9 Corps / Rising Star
For an effective operational preparedness in the western sector, in mid-2005 Indian Army raised a new corps at Yol Cantt in Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The new corps, christened 9 Corps, comprises 26 and 29 Infantry Divisions, which had previously been allocated to XVI Corps / Nagrota Corps, and a number of brigades.
At a spectacular ceremony held amidst serene environs, with the snow-clad dhauladhars in the backdrop, Lt Gen AS Jamwal, GOC, 9 Corps inaugurated the new formation. This was followed by the unfurling of the corps flag by the corps commander. A large number of serving officers and ex-servicemen from Army and local residents were present on the occasion.
While interacting with the troops on the occasion, Lt Gen Jamwal asked the troops to strive hard to realise the goals set for the corps. The troops were fully charged with a glow on their face and an innate desire to accomplish their tasks with zeal and enthusiasm. While talking to the media, the corps commander apprised them of the responsibilities and the dynamic role that this formation is set to play as a part of western command.
The new corps, in its area of responsibility (AOR), encompasses parts of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Speaking to the local residents, the GOC assured them that while carrying out the operational tasks, the corps would implement development projects for their benefit.
The local residents who attended the inaugural ceremony in large number were extremely thrilled with the presence of Army troops in this small hill town. Known for providing a friendly ambience at Yol, the locals are not only looking ahead towards their own economic prosperity of the region due to arrival of a large number of troops, but are also assuring the Army of full cooperation.
The newly established 9 Corps celebrated Kargil Diwas at the recently renovated War Memorial near Dharamshala Cantonment, in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. “The martyrdom of soldiers works as a beacon for the generations to come and motivates them to live a life full of dexterity, valour, sacrifice and dedication”, said Lt Gen Anup Singh Jamwal, GOC, 9 Corps while speaking on the ocassion.
The ceremony commenced with laying of wreaths at the war memorial by the GOC and other dignitaries. Officials of the civil administration assured to release substantial funds for the upkeep of the war memorial. Lt Gen Jamwal planted a sapling in the honour of war heroes. In his formal introductory address, the Chairman of the Martyrs Memorial Society of Dharamshala, Lt Col MR Sharma (Retd) highlighted the relevance of the sacrifice by the sons of Himachal.
Lt Gen Jamwal spoke on the welfare initiatives being taken by the government for the welfare of ex-servicemen and exhorted them to come forward in large numbers to become members of the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). Applauding the spirit of the youth of the state, he reiterated that Himachal a land of the warriors, has been producing a number of Param Vir Chakra awardees. In his interaction with the ex servicemen who came from as far as Nagrota, Nurpur, Palampur, Kangra and Shahpur Yol, he assured them that the new corps would act as a catalyst towards development in the region. The GOC also announced setting up of a placement cell at the Station Headquarters, Yol Cantt.
On the ocassion, mementoes were presented to the next of kin of the martyrs. It was a touching moment to see the parents of (late) Capt Vikram Batra walk up with pride to the dias to receive the memento. Nine Corps, Indian Army’s youngest corps, formally became operational on 01 September 2005 in Himachal Pradesh. Based at Yol Cantt near Dharamsala, the Rising Star formation, as it is informally named, is headed by Lt Gen Anup Singh Jamwal who has successfully commanded 4 Corps in the North East prior to this assignment. Having been raised within a short span of four months, HQ 9 Corps is responsible for larger areas. Speaking on the occasion of the assumption of the command, Lt Gen Jamwal complimented his officers and men for having completed raising in a professional manner, thus, realising the aspirations of the nation and Indian Army. He outlined the ethos of the corps as to resolve all issues with a ‘heart and head’ approach, synergise all the resources for optimal efficiency, a high degree of competence in conventional and counter-terrorist operations and reaching out to youth and ex-servicemen. The brief ceremony, held at Yol Cantt, was attended by all Formation Commanders and Staff Officers of Headquarters 9 Corps. It began with unfurling of the 9 point Rising Star flag amidst chanting of hymns. Release of the Special Order of the Day of the corps and inauguration of the Other Ranks Institute and the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Vocational Training Complex by Mrs Kanta Jamwal, President, AWWA 9 Corps also marked the occasion.
