Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, handed over command of the Kashmir based 15 Corps (Chinar Corps) to Lieutenant General BSRaju on Saturday. The over year-long tenure of Gen Dhillon, who has vast professional experience in counter-terrorist operations, witnessed a large number of landmark events like abrogation of Article 370 and Pulwama IED incident. He can be credited for conceptualizing, initiating andre-establishing the much needed Army-civil synergy with renewed vigour and pragmatism. An official statement said that his constant focus on operationalpreparedness and developmental initiative saw the un ravelling of JeM network and elimination of the perpetrators of the Pulwama incident in less than 100 hoursof the attack along with neutralization of a number of terrorist leaders.

Swift and robust punitive response of the ceasefireviolations and targeting of terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LC),contributed significantly in maintaining peace in the Valley, especially postAugust 5 last year, the statement read. "Engagement with Awaam especiallythe youth remained a key focus area for Gen Dhillon.

Well being of the Awaam was always close to his heart. Hegave impetus under the "Taleem Se Taraqqi" (Development throughEducation) initiative to improve the education infrastructure, coachingfacilities, skill development, sports, youth and women empowerment. Super-50(Engineering) and Super-30 (Medical), have yielded spectacular results, andhave been very effective in transforming many industrious aspirants," itsaid. The General's outreach to engage the mothers via "OperationMAA" resulted in the 'return' of many youths to their families afterabandoning terrorism. He reached out to the civil population in far-flungareas, referring to them as 'Humsayas': the extended family and launched'Khariyat' patrols to extend humanitarian assistance to people in remotemountainous regions. In his farewell message, Dhillon complimented all ranks ofChinar Corps for their dedication and thanked JKP, CAPFs, Civil Administrationand the Awaam for their support and conveyed his greetings and best wishes tothe Awaam of Kashmir and the entire Chinar Corps fraternity.