Handpicked GOC of Leh Corps asked to quit

The Army spokesman confirmed this evening that Lt Gen Maseeh had resigned. “The reason he has cited is that his wife has been keeping unwell and has also attached certain documents to buttress his point,” the spokesman said. Army headquarters had been seeking legal opinion on whether it can ask the General to put in his papers.

The 14 Corps is extremely sensitive since it overlooks the entire area of operation where the Pakistani troops intruded in May 1999. At that time it was felt that if a senior officer was posted at Leh itself, decision-making could be faster and dependence on the Srinagar-based 15 Corps would lessen. “Also an important factor was the 15 Corps’ involvement in counter-insurgency operations. In such circumstances, the 15 Corps commander (a Lieutenant General) could not devote ample time and attention to areas east of Zoji la,” sources said.

An officer of 1963 seniority, Lt Gen Maseeh had been specially selected to command the Leh Corps because of its sensitive nature not only along the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in Siachen and Kargil but also because of the Line of Actual Control with China.

Lt Gen Maseeh himself was unavailable for comment. “He has proceeded on leave,” sources said. “Efforts are being made to find his successor,” said an official. That becomes extremely crucial at this stage since the top echelon of the area will be new. Major General V S Budhwar, the Leh Division Commander, has also been posted to Jodhpur. “His successor (Major General S Thaplial) will take over in the third week of April. He too will be new to the job,” the official added.