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| image = | | image = | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| dates = | | dates = 2013-Present | ||
| country = {{flag|India}} | | country = {{flag|India}} | ||
| allegiance = | | allegiance = | ||
| branch = {{army|India}} | | branch = {{army|India}} | ||
| type = | | type = Mountain troops | ||
| role = | | role = [[Close-quarters combat]]<br>[[Cold-weather warfare]]<br>[[Combined arms]]<br>[[Counter-insurgency]]<br>[[Forward observer]]<br>[[Jungle warfare]]<br>[[Mountain warfare]]<br>[[Offensive (military)| Offensive]]<br>[[Raid (military)| Raiding]]<br>[[Reconnaissance]]<br>[[Urban warfare]] | ||
| command_structure = [[Eastern Command (India)]] | | command_structure = [[Eastern Command (India)]] | ||
| garrison = [[Panagarh]]<!-- Commanders --> | | garrison = [[Panagarh]]<!-- Commanders --> | ||
| nickname = ''Brahmastra Corps'' | | nickname = ''Brahmastra Corps'' | ||
| battles = | | battles = | ||
| current_commander = Lt Gen | | current_commander = Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan,<br/>{{post-nominals|country=IND|size=75%|sep=,|AVSM|YSM|}} | ||
| ceremonial_chief = | | ceremonial_chief = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Indian Army Corps | {{Indian Army Corps | ||
|previous=[[ | |previous=[[IX Corps (India)|IX Corps]] | ||
|next= | |next=None | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''XVII Corps | '''XVII Corps''' is the first mountain strike [[corps]] of [[India]] which has been built as a quick reaction force and as well as counter offensive force against [[China]] along [[Line of Actual Control|LAC]]. Its headquarters are located at [[Panagarh]] in [[West Bengal]] under [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]].<ref>{{cite news |date=8 June 2017 |title=Indian Army Is Fully Ready For A Two-And-A-Half Front War, Says Army Chief General Bipin Rawat |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/06/08/indian-army-is-fully-ready-for-a-two-and-a-half-front-war-says_a_22131995/ |work=[[HuffPost]] |location= [[New Delhi]]|access-date=8 June 2017 }}</ref> It is also known as Brahmastra Corps. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Republic of India shares a boundary ([[Line of Actual Control|LAC]]) of length 4,057 km<ref name="times of India - 5 airbases">{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=8 March 2011 |title=China has five airbases, extensive rail-road networks in Tibet: Antony |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/China-has-five-airbases-extensive-rail-road-networks-in-Tibet-Antony/articleshow/7648434.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 June 2017 }}</ref> with | Republic of India shares a boundary ([[Line of Actual Control|LAC]]) of length 4,057 km<ref name="times of India - 5 airbases">{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=8 March 2011 |title=China has five airbases, extensive rail-road networks in Tibet: Antony |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/China-has-five-airbases-extensive-rail-road-networks-in-Tibet-Antony/articleshow/7648434.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 June 2017 }}</ref> with Tibet autonomous region. The two countries still have not resolved their disagreement about where exactly the border lies; specially over two regions – [[Aksai Chin]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. Intrusion of troops of [[People's Liberation Army|PLA]] into Indian territory,<ref>{{cite news |last=WATTS |first=JAKE MAXWELL |date=2 May 2013 |title=Are China and India About to Fight Over Their Border? |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/china/archive/2013/05/are-china-and-india-about-to-fight-over-their-border/275518/ |work=[[The Atlantic]] |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> construction of watch tower close to the mutually-accepted "border patrolling line" near Burtse,<ref>{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=12 September 2015 |title=Indian, Chinese troops in another face-off in Ladakh |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-Chinese-troops-in-another-face-off-in-Ladakh/articleshow/48937333.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 June 2017 }}</ref> "standardization" of the names of six towns in Arunachal Pradesh<ref>{{cite news |last=Joshua |first=Anita |date=19 April 2017|title=How to decipher China's answer|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170420/jsp/frontpage/story_147322.jsp |work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)]], Guwahati Bureau |location=[[Guwahati]] |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> (China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of China) enhanced the tension. | ||
In addition, | In addition, China has developed a rail network and five fully operational airbases in [[Tibet Autonomous Region]]. Key airfields include those at Hoping, Pangta and Kong Ka.<ref name="times of India - 5 airbases"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.claws.in/347/plaaf-deployments-in-tibet-manish-girdhar.html |title=PLAAF Deployments in Tibet |last=Girdhar |first=Manish |website=[[Centre for Land Warfare Studies]] |access-date= 22 June 2017}}</ref> In Tibet and [[Yunan County|Yunan]], roads are extended over 58,000 km (in 2010)<ref name="times of India - 5 airbases"/> up to the border, at an approximate cost of about $325 billion. As a result of all these buildout of infrastructures, China can mobilize 30 [[Division (military)|divisions]] (each with over 15,000 soldiers)<ref>{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=9 January 2014 |title=Army kicks off raising new mountain strike corps against China |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-kicks-off-raising-new-mountain-strike-corps-against-China/articleshow/28571907.cms |work= [[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> aside heading to the LAC within 48 hours. Moreover, about 300,011 PLA troops and six Rapid Reaction Forces are placed at [[Chengdu]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sen |first=Sudhi Ranjan |date=27 February 2015 |title= Only 20 Per Cent of India-China Strategic Border Roads Ready Till Now|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/only-one-fifth-of-india-china-strategic-border-roads-ready-till-now-743051 |work=[[NDTV]] |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> | ||
To reinforce defensive power across the border in Arunachal Pradesh, Indian | To reinforce defensive power across the border in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Army raised two new infantry divisions (1,260 officers and 35,000 soldiers) at [[Likapani]]<ref name="indiatvnews.com">{{cite news |date=9 January 2014 |title=Indian Army raises new mountain strike corps against China |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/indian-army-raises-new-mountain-strike-corps-against-china-32259.html |work=India TV News Desk |location=[[New Delhi]] |access-date=22 June 2017 }}</ref> and [[Missamari (Assam)]]<ref name="times of India - 5 airbases"/> in 2009-2010. However PLA outnumbered Indian army near border by three to one.<ref name="times of India - Fund crunch">{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=8 March 2011 |title=Fund crunch hits Army's new strike corps |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Fund-crunch-hits-Armys-new-strike-corps/articleshow/46940064.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 June 2017 }}</ref> | ||
To overcome the gap, in July 2013, the cabinet committee, under the [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA government]], sanctioned the proposal, which had been already approved by Chiefs of Staff Committee or CoSC, a committee composed of the chiefs of [[Indian Army]], [[Indian Navy]] and [[Indian Air Force]], to build the new mountain strike corps over a time span of seven years (12th plan period (2012–17), with a little spillover into the 13th plan if necessary).<ref>{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=13 June 2013 |title=China-wary Army for mountain strike corps | To overcome the gap, in July 2013, the cabinet committee, under the [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA government]], sanctioned the proposal, which had been already approved by Chiefs of Staff Committee or CoSC, a committee composed of the chiefs of [[Indian Army]], [[Indian Navy]] and [[Indian Air Force]], to build the new mountain strike corps over a time span of seven years (12th plan period (2012–17), with a little spillover into the 13th plan if necessary).<ref>{{cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=13 June 2013 |title=China-wary Army for mountain strike corps | ||
|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/China-wary-Army-for-mountain-strike-corps/articleshow/18001374.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=8 June 2017 }}</ref> The corps was planned to be raised with around 90 thousand soldiers and thus Rs 64,678 crore had been sanctioned. Out of this budget, around Rs 39,000 crore<ref name="times of India - Fund crunch"/> had been earmarked for capital expenditure. An additional Rs 19,000 crore was also demanded for further development. | |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/China-wary-Army-for-mountain-strike-corps/articleshow/18001374.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=8 June 2017 }}</ref> The corps was planned to be raised with around 90 thousand soldiers and thus Rs 64,678 crore had been sanctioned. Out of this budget, around Rs 39,000 crore<ref name="times of India - Fund crunch"/> had been earmarked for capital expenditure. An additional Rs 19,000 crore was also demanded for further development. | ||
From October 2013, army started posting | From October 2013, the army started posting key officers in [[Ranchi]], [[Jharkhand]]. On January 1, 2014, Major General Raymond Joseph Noronha, the first commander of 17 Corps,<ref name="indiatvnews.com"/> raised the flag of this corps for the first time in Ranchi.<ref name="rediff.com">{{cite news |last=Chauhan |first=R S |date=3 January 2014 |title=Finally, an army strike corps aimed at China |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/finally-an-army-strike-corps-aimed-at-china/20140103.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> The corps was relocated from Ranchi to Panagarh in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-keep-eye-on-china-indian-army-shifts-mountain-strike-corps-headquarters-from-ranchi-to-panagarh-200313|title=To keep eye on China, Indian Army shifts Mountain Strike Corps’ headquarters from Jharkhand to West Bengal|date=2019-02-28|access-date=2021-07-14}}</ref> | ||
[[File:Panagarh war memorial.jpg|thumb|17 Corps War Memorial at Panagarh.]] | |||
== Strength == | == Strength == | ||
The initial plan at the time of raising was to have the corps with two infantry divisions, two independent armoured brigades and artillery, engineer, air defence and aviation brigades. Because of budgetary | The initial plan at the time of raising was to have the corps with two infantry divisions, two independent armoured brigades and artillery, engineer, air defence and aviation brigades. Because of budgetary constraints, the raising was halted in 2018, leaving a truncated force comprising the Corps HQ, one infantry division and certain other combat and combat support elements.<ref name="ET">{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/view-to-deal-with-the-chinese-threat-on-the-lac-revive-the-mountain-strike-corps/articleshow/77081751.cms|title=View: To deal with the Chinese threat on the LAC, revive the Mountain Strike Corps|date=2020-07-21|access-date=2021-07-14}}</ref> | ||
The corps consists of - | The corps consists of - | ||
* | *23 Infantry Division - The division has been moved from the command of I Corps. As I Corps moved to [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]], the division is now in [[Ranchi, Jharkhand]]. | ||
*72 Division was planned to be established at [[ | *59 Infantry Division - has already been established at [[Panagarh]]. It consists of six Brigades, of which three are Infantry and one each of Engineers, Air Defence and Artillery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/experts-debate-the-necessity-of-second-mountain-strike-corps-for-china-border/articleshow/78638401.cms|title=Experts debate the necessity of second Mountain Strike Corps for China border|date=2020-10-30|access-date=2021-07-14}}</ref> | ||
*72 Division was planned to be established at [[Darjeeling]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-kicks-off-raising-of-2nd-division-under-mountain-strike-corps-plans-exercise-in-ladakh/articleshow/58884540.cms?from=mdr |title = Army kicks off raising of 2nd division under Mountain Strike Corps, plans exercise in Ladakh | India News - Times of India}}</ref><ref name="ET"/> | |||
==Mascot== | ==Mascot== | ||
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|June 2020 | |June 2020 | ||
|[[Kumaon Regiment]] | |[[Kumaon Regiment]] | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/easterncomd/status/1140291282201219073 | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/easterncomd/status/1140291282201219073|title=Lt Gen Shashank Shekhar Mishra, VSM took over took as GOC Brahmashtra Corps on 15 June 2019 from Lt Gen Pandala Nagesh Rao, YSM, SM. The Gen Officer has held several distinguished appointments during his career spanning 36 years @adgpi @SpokespersonMoDpic.twitter.com/rSL70d1lAn|last=EasternCommand_IA|date=2019-06-16|website=@easterncomd|language=en|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Savneet Singh | |Savneet Singh | ||
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|Rajinder Dewan | |Rajinder Dewan | ||
|19 June 2021 | |19 June 2021 | ||
| | |24 June 2022 | ||
|[[Sikh Regiment]] | |[[Sikh Regiment]] | ||
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1406137557369298950|title=ADG PI tweet-Lieutenant General Rajinder Dewan, assumed the command of Brahmastra Corps|date=2021-06-19|access-date=2021-06-19}}</ref> | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1406137557369298950|title=ADG PI tweet-Lieutenant General Rajinder Dewan, assumed the command of Brahmastra Corps|date=2021-06-19|access-date=2021-06-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |||
|VM Bhuvana Krishnan | |||
|24 June 2022 | |||
|[[Incumbent]] | |||
|[[Dogra Regiment]] | |||
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/easterncomd/status/1540375007964332032|title=Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan takes over as GOC Brahmastra Corps|date=2022-06-24|access-date=2022-06-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://neindiabroadcast.com/2022/06/25/lt-gen-vm-bhuvana-krishnan-avsmysm-took-over-the-command-of-the-brahmastra-corps/|title=Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan, AVSM,YSM took over the command of the Brahmastra Corps|date=2022-06-25|access-date=2022-06-27}}</ref> | |||
|} | |} | ||
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<!--- Categories ---> | <!--- Categories ---> | ||
[[Category:Corps of India]] | [[Category:Corps of India]] | ||