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{{ | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} | ||
{{short description|Military field formation of the Indian Army}} | |||
{{Infobox military unit | {{Infobox military unit | ||
| unit_name = XXXIII Corps | | unit_name = XXXIII Corps | ||
| image = File: | | image = File:Trishakti Corps, Indian Army.svg | ||
| caption = Formation | | image_size = 200px | ||
| dates = 1942-1945 | | caption = Formation Sign of XXXIII Corps | ||
| country = | | dates = 1942-1945<br/>1960 – present | ||
| allegiance = | | country = {{flag|India}} | ||
| branch = | | allegiance = | ||
| | | branch = {{army|India}} | ||
| role = | | role = Mountain (Holding) [[Corps]] | ||
| size = [[Corps]] | | size = [[Corps]] | ||
| command_structure = Army Eastern Command | | command_structure = [[File:Eastern Command, Indian Army.png|22px]] [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]] | ||
| garrison = [[Siliguri]] | | garrison = [[Siliguri]] | ||
| equipment = | | equipment = <!-- Commanders --> | ||
| current_commander = Lieutenant | | current_commander = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] Manraj Singh Mann<br/>{{small|[[Sena Medal|SM]][[Medal bar|**]]}} {{postnominals|country=IND}} | ||
| ceremonial_chief = | | ceremonial_chief = | ||
| colonel_of_the_regiment = | | colonel_of_the_regiment = | ||
| notable_commanders = [[General (India)|General]] [[Deepak Kapoor]] | | notable_commanders = [[General (India)|General]] [[Deepak Kapoor]]<br>[[General (India)|General]] [[Krishnaswamy Sundarji]]<br/>[[General (India)|General]] [[Jagjit Singh Aurora]]<br/>[[General (India)|General]] [[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]] <br/>[[Harbaksh Singh|Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh]] | ||
| identification_symbol = | | identification_symbol = | ||
| identification_symbol_2 = | | identification_symbol_2 = <!-- Culture and history --> | ||
| nickname = ''Trishakti Corps'' | | nickname = ''Trishakti Corps'' | ||
| patron = | | patron = | ||
| motto = | | motto = | ||
| colors = | | colors = | ||
| mascot = | | mascot = | ||
| battles = | | battles = | ||
| anniversaries = | | anniversaries = | ||
| decorations = | | decorations = | ||
| battle_honours = | | battle_honours = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Indian Army Corps | {{Military unit sidebar|title=Indian Army Corps (1915 - Present)|previous=[[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]|next='''None'''}} | ||
|previous=[[ | The '''XXXIII Corps,''' or the '''Trishakti Corps,''' is a [[corps]] of the [[Indian Army]]. It draws some of its heritage from the British Indian [[XXXIII Corps (British India)|XXXIII Corps]], which was formed in 1942 but disbanded in 1945. It was re-raised in 1960 at [[Shillong]].<ref name="Serving the nation for 46 years">{{cite web |title=Serving the nation for 46 years |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/serving-the-nation-for-46-years/cid/1077360 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
|next= | |||
}} | |||
'''XXXIII Corps''' is a [[corps]] of the [[Indian Army]]. It draws some of its heritage from the | |||
The corps is headquartered in Sukna in North Bengal and is commanded by a [[Three-star rank|Three Star]] officer of the rank of [[Lieutenant General]] titled [[General Officer Commanding]] (GOC). His [[Chief of staff (military)|chief of staff]] is a [[Two-star rank|Two Star]] officer of the rank of [[Major General]]. The total troop strength of the XXXIII corps is estimated to be between 45,000 and 60,000 soldiers. | The corps is headquartered in Sukna in [[Siliguri]], North Bengal and is commanded by a [[Three-star rank|Three Star]] officer of the rank of [[Lieutenant General]] titled [[General Officer Commanding]] (GOC). His [[Chief of staff (military)|chief of staff]] is a [[Two-star rank|Two Star]] officer of the rank of [[Major General (India)|Major General]]. The total troop strength of the XXXIII corps is estimated to be between 45,000 and 60,000 soldiers. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The XXXIII Corps Operating Signal Regiment was a part of [[Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)|XIV Army]] during [[World War II]]. The regiment moved to its present location along with the Corps HQ in 1962. It participated in the [[Indo-China war of 1962]] and captured some Chinese communication equipment. | The XXXIII Corps Operating Signal Regiment was a part of [[Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)|XIV Army]] during [[World War II]]. The regiment moved to its present location along with the Corps HQ in 1962. It participated in the [[Indo-China war of 1962]] and captured some Chinese communication equipment. This equipment is kept in the [[Indian Army Corps of Signals|Corps of Signals]] Museum at [[Jabalpur]] to enable future generations of soldiers to know about the bravery and dedication shown by their predecessors. | ||
==Re-Raising== | ==Re-Raising== | ||
The corps was re-raised by Lieutenant General Umrao Singh on 1 November 1960, | The corps was re-raised by [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]] Umrao Singh on 1 November 1960, to reduce [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]]' area of responsibility.<ref name="Serving the nation for 46 years"/> The Corps is headquartered in [[Sukna]] in [[North Bengal]], near the city of [[Siliguri]]. Its area of responsibility includes North Bengal, [[Sikkim]], and if needed, [[Bhutan]]. It comprises three mountain [[Division (military)|division]]s, 17th ([[Gangtok]]), 20th ([[Binnaguri]]), and 27th ([[Kalimpong]]).<ref>Kenneth Conboy, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, Osprey</ref> | ||
The coat of arms consists of a white horizontal band between two red bands (the standard formation sign background for corps in the [[Indian Army]]) with | The coat of arms consists of a white horizontal band between two red bands (the standard formation sign background for corps in the [[Indian Army]]) with a black trident and a black spear with black wings in the foreground. The Corps HQ has an [[Indian Air Force]] air control unit attached to it, 3 TAC, commanded by a [[Group Captain]]. The corps also has an organic Army Aviation Helicopter Squadron based at [[Sevoke]] flying the [[HAL Chetak]]. It is commanded by a [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]. The Indian Air Force bases at [[Bagdogra]] ([[Siliguri]]) and [[Hashimara]] are the air units co-tasked to the XXXIII Corps [[Area of Responsibility]]. | ||
==ORBAT== | ==ORBAT== | ||
It currently consists of: | It currently consists of: | ||
*[[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Mountain Division]] (Blackcat Division | *[[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Mountain Division]] (Blackcat Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/17-div.htm|title=17 Mountain Division / Black Cat Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>) headquartered at [[Gangtok]]. | ||
**It was raised in 1959 and converted to a mountain division in 1963. | **It was raised in 1959 and converted to a mountain division in 1963. | ||
**It is assigned to the Sikkim sector. | **It is assigned to the [[Sikkim]] sector.<ref name=Conboy8>Conboy et al, p.8</ref> | ||
*[[20th Infantry Division (India)|20th Mountain Division]] (Kirpan Division | *[[20th Infantry Division (India)|20th Mountain Division]] (Kirpan Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/20-div.htm|title=20 Infantry Division / Kirpan Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>) headquartered at [[Binnaguri]]. | ||
**It was raised in 1963 and assigned to the Sikkim sector. | **It was raised in 1963 and assigned to the [[Sikkim]] sector.<ref name=Conboy8 /> | ||
**Composed of | **Composed of the 66th, 165th, and 202nd Mountain Brigades in 1971. | ||
*[[27th Infantry Division (India)|27th Mountain Division]] (Striking Lion Division | *[[27th Infantry Division (India)|27th Mountain Division]] (Striking Lion Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/27-div.htm|title=27 Mountain Division / Striking Lion Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>) headquartered at [[Kalimpong]]. | ||
**It was converted to a mountain division in 1963. | **It was converted to a mountain division in 1963.<ref name=Conboy8 /> | ||
*Artillery | *Division [[Artillery Brigade]] | ||
*[[MR-SAM]] ([[Abhra]]) Regiment (raised in February 2023)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-16 |title=Defence ministry inks Rs 2,960 crore deal for additional MR-SAM missiles for warships |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/defence-ministry-inks-rs-2960-crore-deal-for-additional-mr-sam-missiles-for-warships/articleshow/117301778.cms |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> | |||
==Indo-Pakistani War of 1971== | ==Indo-Pakistani War of 1971== | ||
The corps handled the sensitive Indo-Tibetan border and was responsible for the defence of the [[McMahon Line]]. The corps under Lieutenant General Mohan L. Thapan controlled | The corps handled the sensitive Indo-Tibetan border and was responsible for the defence of the [[McMahon Line]]. The corps under [[Lieutenant General]] Mohan L. Thapan controlled the 6th and 20th Mountain Divisions and the 71st Mountain [[Brigade]]. While fighting the war in the south, however, the corps also had to look north and retained command of the 17th and 27th Mountain Divisions on the Tibetan frontier. Furthermore, Thapan could not commit the 6th Mountain Division without permission from [[New Delhi]], as it was to be held ready to move to the Bhutanese border in case [[China]] intervened in the war. | ||
As elsewhere along the border, Indian forces in support of the Mukti Bahini made significant | As elsewhere along the border, Indian forces in support of the [[Mukti Bahini]] made significant inroads into [[East Pakistan]] before 3 December. Most notable was [[Brigadier]] Pran Nath Kathpalia’s 71st Mountain Brigade, which had pushed to the outskirts of [[Thakurgaon, Bangladesh|Thakurgaon]] by the eve of war. Efforts to capture the heavily fortified border village of [[Battle of Hilli|Hilli]], however, failed repeatedly in a struggle that raged off and on from 24 November to 11 December. Resolutely defended by Pakistani [[Frontier Force Regiment|4 Frontier Force]], [[Battle of Hilli|Hilli]] blocked the proposed advance of the 20th Division across the narrow "waist" of this sector. | ||
After heavy losses in front of Hilli, the | After heavy losses in front of [[Battle of Hilli|Hilli]], the 20th Division solved this problem by swinging around to the north and unleashing the 340th Brigade under [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]] [[Joginder Singh Bakshi]]. Bakshi moved swiftly to control the main north-south road, unhinging the defence of [[Battle of Hilli|Hilli]], splitting the Pakistani 16th Division, and opening the way to [[Bogra]], which town he effectively controlled by war’s end. The Pakistani division, despite continued resistance by isolated units, had ceased to exist as a coherent combat formation. Indicative of the chaotic situation, [[General]] Shah and the commander of the 205th Brigade, [[Brigadier]] Tajammul Hussain Malik, were almost captured when Indian forces ambushed their convoy on 7 December. On the other hand, a last-minute Indian move north by the 66th and 202nd Brigades to capture [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]] proved unsuccessful. | ||
In secondary actions, | In secondary actions, the 9th Mountain Brigade secured most of the area north of the [[Tista River]] and an ad hoc command of [[India|Indian]] [[Border Security Force|BSF]] and [[Mukti Bahini]] under [[Brigadier]] [[Prem Singh (general)|Prem Singh]] pushed out of [[Malda, West Bengal|Malda]] to capture [[Chapai Nawabganj|Nawabganj]] in the extreme southeastern corner of the sector. Despite Bakshi’s performance and the generally successful advance of 71st Brigade, much of XXXIII Corps’ offensive power was allowed to lie idle far too long and Pakistani troops still held the major towns of the sector ([[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]], [[Saidpur, Bangladesh|Saidpur]], [[Dinajpur]], Nator, [[Rajshahi]]) when the [[cease-fire]] was announced. Likewise, the [[cease-fire]] intervened before the Indians could implement a hastily conceived plan to transfer the 340th Brigade, a tank squadron, and an artillery battery across the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna]] via the Phulchari ferry to take part in the advance on [[Dacca]]. Except for this squadron, all the armour was preparing to transfer to the west by the end of the war. | ||
==General Officers Commanding== | ==General Officers Commanding== | ||
{{Expand list|date=June 2021}} | {{Expand list|date=June 2021}} | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
!Rank | !Rank | ||
!Name | !Name | ||
!Appointment Date | !Appointment Date | ||
!Left | !Left office | ||
!Unit of Commission | !Unit of Commission | ||
!References | !References | ||
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan= | |rowspan=37|[[Lieutenant General]] | ||
|Umrao Singh | |Umrao Singh | ||
|1 November 1960 | |1 November 1960 | ||
|28 October 1962 | |28 October 1962 | ||
|[[Rajputana Rifles]] | |[[Rajputana Rifles]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/dhola-post-that-triggered-war-was-on-china-s-side-of-mcmahon-line-114032200030_1.html|title=Dhola Post that triggered war was on China's side of McMahon Line|date=2014-03-22|access-date=2021-07-01}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Harbaksh Singh]] | |[[Harbaksh Singh]] | ||
| Line 90: | Line 88: | ||
|29 October 1964 | |29 October 1964 | ||
|[[Sikh Regiment]] | |[[Sikh Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/nov/16josy.htm|title=Lt General Harbaksh Singh: An officer and a gentleman|date=1999-11-06|access-date=2021-06-29}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]] | |[[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]] | ||
| Line 114: | Line 112: | ||
|July 1974 | |July 1974 | ||
|[[Rajputana Rifles]] | |[[Rajputana Rifles]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1974-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1974-07-20_175.pdf|title=Lt Gen Rai takes over Northern Command|date=1974-07-23|access-date=2021-06-29}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[WAG Pinto]] | |[[WAG Pinto]] | ||
| Line 120: | Line 118: | ||
|1978 | |1978 | ||
|[[13th Frontier Force Rifles]] | |[[13th Frontier Force Rifles]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1982-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1982-06-30_270.pdf|title=PIB release|date=1920-06-30|access-date=2021-06-30}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Krishnaswamy Sundarji]] | |[[Krishnaswamy Sundarji]] | ||
| Line 137: | Line 135: | ||
|27 December 1981 | |27 December 1981 | ||
|11 December 1983 | |11 December 1983 | ||
| | |[[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]] | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 144: | Line 142: | ||
| | | | ||
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]] | |[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1987-JULY-DEC-DEFENCE-/PDF/DEF-1987-08-31_075.pdf|title=Lt Gen JK Puri Vice Chief Of The Army Staff Retires|date=1987-08-31|access-date=2021-06-30}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|M R Sharma | |M R Sharma | ||
| Line 156: | Line 154: | ||
|April 1994 | |April 1994 | ||
|[[16th Light Cavalry]] | |[[16th Light Cavalry]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/lt-gen-gautama-passes-away-8293539/|title=Ex-Western Army Commander Lt Gen Gautama passes away|date=2022-11-28|access-date=2022-12-22}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|A B Masih | |A B Masih | ||
| Line 162: | Line 160: | ||
| | | | ||
|[[Kumaon Regiment]] | |[[Kumaon Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/11army.htm|title=General quits under cloud|date=2000-04-11|access-date=2021-06-29}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|H R S Mann | |H R S Mann | ||
| Line 168: | Line 166: | ||
|19 November 2000 | |19 November 2000 | ||
|[[Brigade of the Guards]] | |[[Brigade of the Guards]] | ||
| | |<ref name="twitter.com">{{cite web |last1=shabana |first1=syeda |title=LIEUTENANT GENERAL CP MOHANTY TAKES OVER AS GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING TRISHAKTI CORPSpic.twitter.com/YykDEduFh0 |url=https://twitter.com/shabana3637/status/1035175852923707397/photo/1 |website=@shabana3637 |language=en |date=30 August 2018}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Ashok Chaki | |Ashok Chaki | ||
|20 November 2000 | |20 November 2000 | ||
|19 August 2002 | |19 August 2002 | ||
|[[4th | |[[4th Gorkha Rifles]] | ||
| | |<ref name="twitter.com"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Avtar Singh | |Avtar Singh | ||
| Line 180: | Line 178: | ||
|20 February 2004 | |20 February 2004 | ||
|[[Jat Regiment]] | |[[Jat Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref name="twitter.com"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Deepak Kapoor]] | |[[Deepak Kapoor]] | ||
| Line 186: | Line 184: | ||
|14 April 2005 | |14 April 2005 | ||
|[[Regiment of Artillery]] | |[[Regiment of Artillery]] | ||
| | |<ref name="twitter.com"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Thomas Mathew | |Thomas Mathew | ||
| Line 192: | Line 190: | ||
|25 August 2006 | |25 August 2006 | ||
|[[Rajput Regiment]] | |[[Rajput Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref name="twitter.com"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | CKS Sabu | ||
|26 August 2006 | |26 August 2006 | ||
|25 September 2007 | |25 September 2007 | ||
|[[Regiment of Artillery]] | |[[Regiment of Artillery]] | ||
| | |<ref name="twitter.com"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Deepak Raj | |Deepak Raj | ||
| Line 204: | Line 202: | ||
|31 August 2008 | |31 August 2008 | ||
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment]] | |[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior">{{cite web |title=West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior military officials of Chinese People's Liberation Army, led by Lt Gen Liu Xiaowu Dy Commander of Western Theatre Command arrived at Sukna y'day on a 2-day visit to Trishakti Corps. The visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.pic.twitter.com/yRIoWAaKDT |url=https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1014460140689469440/photo/1 |website=@ANI |language=en |date=4 July 2018}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Prashant Kumar Rath | |Prashant Kumar Rath | ||
| Line 210: | Line 208: | ||
|25 November 2009 | |25 November 2009 | ||
|[[Regiment of Artillery]] | |[[Regiment of Artillery]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|D S Sidhu | |D S Sidhu | ||
|26 November 2009 | |26 November 2009 | ||
|2 November 2010 | |2 November 2010 | ||
|[[Poona Horse]] | |[[Poona Horse|17th Horse (Poona Horse)]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Vinod Bhatia | |Vinod Bhatia | ||
| Line 222: | Line 220: | ||
|24 November 2011 | |24 November 2011 | ||
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] | |[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Kotheneth Surendranath | |Kotheneth Surendranath | ||
| Line 228: | Line 226: | ||
|31 January 2013 | |31 January 2013 | ||
|[[71st Armoured Regiment (India)|71 Armoured Regiment]] | |[[71st Armoured Regiment (India)|71 Armoured Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Kamal Jit Singh]] | |[[Kamal Jit Singh]] | ||
| Line 234: | Line 232: | ||
|11 May 2014 | |11 May 2014 | ||
|[[63rd Cavalry (India)|63rd Cavalry]] | |[[63rd Cavalry (India)|63rd Cavalry]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|G S Chandel | |G S Chandel | ||
| Line 240: | Line 238: | ||
|25 July 2015 | |25 July 2015 | ||
|[[Bihar Regiment]] | |[[Bihar Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Surinder Singh (general)|Surinder Singh]] | |[[Surinder Singh (general)|Surinder Singh]] | ||
|26 July 2015 | |26 July 2015 | ||
|26 August 2016 | |26 August 2016 | ||
||[[ | ||[[Brigade of the Guards]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Gen Surinder Singh to be army’s Western Command chief |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/lt-gen-surinder-singh-to-be-army-s-western-command-chief/story-MxZ6wYzQEwT3hmy3uRhw2O.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |date=9 August 2016}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Sanjay Kumar Jha | |Sanjay Kumar Jha | ||
| Line 252: | Line 250: | ||
|27 August 2017 | |27 August 2017 | ||
|[[Sikh Regiment|The Sikh Regiment]] | |[[Sikh Regiment|The Sikh Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web |title=Army issues posting orders for four corps commanders |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-issues-posting-orders-for-four-corps-commanders-4749549/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en |date=14 July 2017}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Pradeep M Bali | |Pradeep M Bali | ||
| Line 258: | Line 256: | ||
|29 August 2018 | |29 August 2018 | ||
|[[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] | |[[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gurung |first1=Shaurya Karanbir |title=Chinese Army delegation arrives in India to improve coordination along border |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/chinese-army-delegation-arrives-in-india-to-improve-coordination-along-border/articleshow/64845285.cms?from=mdr |website=The Economic Times}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] | |[[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]] | ||
| Line 264: | Line 262: | ||
|13 September 2019 | |13 September 2019 | ||
|[[Rajput Regiment]] | |[[Rajput Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-cp-mohanty-takes-charge-of-sukna-based-trishakti-corps-of-indian-army/states/news/1335384.html|title=Army to debut its Mountain Strike Corps next month, at HimVijay exercise in Arunachal|date=2018-08-30|access-date=2020-12-20|website=www.uniindia.com|language=en}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Nav Kumar Khanduri]] | |[[Nav Kumar Khanduri]] | ||
| Line 270: | Line 268: | ||
|13 September 2020 | |13 September 2020 | ||
|[[Corps of Army Air Defence]] | |[[Corps of Army Air Defence]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-nav-k-khanduri-assumes-charge-as-commander-of-trishakti-corps20190913201530/|title=Lt. Gen Nav K Khanduri assumes charge as commander of Trishakti Corps|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921062422/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lt-gen-nav-k-khanduri-assumes-charge-as-commander-of-trishakti-corps20190913201530/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Ajai Kumar Singh]] | |[[Ajai Kumar Singh]] | ||
| Line 276: | Line 274: | ||
|21 October 2021 | |21 October 2021 | ||
|[[11th Gorkha Rifles]] | |[[11th Gorkha Rifles]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/lieutenant-general-ajay-kumar-singh-calls-on-sikkim-chief-minister-ps-tamang/east/news/2259872.html|title=Lt Gen AK Singh calls on Sikkim CM|date=2020-12-10|access-date=2021-07-01}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Tarun Kumar Aich | |[[Tarun Kumar Aich]] | ||
|22 October 2021 | |22 October 2021 | ||
|31 October 2022 | |31 October 2022 | ||
| | |[[Madras Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web |last1=aich |first1=tarun kumar |title=Tarun Kumar Aich takes over 33 corps |url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1451344412353699843}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=regiment |first1=madras |title=16 Madras Regiment |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/features/lt-gen-tarun-kumar-aich-takes-dg-ncc-1502944474.html}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|VPS Kaushik | |VPS Kaushik | ||
| | |1 November 2022 | ||
| | |9 June 2024 | ||
|[[Kumaon Regiment]] | |[[Kumaon Regiment]] | ||
| | |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1587367780675895296|title=Lt Gen VPS Kaushik took over as General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps from Lt Gen TK Aich|date=2022-11-01|access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref> | ||
|- | |||
|Zubin A Minwalla | |||
|10 June 2024 | |||
|30 September 2025 | |||
|[[9th Gorkha Rifles]] | |||
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://x.com/adgpi/status/1800150365213687980|title=Lt Gen Zubin Minwalla took over as General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps from Lt Gen VPS Kaushik|date=2024-06-10|access-date=2024-06-11}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|Man Raj Singh Mann | |||
|1 October 2025 | |||
|''Incumbent'' | |||
|[[1 Gorkha Rifles]] | |||
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mann |first1=Man Raj Singh |title=Lt gen Man Raj Singh Mann |url=https://shop.ssbcrack.com/blogs/blog/lieutenant-general-man-raj-singh-mann-takes-charge-of-trishakti-corps-leadership#:~:text=Lt%20Gen%20Man%20Raj%20Singh,both%20peacetime%20and%20conflict%20scenarios. |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> | |||
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 11:03, 17 March 2026
| XXXIII Corps | |
|---|---|
 Formation Sign of XXXIII Corps | |
| Active | 1942-1945<br/>1960 – present |
| Country |  India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Role | Mountain (Holding) Corps |
| Size | Corps |
| Part of |  Eastern Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Siliguri |
| Nickname(s) | Trishakti Corps |
| Equipment | <!-- Commanders --> |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Gen Manraj Singh Mann<br/>SM** |
| Notable commanders | General Deepak Kapoor<br>General Krishnaswamy Sundarji<br/>General Jagjit Singh Aurora<br/>General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor <br/>Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | <!-- Culture and history --> |
Template:Military unit sidebar The XXXIII Corps, or the Trishakti Corps, is a corps of the Indian Army. It draws some of its heritage from the British Indian XXXIII Corps, which was formed in 1942 but disbanded in 1945. It was re-raised in 1960 at Shillong.<ref name="Serving the nation for 46 years">"Serving the nation for 46 years". www.telegraphindia.com.</ref>
The corps is headquartered in Sukna in Siliguri, North Bengal and is commanded by a Three Star officer of the rank of Lieutenant General titled General Officer Commanding (GOC). His chief of staff is a Two Star officer of the rank of Major General. The total troop strength of the XXXIII corps is estimated to be between 45,000 and 60,000 soldiers.
History
The XXXIII Corps Operating Signal Regiment was a part of XIV Army during World War II. The regiment moved to its present location along with the Corps HQ in 1962. It participated in the Indo-China war of 1962 and captured some Chinese communication equipment. This equipment is kept in the Corps of Signals Museum at Jabalpur to enable future generations of soldiers to know about the bravery and dedication shown by their predecessors.
Re-Raising
The corps was re-raised by Lieutenant General Umrao Singh on 1 November 1960, to reduce IV Corps' area of responsibility.<ref name="Serving the nation for 46 years"/> The Corps is headquartered in Sukna in North Bengal, near the city of Siliguri. Its area of responsibility includes North Bengal, Sikkim, and if needed, Bhutan. It comprises three mountain divisions, 17th (Gangtok), 20th (Binnaguri), and 27th (Kalimpong).<ref>Kenneth Conboy, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, Osprey</ref>
The coat of arms consists of a white horizontal band between two red bands (the standard formation sign background for corps in the Indian Army) with a black trident and a black spear with black wings in the foreground. The Corps HQ has an Indian Air Force air control unit attached to it, 3 TAC, commanded by a Group Captain. The corps also has an organic Army Aviation Helicopter Squadron based at Sevoke flying the HAL Chetak. It is commanded by a Colonel. The Indian Air Force bases at Bagdogra (Siliguri) and Hashimara are the air units co-tasked to the XXXIII Corps Area of Responsibility.
ORBAT
It currently consists of:
- 17th Mountain Division (Blackcat Division<ref>Pike, John. "17 Mountain Division / Black Cat Division". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 14 May 2017.</ref>) headquartered at Gangtok.
- It was raised in 1959 and converted to a mountain division in 1963.
- It is assigned to the Sikkim sector.<ref name=Conboy8>Conboy et al, p.8</ref>
- 20th Mountain Division (Kirpan Division<ref>Pike, John. "20 Infantry Division / Kirpan Division". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 14 May 2017.</ref>) headquartered at Binnaguri.
- It was raised in 1963 and assigned to the Sikkim sector.<ref name=Conboy8 />
- Composed of the 66th, 165th, and 202nd Mountain Brigades in 1971.
- 27th Mountain Division (Striking Lion Division<ref>Pike, John. "27 Mountain Division / Striking Lion Division". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 14 May 2017.</ref>) headquartered at Kalimpong.
- It was converted to a mountain division in 1963.<ref name=Conboy8 />
- Division Artillery Brigade
- MR-SAM (Abhra) Regiment (raised in February 2023)<ref>"Defence ministry inks Rs 2,960 crore deal for additional MR-SAM missiles for warships". The Times of India. 16 January 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 January 2025.</ref>
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The corps handled the sensitive Indo-Tibetan border and was responsible for the defence of the McMahon Line. The corps under Lieutenant General Mohan L. Thapan controlled the 6th and 20th Mountain Divisions and the 71st Mountain Brigade. While fighting the war in the south, however, the corps also had to look north and retained command of the 17th and 27th Mountain Divisions on the Tibetan frontier. Furthermore, Thapan could not commit the 6th Mountain Division without permission from New Delhi, as it was to be held ready to move to the Bhutanese border in case China intervened in the war.
As elsewhere along the border, Indian forces in support of the Mukti Bahini made significant inroads into East Pakistan before 3 December. Most notable was Brigadier Pran Nath Kathpalia’s 71st Mountain Brigade, which had pushed to the outskirts of Thakurgaon by the eve of war. Efforts to capture the heavily fortified border village of Hilli, however, failed repeatedly in a struggle that raged off and on from 24 November to 11 December. Resolutely defended by Pakistani 4 Frontier Force, Hilli blocked the proposed advance of the 20th Division across the narrow "waist" of this sector.
After heavy losses in front of Hilli, the 20th Division solved this problem by swinging around to the north and unleashing the 340th Brigade under Brigadier Joginder Singh Bakshi. Bakshi moved swiftly to control the main north-south road, unhinging the defence of Hilli, splitting the Pakistani 16th Division, and opening the way to Bogra, which town he effectively controlled by war’s end. The Pakistani division, despite continued resistance by isolated units, had ceased to exist as a coherent combat formation. Indicative of the chaotic situation, General Shah and the commander of the 205th Brigade, Brigadier Tajammul Hussain Malik, were almost captured when Indian forces ambushed their convoy on 7 December. On the other hand, a last-minute Indian move north by the 66th and 202nd Brigades to capture Rangpur proved unsuccessful.
In secondary actions, the 9th Mountain Brigade secured most of the area north of the Tista River and an ad hoc command of Indian BSF and Mukti Bahini under Brigadier Prem Singh pushed out of Malda to capture Nawabganj in the extreme southeastern corner of the sector. Despite Bakshi’s performance and the generally successful advance of 71st Brigade, much of XXXIII Corps’ offensive power was allowed to lie idle far too long and Pakistani troops still held the major towns of the sector (Rangpur, Saidpur, Dinajpur, Nator, Rajshahi) when the cease-fire was announced. Likewise, the cease-fire intervened before the Indians could implement a hastily conceived plan to transfer the 340th Brigade, a tank squadron, and an artillery battery across the Jamuna via the Phulchari ferry to take part in the advance on Dacca. Except for this squadron, all the armour was preparing to transfer to the west by the end of the war.
General Officers Commanding
| Rank | Name | Appointment Date | Left office | Unit of Commission | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant General | Umrao Singh | 1 November 1960 | 28 October 1962 | Rajputana Rifles | <ref>"Dhola Post that triggered war was on China's side of McMahon Line". 22 March 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2021.</ref> |
| Harbaksh Singh | 29 October 1962 | 29 October 1964 | Sikh Regiment | <ref>"Lt General Harbaksh Singh: An officer and a gentleman". 6 November 1999. Retrieved 29 June 2021.</ref> | |
| Gopal Gurunath Bewoor | 30 October 1964 | 26 April 1967 | 10th Baluch Regiment | ||
| Jagjit Singh Aurora | 27 April 1967 | March 1969 | Punjab Regiment | ||
| Mohan L Thapan | 1969 | May 1972 | Jat Regiment | ||
| H C Rai | June 1972 | July 1974 | Rajputana Rifles | <ref>"Lt Gen Rai takes over Northern Command" (PDF). 23 July 1974. Retrieved 29 June 2021.</ref> | |
| WAG Pinto | 1976 | 1978 | 13th Frontier Force Rifles | <ref>"PIB release" (PDF). 30 June 1920. Retrieved 30 June 2021.</ref> | |
| Krishnaswamy Sundarji | February 1979 | January 1980 | Mahar Regiment | ||
| Krishnaswami Balaram | January 1980 | 26 December 1981 | Corps of Signals | ||
| S S Brar | 27 December 1981 | 11 December 1983 | Armoured Corps | ||
| J K Puri | 12 December 1983 | Regiment of Artillery | <ref>"Lt Gen JK Puri Vice Chief Of The Army Staff Retires" (PDF). 31 August 1987. Retrieved 30 June 2021.</ref> | ||
| M R Sharma | Dogra Regiment | ||||
| Arun Kumar Gautama | July 1993 | April 1994 | 16th Light Cavalry | <ref>"Ex-Western Army Commander Lt Gen Gautama passes away". 28 November 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.</ref> | |
| A B Masih | Kumaon Regiment | <ref>"General quits under cloud". 11 April 2000. Retrieved 29 June 2021.</ref> | |||
| H R S Mann | 4 October 1999 | 19 November 2000 | Brigade of the Guards | <ref name="twitter.com">shabana, syeda (30 August 2018). "LIEUTENANT GENERAL CP MOHANTY TAKES OVER AS GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING TRISHAKTI CORPSpic.twitter.com/YykDEduFh0". @shabana3637.</ref> | |
| Ashok Chaki | 20 November 2000 | 19 August 2002 | 4th Gorkha Rifles | <ref name="twitter.com"/> | |
| Avtar Singh | 20 August 2002 | 20 February 2004 | Jat Regiment | <ref name="twitter.com"/> | |
| Deepak Kapoor | 21 February 2004 | 14 April 2005 | Regiment of Artillery | <ref name="twitter.com"/> | |
| Thomas Mathew | 15 April 2005 | 25 August 2006 | Rajput Regiment | <ref name="twitter.com"/> | |
| CKS Sabu | 26 August 2006 | 25 September 2007 | Regiment of Artillery | <ref name="twitter.com"/> | |
| Deepak Raj | 26 September 2007 | 31 August 2008 | Mechanised Infantry Regiment | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior">"West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior military officials of Chinese People's Liberation Army, led by Lt Gen Liu Xiaowu Dy Commander of Western Theatre Command arrived at Sukna y'day on a 2-day visit to Trishakti Corps. The visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.pic.twitter.com/yRIoWAaKDT". @ANI. 4 July 2018.</ref> | |
| Prashant Kumar Rath | 1 September 2008 | 25 November 2009 | Regiment of Artillery | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | |
| D S Sidhu | 26 November 2009 | 2 November 2010 | 17th Horse (Poona Horse) | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | |
| Vinod Bhatia | 3 November 2010 | 24 November 2011 | Parachute Regiment | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | |
| Kotheneth Surendranath | 25 November 2011 | 31 January 2013 | 71 Armoured Regiment | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | |
| Kamal Jit Singh | 1 February 2013 | 11 May 2014 | 63rd Cavalry | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | |
| G S Chandel | 12 May 2014 | 25 July 2015 | Bihar Regiment | <ref name="West Bengal: Delegation of 8 senior"/> | |
| Surinder Singh | 26 July 2015 | 26 August 2016 | Brigade of the Guards | <ref>"Lt Gen Surinder Singh to be army's Western Command chief". Hindustan Times. 9 August 2016.</ref> | |
| Sanjay Kumar Jha | 27 August 2016 | 27 August 2017 | The Sikh Regiment | <ref>"Army issues posting orders for four corps commanders". The Indian Express. 14 July 2017.</ref> | |
| Pradeep M Bali | 28 August 2017 | 29 August 2018 | Punjab Regiment | <ref>Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir. "Chinese Army delegation arrives in India to improve coordination along border". The Economic Times.</ref> | |
| Chandi Prasad Mohanty | 30 August 2018 | 13 September 2019 | Rajput Regiment | <ref>"Army to debut its Mountain Strike Corps next month, at HimVijay exercise in Arunachal". www.uniindia.com. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2020.</ref> | |
| Nav Kumar Khanduri | 13 September 2019 | 13 September 2020 | Corps of Army Air Defence | <ref>"Lt. Gen Nav K Khanduri assumes charge as commander of Trishakti Corps". www.aninews.in. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.</ref> | |
| Ajai Kumar Singh | 14 September 2020 | 21 October 2021 | 11th Gorkha Rifles | <ref>"Lt Gen AK Singh calls on Sikkim CM". 10 December 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.</ref> | |
| Tarun Kumar Aich | 22 October 2021 | 31 October 2022 | Madras Regiment | <ref>aich, tarun kumar. "Tarun Kumar Aich takes over 33 corps".</ref><ref>regiment, madras. "16 Madras Regiment".</ref> | |
| VPS Kaushik | 1 November 2022 | 9 June 2024 | Kumaon Regiment | <ref>"Lt Gen VPS Kaushik took over as General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps from Lt Gen TK Aich". 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.</ref> | |
| Zubin A Minwalla | 10 June 2024 | 30 September 2025 | 9th Gorkha Rifles | <ref>"Lt Gen Zubin Minwalla took over as General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps from Lt Gen VPS Kaushik". 10 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.</ref> | |
| Man Raj Singh Mann | 1 October 2025 | Incumbent | 1 Gorkha Rifles | <ref>Mann, Man Raj Singh. "Lt gen Man Raj Singh Mann". Retrieved 1 October 2025.</ref> |
References
Sources
- Jane's World Armies, Issue 19, 2006
- Globalsecurity.org
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