XIV Corps (India)

Military field formation of the Indian Army

XIV Corps

Indian Army XIV Corps Formation Sign

Active| 1999 – present
Country| India
Branch| Indian Army
Role| Holding Corps
Size| Corps
Part of|  Northern Command
Garrison/HQ| Leh
Nickname(s)| Fire and Fury Corps
Anniversaries| 1 September
Commanders
Current
commander| Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla
SC**, SM, VSM
Notable
commanders| Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta
Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi
Lt Gen Balwant Singh Negi
Lt Gen Shri Krishna Singh
Lt Gen Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj

Military unit

Indian Army Corps (1915 - Present)

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XII Corps|  XV Corps

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.

## History

[edit]

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]

## Order of battle

[edit]

Lieutenant General Harinder Singh assuming command of ‘Fire & Fury Corps’ relieving Lieutenant General YK Joshi, October 2019

* 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 72nd Infantry Division \- Being raised and includes HQ supported by a Brigade as of March 2025. To support the 3rd Division in Ladakh.[12] The formation was to be raised under XVII Corps but the move was halted midway in 2017-18 due to "paucity of funds".[13][14] HQ formation includes 25 officers, 30 JCOs and 112 soldiers. The Division will replace Uniform Force in the Corps.[15]
* 102 (Independent) Infantry Brigade (Siachen Brigade)[16]
* 118 (Independent) Infantry Brigade (Parashu Brigade)[17]
* 254 (Independent) Armoured Brigade (Snow Leopard Brigade)
* 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.[18]
* 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.[19]

## List of commanders

[edit]

Flags of XIV Corps and its constituent divisions and brigades

Leh war memorial (XIV Corps)

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (June 2021)

|

Rank  | Name  | Appointment Date  | Left Office  | Unit of Commission  | References

|
|
|
|
|

Lieutenant General | A B Masih  | September 1999  | May 2000  | Kumaon Regiment | [20]
Arjun Ray | June 2000  | March 2002  | Kumaon Regiment | [21]
RB Singh  | April 2002  | December 2003  | Brigade of the Guards |
Sudhir Kumar  | December 2003  | 2004  | 4th Gorkha Rifles | [22]
Milan Lalitkumar Naidu  | 2004  | October 2005  | Rajput Regiment | [23]
JK Mohanty  | October 2005  | January 2007  | Dogra Regiment | [24]
Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj | January 2007  | 28 February 2008  | Parachute Regiment | [25]
Vijay Kumar Ahluwalia  | 1 March 2008  | 1 March 2009  | Regiment of Artillery | [26]
Shri Krishna Singh | 2009  | 2010  | 8th Gorkha Rifles | [27]
Ravi Dastane  | 2011  | 2012  | Regiment of Artillery | [28]
Rajan Bakshi  | 2012  | May 2013  | 17th Horse (Poona Horse) | [29]
Rakesh Sharma  | June 2013  | 2014  | 11th Gorkha Rifles | [30]
Balwant Singh Negi | 2014  | 2 July 2015  | Assam Regiment | [31]
Shravan Kumar Patyal | 2 July 2015  | 24 August 2016  | 4th Gorkha Rifles | [32]
Parminder Jit Singh Pannu  | 25 August 2016  | 2017  | Maratha Light Infantry | [33][34]
Santosh Kumar Upadhya  | 2017  | 30 August 2018  | Garhwal Rifles | [35][36]
Yogesh Kumar Joshi | 31 August 2018  | 9 October 2019  | Jammu and Kashmir Rifles | [37]
Harinder Singh | 10 October 2019  | 13 October 2020  | Maratha Light Infantry | [38]
PGK Menon  | 13 October 2020  | 4 January 2022  | Sikh Regiment | [39]
Anindya Sengupta | 5 January 2022  | 12 March 2023  | Punjab Regiment | [40]
Rashim Bali  | 13 March 2023  | 30 June 2024  | Sikh Light Infantry | [41]
Hitesh Bhalla  | 1 July 2024  | Incumbent | Maratha Light Infantry | [42]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Malik, General V. P. (2010), Kargil-From Surprise TO Victory, HarperCollins Publishers India, Chapter 3, ISBN 978-93-5029-313-3
2. ^ Ravi Rikhye and Mandeep Bajwa, www.orbat.com mainpage, 4 August 2010
3. ^ a b Mandeep S. Bajwa with assistance from Ravi Rikhye, Indian Army – Kargil War 1999, V2.0, 8 March 2006 Archived 27 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 2010
4. ^ NorthernComd.IA [@NorthernComd_IA] (17 September 2019). "#LtGenRanbirSingh, #ArmyCdrNC visited Eastern Ladakh & witnessed Integrated Exercise of all Arms in Super High Altitude Area; complimented all ranks for outstanding display of war fighting capability under challenging conditions. / @adgpi @SpokespersonMoD @PIB_Indiapic.twitter.com/HZEFAj1wkT" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 September 2019 - via Twitter.
5. ^ NorthernComd.IA [@NorthernComd_IA] (18 September 2019). "Glimpses of "Ex Changthang Prahar" - All Arms Integrated Exercise at #EasternLadakh; employment of Mech Forces with force multipliers integrating high tech platforms; witnessed by #LtGenRanbirSingh, #ArmyCdrNC / @adgpi / @SpokespersonMoD / @PIB_Indiapic.twitter.com/UBr8jb1eFe" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 September 2019 - via Twitter.
6. ^ Singh, Mayank (9 August 2020). "Border row: India, China hold Major General-level talks on disengagement process". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
7. ^ "India-China border dispute | Disengagement can take a while: Army and Govt say process intricate, complex". The Indian Express. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
8. ^ a b Conboy et al, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, p.8
9. ^ "The Kargil victors: 8 Mountain division, 'Forever in Operations'". 1 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
10. ^ Kothari, Sonu M. (1 August 2024). "Memories of battles and bravery". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
11. ^ "Kargil Revisited: 22 Years Later, Gaps at Strategic Level Still Exist but Being Fixed". 26 July 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
12. ^ Singh, Mayank (27 March 2025). "New Army division to defend Eastern Ladakh". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
13. ^ "Eye on eastern Ladakh, new Army division likely to be raised this year". The Indian Express. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
14. ^ "Army to permanently deploy 72 Division to guard China border in eastern Ladakh". India Today. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
15. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (27 March 2025). "Cleared in 2017 for Mountain Strike Corps, 72 Division now being raised in Ladakh. Here's why". ThePrint. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
16. ^ "Battleground Siachen". 13 April 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
17. ^ "Celebrating 20 Years To Kargil Vijay, Fire And Fury Corps flags off White Water Rafting Expedition undertaken by Parashu Brigade". 12 July 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
18. ^ "14 Corps / XIV Corps". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
19. ^ "Army beefs up Leh-based 14 Corps to counter belligerent China as winter approaches". 12 November 2021.
20. ^ "General quits under cloud". 11 April 2000. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
21. ^ "Mission: Possible". 1 July 2002. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
22. ^ "Lt Gen Sharma is new Leh based-14 Corps Commander". 7 May 2003. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
23. ^ "Hon'ble Lt. Gen. (Retd) Milan Lalitkumar Naidu, PVSM, AVSM, YSM". Retrieved 4 July 2021.
24. ^ "Milan Naidu to be Vice-Chief of Army Staff". 25 August 2007.
25. ^ "Lt Gen P C Bhardwaj to take over as Army Vice Chief on Oct 1". 30 September 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
26. ^ "DPE databank" (PDF). 2 April 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
27. ^ "Lt Gen SK Singh takes over as Army Vice Chief". 1 November 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
28. ^ "New battle for next Army chief". 30 October 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
29. ^ "Lt Gen Rajan Bakshi, GOC 14 Corps promoted as Army Commander. To take over as GOC-in-C Central Command on 01 July". 24 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
30. ^ "Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.)". Retrieved 3 July 2021.
31. ^ "3 new Commanders to take charge". 30 November 2015.
32. ^ "Lt Gen Patyal take over as GOC of Army's 14 Corps". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
33. ^ "Lt Gen Pannu is new GOC Leh". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
34. ^ IANS (3 February 2018). "250-year-old Indian regiment draws inspiration from warrior-ruler Shivaji". GulfNews. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
35. ^ "Lt General Santosh Kumar apppointed [sic] new Indian Military Academy commandant". The Indian Express. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
36. ^ "Close shave for Army commanders after helicopter crash in eastern Ladakh". India Today. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
37. ^ ANI (31 August 2018). "Tiger Hill hero takes charge of Ladakh's defence". Business Standard India. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
38. ^ ARMY, ADG PI-INDIAN (10 October 2019). "Lieutenant General Harinder Singh assumed command of 'Fire & Fury Corps' relieving Lieutenant General YK Joshi today. Troops of Fire & Fury Corps #IndianArmy face the most hostile terrain, weather & altitude challenges which no army in the world faces. #NationFirstpic.twitter.com/aqSLS9CEzY". @adgpi. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
39. ^ Menon, PGK. "PGK Menon Takes over 14 Corps".
40. ^ sengupta, anindya (6 January 2022). "Lt. Gen. Sengupta takes over as Leh-based 14 Corps commander". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
41. ^ "Lt Gen Rashim Bali takes over command of Leh-based XIV Corps". 13 March 2023.
42. ^ "Army prepares for major leadership changes in key Commands and Corps". India Today. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.

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