The XIV Corps or The Fire and Fury Corps is a corps of the Indian Army. It is the Army's Udhampur-based part of the Northern Command.[1] The 14th Corps forms a military deployment in the Kargil-Leh area guarding the frontiers with China and Pakistan. It also guards the Siachen Glacier.
The 3rd Division was established in 1962 during the Sino-Indian War, from elements of HQ Nagaland and remained as an Eastern Command reserve, even though it almost always remained on CI duty.[2] After nearly 30 years existence in the East, the division left the area about two decades ago for Ladakh and never returned. While on CI duty, the division was pulled out and sent to fight Pakistani infiltrators in the Matayan-Dras sectors. Afterwards, when HQ XIV Corps was raised, it took over the 3rd and 8th Division.
During the Kargil War it consisted of 56th Mountain Brigade, usually stationed at Matayan, 79th Mountain Brigade, usually stationed at Dras, and 192nd Mountain Brigade.[3]
The Changthang Prahar Exercise, an Integrated Exercise of all Arms in Super High Altitude Area, was conducted in September 2019.[4][5]
During the Sino-Indian Border Dispute, the XIV Corps engaged in discussions with Chinese division commanders regarding the Depsang bulge standoff in eastern Ladakh. Despite multiple diplomatic talks and Corps Commander-level negotiations, Chinese troops obstructed access to critical patrolling points, prompting the Indian Army to prepare for a prolonged presence, including winter stocking of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).[6][7]
The 3rd Infantry Division(Trishul Division) - The division was created in October 1962 in Ladakh. It fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.[8] In 1991, it was part of the XV Corps. Its headquarters was at Karu, 40 km from Leh. During the Kargil War, the division consisted of the 3rd Artillery Brigade (the special division for artillery missions), 70th Infantry Brigade, reassigned from Demchok, Ladakh, on the Chinese border, and the 102nd Infantry Brigade. Both were normally assigned to the division.[3] It is also currently responsible for security of the entire eastern Ladakh LAC border with China. The division has three infantry brigades stationed at Tangste, Kairi and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO); under it, along with an artillery brigade.
The 8th Mountain Division - (Forever in Ops Division) - Was established in 1963 to carry out counter insurgency operations in Nagaland. Until 1990, it was headquartered at Kohima under III Corps.[8] As trouble erupted in Kashmir in the late 1980s, the division was moved to the Kashmir Valley, making it the spearhead of the counter-insurgency operations. During the Kargil War, it was rushed into the Kargil-Drass and Batalik sectors from Kashmir Valley, where it proved its mettle.[9] It is presently tasked to look after the LoC. It also includes a Division Artillery Brigade.[10] Headquartered at Khumbathang, Ladakh.[11]
The High Altitude Medical Research Centre (HAMRC), 153 General Hospital of the 14 Corps, is the highest multi-specialty hospital in the world along with 14 Corps Dental Unit being the highest multi-speciality dental unit in the world providing treatment in extreme climatic conditions.[14]
Uniform Force of Rashtriya Rifles from Poonch district in Jammu & Kashmir was moved to Ladakh sector on permanent basis in 2020 as part of the ORBAT reorganization.[15]