Bengal: Change of guard in Brahmastra Corps; Lt Gen S S Kartikeya takes charge
Kolkata, Aug 31 (IANS) Lt Gen S S Kartikeya took charge as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s elite XVII Corps (Brahmastra Corps) on Monday, August 31, 2026. He succeeded Lt Gen Yash Ahlawat.
A highly experienced officer with an illustrious career in the Army, Lt Gen Kartikeya earlier served as GOC of the Red Shield Division (57 Mountain Division), based at Leimakhong in Manipur.
The Brahmastra Corps is India’s first Mountain Strike Corps, raised primarily for operations along the country’s northern border, particularly in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. It is headquartered in Panagarh, West Bengal.
The Corps’ troops are trained in high-altitude warfare and primed to reach the Line of Actual Control (LAC) within an hour, using the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) strategic C-130J aircraft based at Air Force Station Arjan Singh in Panagarh.
The Brahmastra Corps has two Infantry Brigades and an Artillery Brigade armed with M777 ultra-light howitzers. It is also home to two Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) and a Rudra Brigade, sources say.
The XVII Corps has been the testbed for the Army’s IBG plan. An IBG, led by a Major General-rank officer, comprises around 5,000 troops from the infantry and engineers, with independent support from artillery and the Army’s aviation units that can provide air cover. Troops in the IBGs are also trained to operate armed and unarmed UAVs.
Lt Gen Kartikeya takes over as IBG structures are being streamlined for more effective combat roles. An official said regular exercises are being held to create self-sustained groups capable of handling all aspects in case of an enemy strike. Two editions of Ex Him Vijay have already been conducted, providing important inputs for further improvement.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Command congratulated Lt Gen Kartikeya on assuming the role. In a post on X, it said: “Lt Gen Yash Ahlawat handed over the command of the Brahmastra Corps to Lt Gen S S Kartikeya, a highly experienced officer with an illustrious career in the Indian Army. He exhorted all ranks of Brahmastra Corps to continue relentless efforts towards enhancing operational effectiveness and combat readiness of the Corps, while maintaining the traditions and ethos of the Indian Army.”
It added: “Lt Gen VMB Krishnan, Army Commander, Eastern Command, congratulated Lt Gen S S Kartikeya for assuming command of the Brahmastra Corps and complimented Lt Gen Yash Ahlawat for his exemplary contributions.”
–IANS
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