Kolkata: Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth visited the headquarters of the XXXIII Corps, also known as the Trishakti Corps, in Sukna, West Bengal. The Corps, under the Eastern Command, is responsible for security along the China border in Sikkim.
The COAS met with senior commanders and reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of the formations within the Corps.
The Army said in a statement that General Seth was briefed on operational deployments, evolving security dynamics and technological advancement initiatives undertaken with the aim to sharpen operational effectiveness and strengthen logistic capabilities.
The Army chief also interacted with personnel of the Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and lauded their steadfast commitment, professionalism and exemplary standards of operational readiness in some of the harshest terrain in the country.
The general officer also commended the seamless synergy amongst the forces and emphasised that jointness and military-civil fusion remain critical to effectively addressing the complexities of the evolving security environment.
The Corps comprises three Divisions that are based at different locations. While the 17th Mountain Division, or Blackcat Division, is based in Gangtok, Sikkim, the 20th Mountain Division, also known as the Kirpan Division, is stationed in Binnaguri, North Bengal.
The 27th Mountain Division, or Striking Lion Division, is based in Kalimpong in north Bengal.
The Trishakti Corps also has its artillery brigade and a Medium Range – Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM) regiment. It also has an Army Aviation helicopter squadron based at Sevoke.
The Corps must remain on operational alert at all times, given the strategic areas it is responsible for.
One of the most crucial areas is the trijunction between India, Bhutan and Tibet at Doklam. This is where a 73-day military stand-off between Indian and People’s Liberation Army troops took place in 2017.
The Trishakti Corps is also responsible for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations in the ecologically fragile state of Sikkim, which sees a steady flow of tourists year-round.
(IANS)
