Lt-Gen Raju assumes charge of 15 Corps

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 29

Lt-Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, Chinar Corps commander, handed over charge of the strategic Kashmir-based 15 Corps to Lt-Gen BS Raju on Saturday.

During his tenure, which lasted for more than a year, Lt-General Dhillon witnessed a large number of landmark events such as abrogation of Article 370 and the Pulwama IED blast.

Lt-General Dhillon, who has vast professional experience in counter-terrorist operations, can be credited for conceptualising, initiating and re-establishing the much-needed Army-civil synergy with renewed vigor and pragmatism, an Army statement said.

“His constant focus on operational preparedness and developmental initiative saw the unravelling of the Jaish-e-Mohammad network and elimination of the perpetrators of the Pulwama incident in less than 100 hours of the attack along with neutralisation of a number of terrorist leaders. Swift and robust punitive response to the ceasefire violations and targeting of terror launch pads across the Line of Control. He contributed significantly to maintaining peace in the Valley, especially post August 5, 2019,” the Army statement said.

Engagement with the ‘awaam’, especially the youth, remained a key focus area for Lt-General Dhillon. The well-being of the ‘awaam’ was always close to his heart, it said.

“The Lt-General’s outreach to engage the mothers via ‘Operation MAA’ resulted in the ‘return’ of many youth to their families after abandoning terrorism,” the statement said.

In his farewell message, Lt-General Dhillon complimented all ranks of the Chinar Corps for their dedication and thanked the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces, civil administration and the awaam for their support.