Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey handed over the command of the strategic Kashmir-based 15 Corps to Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla at HQ 15 Corps in Srinagar on Monday.
Commissioned in the Army on December 19, 1987, Lt Gen Aujla had three earlier postings in Kashmir, including as the Brigadier General (Operations) from 2016 to 2018 when the valley was reeling under a spate of separatist-sponsored protests following the death of Burhan Wani, a poster boy of banned Hizbul Mujahideen terror group.
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Having awarded with Yudh Sewa Medal, Sena Medal, and Vashisht Sewa Medal, he has served as Company Commander (between 1994-2004 ) in Kashmir Valley, commanded the prestigious Infantry Brigade (2013-15 ) and Infantry Division (2019-2020 ) along the Line of Control in north Kashmir.
As per a Srinagar-based Defence PRO, Lt Gen Pandey, in his farewell message, complimented all ranks of Chinar Corps for their dedication and hard work. “He appreciated JKP, CAPFs, Civil administration and the community members for their relentless support in the joint effort towards peace and prosperity in J&K. He conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the citizens of Kashmir and the entire Chinar Corps fraternity, ” the PRO Defence said.
He said that Lt Gen Pandey commanded the Corps “in a critical phase of 2021, wherein Kashmir was confronted with the twin challenges of terrorism and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic”.
“Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey’s contribution to peace and stability in Kashmir was recognised by the award of the prestigious ‘Uttam Yudh Seva Medal’ (UYSM) by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind on 26 Jan 2022,” added the PRO Defence.
