Lieutenant General Balbir Singh on Friday assumed command of the Army’s Srinagar-based strategic 15 Corps, succeeding Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava, who demitted office upon completion of his tenure.
Prior to his appointment in Kashmir, Lieutenant General Singh served as Major General General Staff at Northern Command and, following his elevation, was posted as General Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps, also known as the Chinar Corps.
Srinagar based defence spokesman said Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava relinquished the Command and handed over reins of the Chinar Corps after 19 months of exemplary leadership and sage guidance.
Lieutenant General Singh, a highly decorated and battle-hardened officer with over 34 years of illustrious service upon taking over the command of Chinar Corps, paid solemn obeisance at the Chinar War Memorial, Srinagar, honouring the supreme sacrifice of the Nation’s bravehearts.
Possessing extensive operational experience in Counter-Infiltration and Counter-Terrorism operations across Jammu & Kashmir and North East, he brings along a wealth of expertise and strategic acumen. He previously had commanded the Counter Insurgency Force (Victor) in South Kashmir, the spokesman said.
In his inaugural address, Lieutenant General Balbir Singh reaffirmed his resolve to work in close synergy with the civil administration and the ‘Awaam of Kashmir’ to further strengthen the foundation of peace, stability and prosperity in the region. He exhorted all sections of the society to join hands with security forces in overcoming the persistent challenges.
Earlier, the outgoing GOC, Lt Gen Srivastava paid homage at the Chinar War Memorial, honouring the soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Lt Gen Srivastava had taken over as GOC of the 15 Corps on October 2024, succeeding Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
His tenure witnessed several key security operations, notably Operation Sindoor, a precision strike across the Line of Control targeting terror infrastructure, and Operation Mahadev, which led to the killing of three terrorists who were involved in Pahalgam terror attack in April that left 25 tourists and a local resident dead.
“During this period the region witnessed consolidation of security architecture which became responsive and synergised and contributed to peace and stability of the Valley. His eventful and challenging tenure was characterised by meticulous execution of OP SINDOOR & OP MAHADEV, which brought the perpetrators of the dastardly ‘Pahalgam Attack’ to justice, incident-free conduct of the Amarnath Yatra 2025 and multiple initiatives in Nation Building,” the spokesman said.
“ Under his astute stewardship, the Corps also registered notable operational successes in Counter-Infiltration along the Line of Control and in Counter-Terrorism operations in the hinterland, delivering a decisive and debilitating blow to inimical elements. Equally commendable were his sustained outreach initiatives, which fostered trust and goodwill among the local populace, earning him admiration for his humane and affable approach,” the spokesman added.
Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava now proceeds to assume the prestigious appointment of the Quarter Master General at IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi.
