Lt Gen Srivastava Takes Charge Of Army’s Chinar Corps, Urges Civil Society To Propel Kashmir Towards Peace

Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava has taken over as GOC of the 15 Corps in Kashmir, replacing Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who is now DGMO at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi

Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava took charge of the strategic 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, in Srinagar on Saturday.

Source : X/@ChinarcorpsIA

Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava assumed command of the strategic 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, in Srinagar on Saturday as Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai stepped down as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) on the same day. Lt Gen Ghai, who has been at the helm of the 15 Corps, has now been appointed as the new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi.

In a post on X, Chinar Corps of the Indian Army stated, "On the momentous occasion of assuming the command, #ChinarCorps Commander Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava conveyed his warm greetings to the citizens of Kashmir. He reaffirmed his commitment towards synergy in thoughts and action with civil administration, society and the #citizens, to promote peace and prosperity in the Kashmir Valley."

"Chinar Corps Commander assured that integrated efforts of the civil society and the security forces is the way forward to dismantle the terror infrastructure and nefarious designs of our adversary. Successful conduct of various key events, improved security parameters and palpable enthusiasm are a testament of the will of the populace towards growth, development and stable security situation in the Valley. He called upon civil society to propel Kashmir towards a future defined by peace, prosperity and development alongwith efforts of the security forces," the post added.

On the momentous occasion of assuming the command, #ChinarCorps Commander Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava conveyed his warm greetings to the citizens of Kashmir. He reaffirmed his commitment towards synergy in thoughts and action with civil administration, society and the #citizens,… pic.twitter.com/tCdyGH8abw

— Chinar Corps🍁 - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) October 5, 2024

The Army Headquarters had cleared Lt Gen Srivastava's appointment as the new 15 Corps Commander in July. The 15 Corps, headquartered in Srinagar, oversees the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and leads anti-terrorism operations in Kashmir.

Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava's Extensive Experience In Counter-Insurgency Operations

Lt Gen Srivastava brings extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations to his new role. He was previously posted as a Major General in the Military Secretary Branch at the Integrated Headquarters of the Army (Ministry of Defence). Before that, he served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Victor Force, a critical counter-insurgency unit in Jammu and Kashmir, until he was relieved by Major General Balbir Singh in June 2023.

Commissioned into the elite Parachute Battalion of the Special Forces on 9 June 1990, Lt Gen Srivastava is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. His academic credentials include an MSc in Strategic Studies and a Master of Philosophy. He has also attended key career courses such as the Defence Services Staff Course in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, the Higher Command Course, and the National Defence College in the USA.

Lt Gen Srivastava has vast operational experience in counter-insurgency operations, having served in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and the North East. He was awarded the prestigious Sena Medal in 2011 while commanding his unit. 

With his new appointment as the GOC of 15 Corps, Lt Gen Srivastava is set to lead the unit in its critical role along the LoC and in anti-terrorism efforts in the Kashmir region.