The Indian government has announced the establishment of a new Army division in Eastern Ladakh aimed at bolstering defense preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. This new formation, designated the 72 Infantry Division, will be headquartered in Eastern Ladakh and will operate under the command of the Leh-based 14 Corps.
Official sources have revealed that the war-fighting structure for the new division has already been finalized. This division will oversee a vast operational area that includes the 832 km LAC with China, the Line of Control (LoC) in the Drass-Kargil-Batalik sector, and the strategically vital Siachen Glacier.
Interestingly, the formation of the new division will not necessitate fresh recruitment. Instead, it will consolidate and re-task existing Army brigades. It is set to incorporate units that were relocated to the region during the April 2020 standoff with China, including the 6 Mountain Brigade from Bareilly, along with components from the Mathura-based 1 Strike Corps.
To support the new 72 Infantry Division, the Army is also expected to reorganize existing formations from the 8 Mountain Division and the 3 Infantry Division. These strategic adjustments aim to enhance the Indian Army’s capability to respond rapidly to any escalations along the northern borders.
The 72 Infantry Division was initially sanctioned in 2017 as part of the proposed 17 Mountain Strike Corps, which is based in Pathankot. Its relocation to Ladakh highlights a significant strategic shift in India’s military posture in light of the ongoing border tensions with China. This move is expected to play a critical role in fortifying India’s defense strategy in the region amidst a complex security environment.
