Srinagar, May 01: Lieutenant General Balbir Singh on Friday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the strategically important XV Corps (Chinar Corps), strengthening leadership at a time when security dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir continue to remain under close monitoring.
Headquartered in Srinagar, the Chinar Corps is responsible for safeguarding the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and overseeing internal security operations across the Valley. His appointment comes amid ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the Union Territory.
Lt Gen Singh is an experienced officer with extensive operational exposure in Jammu and Kashmir, having served in multiple key roles related to counter-insurgency (CI) and counter-terrorism (CT) operations. Before this elevation, he was posted as Major General General Staff (MGGS) at the Northern Command.
An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, he developed early operational experience in Kashmir. He previously served at the 8 Sector headquarters in Lolab, Kupwara, where he was involved in operational planning and coordination. He also commanded the 1 Sector of the Rashtriya Rifles during 2018–2019, playing a significant role in counter-insurgency operations.
In 2023, as a Major General, he took over command of the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Victor based in Awantipora, succeeding Maj Gen Prashant Srivastava. The Victor Force is responsible for security operations in south Kashmir, an area that has witnessed sustained militant activity.
During his tenure, Lt Gen Singh worked in close coordination with formations under the Chinar Corps and Northern Command, contributing to joint operational planning, strategic assessments, and security management across the region. (Agency)
