Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, a seasoned and highly experienced officer with deep expertise in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, is set to assume command as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the strategically important 15 Corps, also known as the Chinar Corps, on May 1.
Headquartered in Srinagar, the 15 Corps plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Line of Control (LoC) and maintaining internal security across the Kashmir Valley. His appointment comes at a significant time as the Union Territory continues its efforts to sustain stability following a series of successful counter-terror operations in recent years.
Prior to this elevation, Lt Gen Balbir Singh was serving as the Major General General Staff (MGGS) at the Northern Command Udhampur With his promotion, he has now been entrusted with leading one of the Army’s most critical formations.
An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Lt Gen Balbir Singh brings with him vast operational experience in Kashmir, particularly in anti-terror operations. Early in his career, he held an important position at the 8 Sector headquarters in Lolab, Kupwara, where he was actively involved in planning and supervising operations. He later commanded the 1 Sector Rashtriya Rifles during 2018–2019, playing a key role in managing counter-insurgency operations on the ground.
In 2023, as a Major General, he took over as the General Officer Commanding of Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Victor, based in Awantipora, which oversees operations in South Kashmir. During his tenure, he demonstrated strong leadership and worked closely with formations such as the Chinar Corps and Northern Command on several coordinated operations and security reviews.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, who previously served as GOC 15 Corps, has been appointed as the Quarter Master General (QMG) at Army Headquarters in New Delhi. His tenure in Kashmir was marked by effective security operations, including Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev.
Operation Mahadev, conducted jointly by the Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and CRPF, led to the elimination of three terrorists linked to the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists.
Lt Gen Srivastava’s tenure was also noted for strengthening coordination among security forces and promoting engagement with civil society to support long-term peace and stability in the region.
