie the radicalization and incitement being carried out by White Collar (militants) to misguide and force the youth of Kashmir onto the path of violence. The conflict entrepreneurs were targeted, while simultaneously engaging youth through various initiatives, extending myriad platforms to showcase their talent, ranging from sports to cultural arenas,” he said.

“The efforts have borne fruits, with the terrorists’ number dwindling to an all-time low of 150,” he added.