Indian Army Reorganizes Forces in IIOJK, Facing Neighbours

Amid escalating tensions with China and Pakistan, the Indian Army is reshaping its operational structure in eastern Ladakh, signaling a strategic military shift without increasing manpower.

In response to continuing border challenges from China and Pakistan, the Indian Army has finalized the formation of a new combat unit — the 72 Infantry Division — in eastern Ladakh. This realignment is part of an ongoing strategy to strengthen India’s defense posture along critical border zones.

Notably, the creation of the 72 Infantry Division will not involve additional recruitment. Instead, it will rely on a reallocation of existing resources and brigades already stationed in Ladakh. The war-fighting elements that will form the core of this division have now been determined.

The 72 Division is being carved out of forces that were deployed in Ladakh following the military standoff with China in April 2020. Back then, several units, including the 6 Mountain Brigade from Bareilly and assets from the Mathura-based 1 Strike Corps, were sent to reinforce the region. These included armored formations, infantry combat vehicles, and troop reinforcements, all of which will now be restructured under the new division.

Typically, an Indian Army division consists of around 15,000 personnel and includes significant equipment such as tanks, artillery, and infantry support. Each division is commanded by an officer of Major General rank and comprises three to four brigades, each led by a Brigadier.

The newly constituted 72 Infantry Division will operate under the Leh-based 14 Corps, which has a dual responsibility of guarding both the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.

The 14 Corps plays a pivotal role in India’s defense structure in the northern sector. Its jurisdiction includes the 832-kilometer LAC in eastern Ladakh, the volatile Drass-Kargil-Batalik stretch along the LoC, and the strategically sensitive Siachen Glacier.

Until now, the 14 Corps consisted of two major divisions: the 3rd Infantry Division, which is focused on the LAC, and the 8th Mountain Division, which handles operations along the LoC. With the addition of the 72 Infantry Division, the Indian Army is set to improve its ability to swiftly respond to threats across both these critical zones.