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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                    = XI Corps
| unit_name                    = XI Corps
| image                        =  
| image                        =  
| caption                      =  
| caption                      =  
| dates                        = 1939 - 1945<br/> 1950 - present
| dates                        = 1950 - present
| country                      = [[India]]
| country                      = [[India]]
| branch                        = [[Indian Army]]
| branch                        = [[Indian Army]]
Line 12: Line 12:
| garrison                      = [[Jalandhar]]
| garrison                      = [[Jalandhar]]
| equipment                    = <!-- Commanders -->
| equipment                    = <!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander            = [[Bansi Ponnappa|Lt Gen C B Ponnappa]]
| current_commander            = Lt Gen Devendra Sharma
| ceremonial_chief              =  
| ceremonial_chief              =  
| colonel_of_the_regiment      =  
| colonel_of_the_regiment      =  
| notable_commanders            = [[General (India)|General]] [[Om Prakash Malhotra]]<br/>[[General (India)|General]] [[Ved Prakash Malik]]<br>Lt Gen [[T. B. Henderson Brooks]]<br>Lt Gen [[Harbaksh Singh]]<br>Lt Gen [[Joginder Singh Dhillon|J. S. Dhillon]]
| notable_commanders            = [[General (India)|General]] [[Om Prakash Malhotra]]<br />[[General (India)|General]] [[Ved Prakash Malik]]<br />Lt Gen [[T. B. Henderson Brooks|T B Henderson Brooks]]<br />Lt Gen [[Joginder Singh Dhillon|J S Dhillon]]
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol        =  
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol        =  
| identification_symbol_2      = <!-- Culture and history -->
| identification_symbol_2      = <!-- Culture and history -->
| nickname                      = ''Vajra Corps''
| nickname                      = ''Vajra Corps''<br />''Defenders of Punjab''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/vajra-corps-celebrates-71st-raising-day-219416|title=Vajra Corps celebrates 71st Raising Day|date=2021-03-01|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
 
| patron                        =  
| patron                        =  
| motto                        =  
| motto                        =  
Line 26: Line 27:
| anniversaries                =  
| anniversaries                =  
| decorations                  =  
| decorations                  =  
| battle_honours                =  
| battle_honours                = Theatre Honour:<br />''Punjab''<br />Battle Honours:<br />''Dograi''<br />''Barki''<br />''Asal Uttar''<br />''Sehjra''<br />''Dera Baba Nanak''<ref name="ToI">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/vajra-corps-defenders-of-punjab-celebrates-platinum-jubilee/articleshow/74427425.cms|title=Vajra Corps - 'Defenders of Punjab' - celebrates Platinum Jubilee|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=2021-03-01|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Indian Army Corps
{{Indian Army Corps
|previous=[[X Corps (India)|X Corps]]
|previous=[[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]
|next=[[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]
|next=[[I Corps (India)|I Corps]]
}}
}}
The '''XI Corps ''' of the [[Indian Army]] is based in [[Jalandhar]] and is a part of [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]].  
The '''XI Corps''' of the [[Indian Army]] is based in [[Jalandhar]] and is a part of [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]].
XI Corps was raised to take command of the formations in the Punjab in 1950<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 26.</ref> as India reorganised its post-1947 army to meet the new threat of Pakistan.<ref>http://forum.pakistanidefence.com/lofiversion/index.php/t7640.html</ref>


It consists of:{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
==History==
*7th Infantry Division headquartered at [[Firozpur]], raised in 1964.<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 40</ref>
XI Corps was raised to take command of the formations in the Punjab in 1950<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 26.</ref> as India reorganised its post-1947 army to meet the new threat of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://forum.pakistanidefence.com/lofiversion/index.php/t7640.html |title=IPS Driver Error |access-date=21 September 2009 |archive-date=20 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220000836/http://forum.pakistanidefence.com/lofiversion/index.php/t7640.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was raised on March 1, 1950 at [[Ambala Cantonment|Ambala]] under the command of Lieutenant General Kalwant Singh.<ref name="OneIndia">{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/03/01/vajra-corps-celebrates-raising-day-1174118193.html|title=Vajra Corps celebrates Raising Day|date=2007-03-17|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref> The corps headquarters was relocated to Jalandhar in July 1951.<ref name="ToI"/>
*[[9th Infantry Division (India)|9th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Meerut]], one brigade Meerut, one brigade Delhi, one brigade Jalandhar.
*[[15th Infantry Division (India)|15th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Amritsar]]. Appears to include [[350th Infantry Brigade (India)|350th Infantry Brigade]].<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 166.</ref> The [[66th Armoured Regiment (India)|66th Armoured Regiment]] fought in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] as the integral armoured regiment of the 15th Infantry Division.<ref name="Nath2009">{{cite book|last=Nath|first=Ashok|title=Izzat: historical records and iconography of Indian cavalry regiments, 1750-2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sGQeQwAACAAJ|year=2009|publisher=Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, United Service Institution of India|isbn=978-81-902097-7-9|pages=644-646}}</ref>
*[[23rd Armoured Brigade (India)|23rd Armoured Brigade]]
*55th Mechanised Brigade ([[Beas]])<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011.</ref>


In 1984, [[46th Armoured Regiment (India)|46th Armoured Regiment]], [[Indian Army Armoured Corps]], was based in [[Amritsar]] as part of an armoured brigade at the time of [[Operation Blue Star]].
To reduce the load of XI Corps, [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]] was formed at [[Bathinda]] on 1 July 1979, taking over south [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and north [[Rajasthan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2019/jan16-19/h8.htm|title=Commands of the Indian Army, South Western (Sapta Shakti) Command: Forever Victorious|date=2019-01-16|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
 
==Formation Sign==
The Corps formation sign consists of the 'red-white-red background' depicting a corps of the Indian Army overlaid by a '''[[Vajra]]''', the powerful thunderbolt weapon of Lord [[Indra]], the symbol of sacrifice of the great sage [[Dadhichi]], who voluntarily sacrificed his body to make the fiercest weapon from his thighbone.<ref name="OneIndia"/>
[[File:Vajra platinum jubilee.jpg|thumb|Vajra Corps Platinum Jubilee, 1 March 2020]]
 
==Organisation==
 
The corps consists of:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/jalandhar/vajra-corps-celebrates-infantry-day-315973|title=Vajra Corps celebrates Infantry Day|date=2016-10-28|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
 
*7 Infantry Division ''(Golden Arrow Division)'' headquartered at [[Firozpur]], raised in 1964.<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 40</ref>
*[[9th Infantry Division (India)|9 Infantry Division]] ''(Pine Division)'' headquartered at [[Meerut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesof==hISTORY==ndia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/golden-moments-at-pine-division/articleshow/39962414.cms|title=Golden moments at Pine Division|date=2014-08-09|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref> It has one brigade each at Meerut, Delhi and Jalandhar.
*[[15th Infantry Division (India)|15 Infantry Division]] ''(Panther Division)'' headquartered at [[Amritsar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/india/20091001/1353313.html|title=15 Infantry division celebrates its raising day|date=2009-10-01|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref> Appears to include [[350th Infantry Brigade (India)|350 Infantry Brigade]].<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 166.</ref>
*[[23rd Armoured Brigade (India)|23 (Independent) Armoured Brigade]] ''(Flaming Arrow Brigade)'' at Khasa, Amritsar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/army-commander-western-command-visits-khasa-military-station/north/news/2084906.html|title=Army Commander Western Command visits Khasa Military station|date=2020-07-18|access-date=2021-07-05}}</ref>
*55 (Independent) Mechanised Brigade ''(Double Victory Brigade)'' at [[Beas]]<ref>Renaldi & Rikhye 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2019/jan16-19/h12.htm|title=War Disabled Soldiers and Veer Naris Meet Organised at Beas|date=2019-01-16|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
*Corps Artillery Brigade<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/jalandhar/vajra-corps-organises-veer-nari-meet-76021|title=Vajra Corps organises Veer Nari meet|date=2015-05-04|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
*Corps Air Defence Brigade<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/ludhiana/vajra-air-defence-felicitates-veer-naris-at-annual-event-699584|title=Vajra Air Defence felicitates veer naris at annual event|date=2018-12-17|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
 
[[File:Vajra Shaurya Sthal.jpg|thumb|Vajra Shaurya Sthal, Jalandhar Cantonment - the Corps war memorial]]
 
==Operations==
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]<ref name="Defenders">{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/saluting-defenders-of-punjab-51983|title=Saluting 'Defenders of Punjab'|date=2020-03-07|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]<ref name="Defenders"/>


== List of Commanders ==
== List of Commanders ==
[[File:Vajra Museum.jpg|thumb|Vajra Museum, Jalandhar<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/jalandhar/vajra-museum-inaugurated-843190|title=Vajra Museum inaugurated|date=2019-10-06|access-date=2021-07-26}}</ref>]]
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2021}}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
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!References
!References
|-
|-
!JS Cheema
|Kalwant Singh
! rowspan="6" |[[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]]
|rowspan="35" |[[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]]
!
|1 March 1950
!31 August 2016
|
![[Sikh Regiment]] <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://flamecareeracademy.com/guest-speaker-6|title=LT GEN JS CHEEMA, PVSM, AVSM (RETD)
|[[1st Punjab Regiment]]
|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref>
|<ref name="OneIndia"/>
!
|-
|[[S. P. P. Thorat|S P P Thorat]]
|1955
|May 1957
|[[14th Punjab Regiment|1/14 Punjab]]
|<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=VK|title=Leadership in the Indian Army: Biographies of Twelve Soldiers|publisher=SAGE India|date=2005|isbn=978-0761933229|page=140}}</ref><ref name="OneIndia"/>
|-
|[[T. B. Henderson Brooks|T B Henderson Brooks]]
|1962
|1963
|[[5th Mahratta Light Infantry]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/1962-war-report-when-nehru-stepped-on-the-dragons-tail/articleshow/32274881.cms|title=1962 war report: When Nehru stepped on the Dragon's tail|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=2014-03-19|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Joginder Singh Dhillon]]
|November 1963
|August 1966
|[[Bengal Engineer Group|Bengal Sappers]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/last-salute-to-the-lion-of-1965/|title=Last salute to the lion of 1965|date=2003-12-19|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Premindra Singh Bhagat]]
|August 1966
|August 1970
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Bombay Sappers]]
|
|-
|[[N. C. Rawlley|Naveen Chand Rawlley]]
|1970
|1972
|[[12th Frontier Force Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/1971-operations-case-west-i/|title=1971 operations - Case West - I|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Om Prakash Malhotra]]
|May 1972
|July 1974
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=134065|title=COAS pays Tribute to Former COAS Gen Om Prakash Malhotra|date=2015-12-31|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|Krishnaswamy Gowri Shankar
|1984
|1985
|[[Indian Army Corps of Signals|Corps of Signals]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa-india.org/an-sep-6.html|title=Examples of Learning in Counter-Insurgency|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[V. K. Nayar|V K Nayar]]
|1985
|31 October 1987
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]{{refn|group=nb|Originally a [[Indian Army Corps of Signals|Signals]] officer, General Nayar, after persistent pestering of his bosses, managed a transfer to his desired regiment — the [[Maratha Light Infantry]] (MLI), securing a billet with 2 Para (3rd battalion, MLI, converted to paratroop infantry).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bharatkarnad.com/2013/08/11/unforgiving-take-on-the-past/|title=Unforgiving take on past|date=2013-08-11|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref> }}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1987-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1987-10-27_123.pdf|title=PIB Release|date=1987-10-27|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[B. K. N. Chhibber|Bakshi Krishan Nath Chhibber]]
|July 1990
|September 1992
|[[9th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://osamohindracollege.org/dwn/souvenir1995.pdf|title=Souvenir 1995|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ved Prakash Malik]]
|August 1992
|
|[[Sikh Light Infantry]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporatecitizen.in/v3-issue11/cover-story-decorated-duo.html|title=COVER STORY: DECORATED DUO|date=2017-08-16|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref><ref name="OneIndia"/>
|-
|H B Kala
|April 1995
|
|[[Jat Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apsbeas.org/about_us.php|title=About Us|date=|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|Virendra Kumar Sewal
|
|
|[[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]]
|
|-
|[[Kamal Davar]]
|March 2000
|April 2001
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000304/punjab.htm#20|title=Golden jubilee of Vajra Corps|date=2000-03-04|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|Shantonu Choudhry
|April 2001
|April 2002
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/dec/14army.htm|title=Lt Gen Shantonu Choudhry appointed Vice Chief of Army Staff|date=2002-12-14|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|Krishnamurthy Nagaraj
|Apr 2002
|May 2003
|[[Maratha Light Infantry]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030302/punjab1.htm#12|title=Vajra Corps celebrates Raising Day|date=2003-03-01|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|S Pattabhiraman
|May 2003
|May 2004
|[[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Sappers]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050203/cth1.htm|title=Pattabhiraman takes over as GOC-in-C, Western Command|date=2005-02-03|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref><ref name="OneIndia"/>
|-
|Parmendra Kumar Singh
|May 2004
|May 2005
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref name="Tribune">{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050522/punjab.htm|title=Lieut-Gen Mandhata Singh is new GOC of Vajra Corps|date=2005-05-22|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|Mandhata Singh
|May 2005
|April 2006
|[[9th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref name="Tribune"/>
|-
|Noble Thamburaj
|May 2006
|September 2007
|[[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Sappers]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/09/29/lt-gen-kumar-takes-over-as-goc-of-vajra-corps-1191056855.html|title=Lt Gen Kumar takes over as GOC of Vajra Corps|date=2007-09-29|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|S S Kumar
|October 2007
|August 2008
|[[Brigade of the Guards]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/apr15-08/h6.html|title=Vajra Celebrations|date=2008-04-08|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|Virender Singh Tonk
|August 2008
|July 2009
|[[Rajput Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/08/21/lt-gen-vs-tonk-takes-command-of-vajra-corps-1219313021.html?story=1|title=Lt Gen VS Tonk takes command of Vajra Corps|date=2008-08-21|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|-
!B S Sahrawat
|[[Ramesh Halagali|Ramesh Halgali]]
!1 September 2016
|24 July 2009
!2 November 2017
|August 2010
![[Kumaon Regiment]]  
|[[Sikh Light Infantry]]
!<ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-09-03|title=Lt Gen BS Sahrawat takes over as commanding officer of Vajra Corps|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Lt-Gen-BS-Sahrawat-takes-over-as-commanding-officer-of-Vajra-Corps/articleshow/53988631.cms|language=en |location=Chandigarh|access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/89484/ktaka-man-head-military-training.html|title=K'taka man to head military training|date=2010-08-17|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|-
![[Dushyant Singh (General)|Dushyant Singh]]
|Munish Sibal
!2 November 2017
|August 2010
!4 November 2018
|November 2011
![[Maratha Light Infantry]]  
|[[Rajputana Rifles]]
!<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-11-03|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/vajra-corps-goc/491716.html|title=Vajra Corps GOC}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twocircles.net/2010aug17/lt_gen_sibal_head_vajra_corps.html|title=Lt.Gen. Sibal to head Vajra Corps|date=2010-08-18|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/sep16-10/h16.htm|title=Appointment|date=2010-08-17|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|-
![[Arvind Dutta]]
|Sanjeev Madhok
!5 November 2018
|November 2011
!5 November 2019
|March 2013
![[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[Brigade of the Guards]]
!<ref>{{cite news|date=2018-11-05|title=Lt Gen Arvind Dutta takes over command of Vajra Corps|url=http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-arvind-dutta-takes-over-command-of-vajra-corps/north/news/1398252.html|language=en |location=Jalandhar|access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/BriefLt-Gen-Madhok-takes-over-Vajra-Corps-command/articleshow/10699394.cms|title=BriefLt Gen Madhok takes over Vajra Corps Command|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=2011-11-12|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|-
![[Sanjeev Sharma (General)| Sanjeev Sharma]]
|Ashwini Kumar Bakshi
!6 November 2019
|March 2013
!2 December 2020
|July 2014
![[Rajputana Rifles]]
|[[Bihar Regiment]]
!<ref name=Sanjeev_Sharma_GOC_Vajra>{{cite news|date=2019-11-07|title=Lt Gen sharma is Goc vajra corps|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/lt-gen-sharma-is-goc-vajra-corps/857336.html|language=en |location=Jalandhar|access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/lieutant-general-ak-bakshi-assumes-command-of-vajra-corps/story-CSYNFvD5ZZqqM6zS7Ncb9N.html|title=Lieutant general AK Bakshi assumes command of Vajra Corps|date=2013-03-13|access-date=2021-07-23}}</ref>
|-
|-
![[Bansi Ponnappa|C B Ponnappa]]
|N P S Hira
!2 December 2020
|August 2014
!Incumbent
|31 July 2015
![[Mahar Regiment]]
|[[Sikh Light Infantry]]
!<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Lt Gen C Bansi Ponnappa is new GOC Vajra Corps|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/campus-notes-179325|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/news/regional/lt-gen-hira-to-take-over-as-new-northern-command-chief-of-staff-tomorrow/148070.html|title=Lt Gen Hira to take over as new Northern Command Chief of Staff today|date=2015-08-01|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>
|-
|Jagbir Singh Cheema
|21 August 2015
|31 August 2016
|[[Sikh Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://flamecareeracademy.com/guest-speaker-6|title=LT GEN JS CHEEMA, PVSM, AVSM (RETD)|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/deadlock-over-army-postings-goc-11-corps-appointed-officiating-western-army-commander-2941574/|title=Deadlock over Army postings: GOC 11 Corps appointed officiating Western Army Commander|date=2016-01-29|access-date=2021-07-22}}</ref>
|-
|B S Sahrawat
|1 September 2016
|2 November 2017
|[[Kumaon Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-09-03|title=Lt Gen BS Sahrawat takes over as commanding officer of Vajra Corps|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Lt-Gen-BS-Sahrawat-takes-over-as-commanding-officer-of-Vajra-Corps/articleshow/53988631.cms|language=en |location=Chandigarh|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>
|-
|Dushyant Singh
|2 November 2017
|4 November 2018
|[[Maratha Light Infantry]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-11-03|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/vajra-corps-goc/491716.html|title=Vajra Corps GOC}}</ref>
|-
|Arvind Dutta
|5 November 2018
|5 November 2019
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite news|date=2018-11-05|title=Lt Gen Arvind Dutta takes over command of Vajra Corps|url=http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-arvind-dutta-takes-over-command-of-vajra-corps/north/news/1398252.html|language=en |location=Jalandhar|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>
|-
|Sanjeev Sharma
|6 November 2019
|2 December 2020
|[[Rajputana Rifles]]
|<ref name=Sanjeev_Sharma_GOC_Vajra>{{cite news|date=2019-11-07|title=Lt Gen sharma is Goc vajra corps|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/lt-gen-sharma-is-goc-vajra-corps/857336.html|language=en |location=Jalandhar|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bansi Ponnappa|C B Ponnappa]]
|2 December 2020
|10 February 2022
|[[Mahar Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Lt Gen C Bansi Ponnappa is new GOC Vajra Corps|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/campus-notes-179325|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Devendra Sharma
|11 February 2022
|Incumbent
|[[Scinde Horse]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/lieut-gen-sharma-is-new-vajra-corps-commander-369202|title=Lieut Gen Devendra Sharma is new Vajra Corps commander|date=2022-02-12|access-date=2022-02-12}}</ref>
|}
|}
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Military of India}}
{{Indian Army}}{{Active_corps_of_the_Indian_Army}}
{{Indian Army}}{{Active_corps_of_the_Indian_Army}}


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{{India-mil-unit-stub}}

Revision as of 18:35, 7 November 2022

XI Corps
Active1950 - present
CountryIndia
BranchIndian Army
RoleStrike Corps
SizeArmy Corps
Part ofWestern Command
Garrison/HQJalandhar
Nickname(s)Vajra Corps
Defenders of Punjab[1]
Battle honoursTheatre Honour:
Punjab
Battle Honours:
Dograi
Barki
Asal Uttar
Sehjra
Dera Baba Nanak[2]
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Gen Devendra Sharma
Notable
commanders
General Om Prakash Malhotra
General Ved Prakash Malik
Lt Gen T B Henderson Brooks
Lt Gen J S Dhillon
Indian Army Corps (1947 - Present)
Previous Next
XXI Corps I Corps

The XI Corps of the Indian Army is based in Jalandhar and is a part of Western Command.

History

XI Corps was raised to take command of the formations in the Punjab in 1950[3] as India reorganised its post-1947 army to meet the new threat of Pakistan.[4] It was raised on March 1, 1950 at Ambala under the command of Lieutenant General Kalwant Singh.[5] The corps headquarters was relocated to Jalandhar in July 1951.[2]

To reduce the load of XI Corps, X Corps was formed at Bathinda on 1 July 1979, taking over south Punjab and north Rajasthan.[6]

Formation Sign

The Corps formation sign consists of the 'red-white-red background' depicting a corps of the Indian Army overlaid by a Vajra, the powerful thunderbolt weapon of Lord Indra, the symbol of sacrifice of the great sage Dadhichi, who voluntarily sacrificed his body to make the fiercest weapon from his thighbone.[5]

Vajra Corps Platinum Jubilee, 1 March 2020

Organisation

The corps consists of:[7]

Vajra Shaurya Sthal, Jalandhar Cantonment - the Corps war memorial

Operations

List of Commanders

Vajra Museum, Jalandhar[18]
Name Rank Appointment Date Left Office Unit of Commission References
Kalwant Singh Lieutenant General 1 March 1950 1st Punjab Regiment [5]
S P P Thorat 1955 May 1957 1/14 Punjab [19][5]
T B Henderson Brooks 1962 1963 5th Mahratta Light Infantry [20]
Joginder Singh Dhillon November 1963 August 1966 Bengal Sappers [21]
Premindra Singh Bhagat August 1966 August 1970 Bombay Sappers
Naveen Chand Rawlley 1970 1972 12th Frontier Force Regiment [22]
Om Prakash Malhotra May 1972 July 1974 Regiment of Artillery [23]
Krishnaswamy Gowri Shankar 1984 1985 Corps of Signals [24]
V K Nayar 1985 31 October 1987 Parachute Regiment[nb 1] [26]
Bakshi Krishan Nath Chhibber July 1990 September 1992 9th Gorkha Rifles [27]
Ved Prakash Malik August 1992 Sikh Light Infantry [28][5]
H B Kala April 1995 Jat Regiment [29]
Virendra Kumar Sewal Armoured Corps
Kamal Davar March 2000 April 2001 7th Light Cavalry [30]
Shantonu Choudhry April 2001 April 2002 Regiment of Artillery [31]
Krishnamurthy Nagaraj Apr 2002 May 2003 Maratha Light Infantry [32]
S Pattabhiraman May 2003 May 2004 Bombay Sappers [33][5]
Parmendra Kumar Singh May 2004 May 2005 Regiment of Artillery [34]
Mandhata Singh May 2005 April 2006 9th Gorkha Rifles [34]
Noble Thamburaj May 2006 September 2007 Bombay Sappers [35]
S S Kumar October 2007 August 2008 Brigade of the Guards [36]
Virender Singh Tonk August 2008 July 2009 Rajput Regiment [37]
Ramesh Halgali 24 July 2009 August 2010 Sikh Light Infantry [38]
Munish Sibal August 2010 November 2011 Rajputana Rifles [39][40]
Sanjeev Madhok November 2011 March 2013 Brigade of the Guards [41]
Ashwini Kumar Bakshi March 2013 July 2014 Bihar Regiment [42]
N P S Hira August 2014 31 July 2015 Sikh Light Infantry [43]
Jagbir Singh Cheema 21 August 2015 31 August 2016 Sikh Regiment [44][45]
B S Sahrawat 1 September 2016 2 November 2017 Kumaon Regiment [46]
Dushyant Singh 2 November 2017 4 November 2018 Maratha Light Infantry [47]
Arvind Dutta 5 November 2018 5 November 2019 Dogra Regiment [48]
Sanjeev Sharma 6 November 2019 2 December 2020 Rajputana Rifles [49]
C B Ponnappa 2 December 2020 10 February 2022 Mahar Regiment [50]
Devendra Sharma 11 February 2022 Incumbent Scinde Horse [51]

Notes

  1. Originally a Signals officer, General Nayar, after persistent pestering of his bosses, managed a transfer to his desired regiment — the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI), securing a billet with 2 Para (3rd battalion, MLI, converted to paratroop infantry).[25]

References

  1. "Vajra Corps celebrates 71st Raising Day". 1 March 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Vajra Corps - 'Defenders of Punjab' - celebrates Platinum Jubilee". The Times of India. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  3. Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 26.
  4. "IPS Driver Error". Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Vajra Corps celebrates Raising Day". 17 March 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  6. "Commands of the Indian Army, South Western (Sapta Shakti) Command: Forever Victorious". 16 January 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  7. "Vajra Corps celebrates Infantry Day". 28 October 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  8. Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 40
  9. "Golden moments at Pine Division". 9 August 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  10. "15 Infantry division celebrates its raising day". 1 October 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  11. Renaldi & Rikhye 2011, 166.
  12. "Army Commander Western Command visits Khasa Military station". 18 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  13. Renaldi & Rikhye 2011.
  14. "War Disabled Soldiers and Veer Naris Meet Organised at Beas". 16 January 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  15. "Vajra Corps organises Veer Nari meet". 4 May 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  16. "Vajra Air Defence felicitates veer naris at annual event". 17 December 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  17. 17.0 17.1 "Saluting 'Defenders of Punjab'". 7 March 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  18. "Vajra Museum inaugurated". 6 October 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  19. Singh, VK (2005). Leadership in the Indian Army: Biographies of Twelve Soldiers. SAGE India. p. 140. ISBN 978-0761933229.
  20. "1962 war report: When Nehru stepped on the Dragon's tail". The Times of India. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  21. "Last salute to the lion of 1965". 19 December 2003. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  22. "1971 operations - Case West - I". Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  23. "COAS pays Tribute to Former COAS Gen Om Prakash Malhotra". 31 December 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  24. "Examples of Learning in Counter-Insurgency". Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  25. "Unforgiving take on past". 11 August 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  26. "PIB Release" (PDF). 27 October 1987. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  27. "Souvenir 1995" (PDF). Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  28. "COVER STORY: DECORATED DUO". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  29. "About Us". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  30. "Golden jubilee of Vajra Corps". 4 March 2000. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  31. "Lt Gen Shantonu Choudhry appointed Vice Chief of Army Staff". 14 December 2002. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  32. "Vajra Corps celebrates Raising Day". 1 March 2003. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  33. "Pattabhiraman takes over as GOC-in-C, Western Command". 3 February 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  34. 34.0 34.1 "Lieut-Gen Mandhata Singh is new GOC of Vajra Corps". 22 May 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  35. "Lt Gen Kumar takes over as GOC of Vajra Corps". 29 September 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  36. "Vajra Celebrations". 8 April 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  37. "Lt Gen VS Tonk takes command of Vajra Corps". 21 August 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  38. "K'taka man to head military training". 17 August 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  39. "Lt.Gen. Sibal to head Vajra Corps". 18 August 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  40. "Appointment". 17 August 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  41. "BriefLt Gen Madhok takes over Vajra Corps Command". The Times of India. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  42. "Lieutant general AK Bakshi assumes command of Vajra Corps". 13 March 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  43. "Lt Gen Hira to take over as new Northern Command Chief of Staff today". 1 August 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  44. "LT GEN JS CHEEMA, PVSM, AVSM (RETD)". Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  45. "Deadlock over Army postings: GOC 11 Corps appointed officiating Western Army Commander". 29 January 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  46. "Lt Gen BS Sahrawat takes over as commanding officer of Vajra Corps". Chandigarh. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  47. "Vajra Corps GOC". 3 November 2017.
  48. "Lt Gen Arvind Dutta takes over command of Vajra Corps". Jalandhar. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  49. "Lt Gen sharma is Goc vajra corps". Jalandhar. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  50. Service, Tribune News. "Lt Gen C Bansi Ponnappa is new GOC Vajra Corps". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  51. "Lieut Gen Devendra Sharma is new Vajra Corps commander". 12 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.