,
Defence Minister to
Chinar Corps in 2020 Raju was commissioned in December 1984 in the 11th battalion, the
Jat Regiment (11 Jat). He later commanded 15th Battalion, the Jat Regiment (15 JAT). He has served as an Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and at the
Army War College, Mhow. In staff appointments, he has served as the
brigade major of an
infantry brigade and as the Colonel Military Secretary (Legal) at Army HQ. After being promoted to the rank of
brigadier, he was appointed commander of the Uri Brigade in August 2011. He commanded the brigade till 30 December 2012. He subsequently served as the Brigadier General Staff (BGS) at HQ
XVI Corps and as the Deputy Director General Military Operations (DDGMO) and Director General Staff Duties at Army HQ.
General officer The General Officer served as Commandant,
Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan prior to assuming command of XV Corps. He has an incisive understanding of Jammu and Kashmir, as he has served in Kashmir for five tenures since 1984.
Victor Force Commander Lt Gen B S Raju commanded the elite Counter Insurgency Force in troubled times from 28 March 2017 to 1 April 2018 post elimination of Burhan Wani, the poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen. It was during this period only that a blooming footballer Majid Khan who had treaded the path of terrorism was given opportunity to return to mainstream and he had surrendered. As a Force Commander he oversaw the successful operation in which the killers of Lt Umar Fayaz were eliminated in South Kashmir
XV Corps Commander He was the General Officer Commanding of the
XV Corps, or 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps Indian Army', a
Corps of the
Indian Army which is presently located in
Srinagar and responsible for military operations in the
Kashmir Valley.
Human Approach Operation While Commanding Counter Insurgency Force (Victor) in troubled time of 2017–2018, he built a reputation of a man giving respect to human values and had a deep sense of belonging with the locals. While taking over, he emphasised that
"The Army is a friend of every civilian and that message has been conveyed aptly by my predecessor. My every attempt would be to continue this practice".
Facilitate Return of Local Terrorist from Path of Terrorism Lt Gen B S Raju's key focus was to allow those who have picked up arms to surrender and join the mainstream. It has greatly helped the youth who have gone "astray" to come back & with recruitment fairly lowest in last decade has resulted in substantial reduction in number of terrorist operating in Kashmir. With people as the centre of gravity, all his efforts were being directed in that direction during his command of prestigious XV Corps of Indian Army. Lt Gen B S Raju had underlined numerous times that the army is working more on ensuring surrender rather than going for straight neutralisation.
India, Pakistan Agree to Observe Ceasefire along LoC On 25 February 2021 India Pakistan agreed to stand by the Ceasefire Agreement of 2003, which was a welcome move across both the borders. Guns will remain silent and locals living across the border will get a chance to live their normal lives, which was hampered by numerous cease fire violations in the past. Lt Gen B S Raju also welcomed the move and commented that
observing ceasefire is in interest of both India and Pakistan, and need of hour and he wants this truce to work.
Message to Youth of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir During one of the interview, Lt Gen B S Raju gave a message to youth of Kashmir. He amply conveyed to the youth that even if they have drifted from the mainstream society and have picked up arms, they will still be taken care of. He told that even during operations any youth can come back and we will help him in joining mainstream.
"My main message to youth - is you can get back and we will take care of you. In the last six months, seventeen of those who had strayed have come back and we will take care of them. My appeal to the youth who have gone astray is to come back. They can get back anytime, including during operations. They can call anybody, their parents, our helpline and we will organise their return," he said. Again on 7 July 2020, Lt Gen Raju was quoted where he said, ''"As I said, every loss of life is unfortunate. We don't want to kill militants, we give them an opportunity to surrender."''
A Day with Company Commander Under Lt Gen B S Raju the Indian Army started
"A Day with Company Commander", which was a model for the Soldier-Citizen connect. The intent is to break the barriers between soldier and the new generation. The need that the new generation should get a different experience than of the previous one, because they experienced terrorism and its pitfalls for last thirty years. Hence 'day with company commander' is being replicated at all the Company Operating Bases. Not only the boys but girls have also participated in these events in great numbers.
Chinar Corps Helpline It was during Lt Gen B S Raju's tenure as a Corps Commander that Chinar Corps established a Feedback & Grievances Helpline (
9484101010) for the population of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. While inaugurating the helpline, Lt Gen B S Raju stressed that "Helpline number has been started to strengthen connectivity between people, Army in J-K." This helpline is also accessible through Telegram, receives hundreds of phone calls and has become a true "Madadgar" for the Awam of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Khairiyat Patrol In order to assist the locals residing in remote areas Indian Army conducts
Khairiyat Patrols, during Lt Gen B S Raju's tenure this cause got a special impetus in view of the COVID-19 challenges. During the patrol, the Army reached out to Awam to know about their well-being and provided medical attention to those in need.
Sports and Cultural Outreach Programs In an effort to strike a common chord with the local population Indian Army facilitates conduct of sports and cultural programs in J&K. To extend the reach of the activities Lt B S Gen Raju pushed for games at village level which are being conducted across Kashmir valley. The village games were rustic games that were popular with the locals of the region and rejuvenated rural games. More than 100 such events were conducted in which more than 6000 children participated. The youth of the higher reaches also participated in such events.
Running of Army Goodwill School The inclusion of digital learning in Army Goodwill Schools empowers the students by getting them to become more interested in learning and expanding their horizon. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd in continuation to its CSR sponsorship for '
Digitization of the Army Goodwill Schools' has sponsored 10 more schools for digitization. This project was executed by
iDream Social Edtech Foundation. The digitization has bought the AGSs at par with the schools across the country. Teachers and students of these schools have access to instructional material in their tablets. The results of AGSs in 10th and 12th Board exams have been improving every year. UT of J & K schools will further improve the teaching-learning methods, to the benefit of the students of these schools. This initiative of Power Grid Cooperation of India Limited towards making a difference to the lives of Kashmiri students, mostly from under privileged section. ==Awards and decorations==