Nagrota Corps / XVI Corps
In early 2005 Gen JJ Singh, Chief of the Army Staff, immediately after taking over his new appointment visited Nagrota Corps, the largest corps of the Indian Army. The Army Chief was received by Lt Gen Sudhir Sharma, GOC, Nagrota Corps and other senior commanders of the corps. The General met Governor of J&K, Lt Gen SK Sinha (Retd) and Chief Minister, Mr Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
During his visit, the Chief of the Army Staff addressed all ranks at Trikuta Officers Institute and expressed his broad vision for the Indian Army operating in counter-insurgency areas. He stressed the importance of Army bearing a “humane face” while dealing firmly with the terrorists. He emphasised that no harm should be caused to the local public even at the cost of missing out a terrorist. He recalled his association with the residents of Baramulla when he was Commander 79 infantry Brigade. This association continued when they came and met him at Srinagar to congratulate him on taking over as Army Chief. He asked the troops to establish such lasting friendship with the people of Kashmir.Mrs Anupama Singh, President, AWWA took part in a special ladies meet where a brief profile of AWWA activities in 16 Corps Zone was discussed. Later, Mrs Anupama Singh interacted with children from remote areas going on an educational tour to Chandigarh and Shimla under operation Sadbhavana. Before departure, the Army Chief addressed the mediapersons at Jammu airport and said, “I will be ruthless towards those who pick up arms agains the State. But we will deal with the local people with empathy and care.” 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.
