Militancy in Kashmir The Untold Saga of Counter Insurgency Operations

Lieutenant General Avinash Chander Soneja, AVSM and bar and VSM and bar was commissioned in 3 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles of Indian Army on 22 December 1972. In his over 39 years of military service Lt. Gen Avinash Soneja held numerous Regimental, staff and instructional appointments. He attended all important Courses of Instructions including the Defence Services Staff College course in Wellington and the prestigious Higher Command course in Army War College at Mhow. He holds a Master`s Degree in Defence Studies, M.Phil in International Relations and a MBA degree in HR. He has seen active service in Manipur and repeatedly in J&K in the past twenty five years.

He took over 2 JAK RIF on 15 January 1993 and commanded the unit till 22 June 1995. This was the peak period of militancy in the J&K valley. During this period the Battalion carried out 581 operations against the terrorists. 192 of them were successful, resulting in recovery of 247 weapons and neutralizing 358 militants. The unit was awarded 86 Gallantry and distinguished awards during this tenure. It was also awarded a Citation by the COAS and another by the GOC in C Northern Command. During the same period the unit received eight complimentary messages from COAS and nine from the GOC in C. This was by far one of the best performances by any unit in the past 25 years of anti-militancy operations in J&K.

General Soneja has had the unique experience of having been a Company Commander in Manipur and J&K, Second in Command of two Battalions, Commanding officer, Sub Area Commander at Udhampur and General officer Commanding Counter Insurgency Force Rajouri. He has also been Head of Military Police and Director General Operational Logistics and Strategic Movements at the Army Headquarters. He spearheaded the implementation of the RTI ACT 2005 in the army by becoming the FIRST Appellate Authority for the Army Headquarters in 2007. He has also been the Colonel of the Regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts.