Pakistan Army Information

[fatman17]

how can one estimate how much army is mechanized like by looking at numbers of armored vehicles and personnel.... like on wikipedia they have stated Chinese army is 40% mechanized.... similarly how much pak army is mechanized?

INFANTRY:
Infantry Division x 19
Force Command Northern Areas (Division Equivalent) x 1
Mechanized Infantry Division x 2
Independent Infantry / Mechanized Infantry Brigade x 6

as of 2009.

all such info is available in this thread.....surf baby!

 

[truthseeker2010]

INFANTRY:
Infantry Division x 19
Force Command Northern Areas (Division Equivalent) x 1
Mechanized Infantry Division x 2
Independent Infantry / Mechanized Infantry Brigade x 6

as of 2009.

all such info is available in this thread.....surf baby!

plus 2 armored div..... and 6 brigades are around 3 div equivalents.... so a total of 7 mechanized divisions out of total 27 divisions that means our army is 25% mechanized.

Am i correct Sir? @fatman17

 

[fatman17]

plus 2 armored div..... and 6 brigades are around 3 div equivalents.... so a total of 7 mechanized divisions out of total 27 divisions that means our army is 25% mechanized.

Am i correct Sir? @fatman17

if your sums are right. there is a constant need to mechanize so additional APC's are being purchased thru FMS/EDA/local production.

 

[niaz]

Our main threat is from terrorists and mechanized units are not ideally suited for action against places such as FATA.
One would have thought that for counter insurgency and combating terrorism, main requirement would be for heli-borne ‘Light infantry’ or ‘Mountain infantry’ type units.

In other words, additional combat helicopters and rapid deployment troops are need of the day.

 

[fatman17]

Our main threat is from terrorists and mechanized units are not ideally suited for action against places such as FATA.
One would have thought that for counter insurgency and combating terrorism, main requirement would be for heli-borne ‘Light infantry’ or ‘Mountain infantry’ type units.

In other words, additional combat helicopters and rapid deployment troops are need of the day.

respected niaz, the army remains india-centric.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

 

[fatman17]

Pakistan to deploy its own UAVs over FATA

Author:Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad

Last posted:2014-02-12

Images:1 image

Pakistan is to deploy at least 20 "indigenously developed" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with "reconnaissance and offensive capabilities" across the country's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), a senior Pakistani government official has stated.

Pakistan's Shahpar (shown) and Burraq UAVs are to patrol the country's FATA region, where the United States' use of UAVs has been controversial to say the least. (GIDS)

The UAVs will be deployed along the Afghan border ahead of the US drawdown from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

The development is important for the country's army-led security services for two reasons. First, in recent years Pakistan has tried to acquire UAVs from the United States despite the controversy over their use in targeting suspected militants in FATA, notably in the North Waziristan region, but has had its requests refused. Second, the Pakistani UAV programme continues to attract global interest over the extent to which Pakistan's 'indigenously produced' UAVs rely on Chinese components.

In November 2013 it was reported the introduction of a fleet of UAVs by Pakistan's army and air force following the first formal acknowledgement that the programme existed. The Inter-Services Public Relations office described the induction as a "landmark and historic event" and revealed that two different types of UAV, the Burraq and the Shahpar, would enter service. At the time no information was given on the number of platforms to be introduced.

it has been previously reported that the 470 kg medium-range Shahpar is produced by Pakistan's Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), but bears more than a passing resemblance to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-3.

it was also reported in 2010 that China was preparing to deliver 20 systems, along with the CASC FT-5 65 kg-class 'small diameter bomb', to Pakistan in 2011.

According to GIDS, the Shahpar is powered by a 100 hp Rotax piston engine and has a maximum speed of 150 km/h and an endurance of 7 hours. It is said to be capable of day and night surveillance.

No details are available on the Burraq, although some analysts believe it might also be based on the CH-3. Pakistan also operates a batch of Selex ES Falco medium-altitude tactical reconnaissance UAVs.

ANALYSIS
Acquiring UAVs, notably those with offensive capabilities, will be a significant morale booster for Pakistan's armed forces, which see the absence of a UAV platform even remotely resembling the offensive capabilities of more advanced US UAVs as a major gap. A Western diplomat in Islamabad stated that any offensive capability in future UAVs "will help Pakistan demonstrate that it is filling the gap in an important area". While cautioning that initially Pakistan's UAVs "will not have the strike capability of American drones [UAVs]", he added that "a growing capability in this area could still make a difference [to the operational capabilities of the Pakistan Army] in FATA".
JDW

 

[fatman17]

Good Tank Country
Geographically, the whole of Pakistan can be described as a narrow strip of land astride the Indus River. This has its own peculiar implications of lack of depth and difficulty in defense. Major core areas, major industries and main arteries of communication lie perilously close to the border. With a vulnerable coastline open to the Indian Navy, Pakistan is prone to be blockaded due to single port of Karachi.

There is a lot of good tank country in Pakistan's heartland - the Punjab plain. Korea isn't good tank country.

There were almost no good roads in Korea, and it was not good tank country in the Patton and Walker sense. Iran, one of the world's most mountainous countries, isn't good tank country. The border between China and India is high in the Himalayan mountains, which is not good tank country. Burma was definitely not good tank country. Two substantial rivers run north and south, the first being the great Irrawaddy and, 50 miles to the east, the Sittang. The few roads and tracks went through rice paddy fields, and were mostly underwater in the rainy season and baked hard in summer, having many banks and obstructions. Beyond the paddy fields was the jungle, almost impenetrable for tanks.

What does "good tank country" look like? German tanks easily rolled into Poland on September 1, 1939. Poland was good tank country, relatively flat with few physical barriers. The open steppe and farm land of the Ukraine is good tank country. presenting only a few large river barriers to an attacking force. Germany is good tank country. The North German Plain is relatively flat and open terrain. Rivers and valleys do not canalize cross-country movement as is the situation further south. Such conditions made the area ideally suited to armor operations and provided Warsaw Pact forces with the best terrain to conduct a high-speed offensive across Western Europe to the major port facilities along the coast. Much of Vietnam was good tank country, particularly northern I Corps along the DMZ. The Central Highlands were actually very good Tank Country. Iraq has lots of good tank country, offering easy passage with wide and deep fields of view and fire. As a theater of military operations, the majority of Kuwait is flat and unobstructed desert. Military terrain analyses identified 60% of Kuwait as open desert terrain - good tank country and maneuvering - while another 15% was impeding terrain - soft sand dunes and rough man-made badlands.

Pakistan is divided into three major geographic areas: the northern highlands; the Balochistan Plateau, and the Indus River plain, with two major subdivisions corresponding roughly to the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.

Because of their rugged topography and the rigors of the climate, the northern highlands and the Himalayas to the east have been formidable barriers to movement into Pakistan throughout history. North-south valleys in Balochistan and Sindh have restricted the migration of peoples along the Makran Coast on the Arabian Sea east toward the plains. Several large passes cut the ranges along the border with Afghanistan. Among them are the the Khyber Pass, forty kilometers west of Peshawar and leading to Kabul.

On the eastern border with India, south of the Sutlej River, the Thar Desert may be considered separately from the Indus Plain. Sindh is the South Eastern Province of Pakistan. The province can be divided longitudinally in three distinct sections of equal sizes. The western part, known as Kohistan is hilly; the central portion is a fertile valley irrigated by the River Indus (Nara) and in the Eastern part is the Thar Desert. The Sindh Plain comprises mainly the province of Sindh and stretches between the Punjab Plain and the Arabian Sea. River Indus flows here as a single river. The plain comprises of a vast fertile tract stretching westward from the narrow strip of flood plain on the right bank of River Indus, and a vast expanse of desert stretching eastward from the left bank.

The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, straddles the border between northwestern India and eastern Pakistan. The Thar Desert of Pakistan, also known as the Rajasthan Desert in India, is bound on the east by the Aravalli Range and on the west by the present Indus River floodplain. As the monsoon crosses India, it loses moisture on the eastern slopes of the Aravalli Range. The Thar Desert of western India is the most densely populated hot desert in the world. Tharparkar supports a population of one million spread over 2350 villages pressed on 20,000 square Kilometers. The live stock population is considerably high, i.e about four million heads (in 1993) as compared to the availability of feed resources which are hardly sufficient for half of the live stock population. The area is mainly covered by sand dunes with substantial natural vegetation.

Rains are the only source in the sand desert tract and it is rare, at intervals of 3-4 years and maximum rain fall is recorded up to 3 inches only, with the result that the local Tharies are always in the state of nomad tribes. Besides, uncertain fate, famine is inherited by Tharies. Under the aforesaid desperate local conditions and environments that Tharies have a courage and solitude to survive and meet such desperate conditions boldly as their fate.

Located in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan, the Thar desert is bounded on the south by a salt marsh known as the Rann of Kutch, and on the west by the Indus River plain. About 800 kilometers long and about 500 kilometers wide, the desert's terrain is mainly rolling sandhills with scattered growths of shrub and rock outcroppings. The Thar desert, located in the Rajasthan state of India and parts of Pakistan is the home to a number of saline playas (lakes). These commercially important playas in this part of the world vary in size from very small depressions of few tens of square meters to massive basins which may exceed hundreds of km2. The Thar Desert includes a 214,000-km2 sand sea on the ancient alluvial plain of the Indus River in Pakistan and western India. The sand dunes of the Thar Desert constantly shift and take on new shapes.

Thar is a desert region in the southern part of Sindh province in Pakistan. "Thar" consists of a tract of small hills resembling the waves troubled sea, generally, running east and west and generally, higher in the western than eastern part of the district. 'The 'Parker' is situated in south-east of Thar. Its length and breath are from north to south, twenty miles, and from east to west thirty miles. In Parkar, ranges of hills composed of hard rocks take the place of the small hills of the Thar. From the south, the Runn separates the Thar and Parker from Kutch.

The district is mostly desert and consist of barren tracts of sand dunes covered with thorny bushes. The ridges are irregular and roughly parallel, that they often enclosed sheltered valleys, above which they rise to a height of some fifty meters. These valleys are moist enough to admit cultivation and when not cultivated they yield luxuriant crops of rank grass. But the extraordinary salinity of the subsoil and consequent shortage of potable water, renders many tracts quite uninhabitable. In many of the valleys the subsoil water collects and forms large and picturesque salt lakes, which rarely dry up.

Cultivation is sparse in the northern mountains, the southern deserts, and the western plateaus, but the Indus River basin in Punjab and northern Sindh has fertile soil that enables Pakistan to feed its population under usual climatic conditions. The Punjab Plain comprises mainly the province of Punjab. It is the gifted fertile land of River Indus and its five eastern tributaries - Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas. The plain is a great alluvial crescent stretching from the Indus River system in Pakistan to the Punjab Plain (in both Pakistan and India). Most of the Punjab plain is at an altitude of about 100 m, whereas the cloud-covered peaks to the north are above 6000 m (6 km or more of relief over a 60-km horizontal distance). The Punjab Plain in India has an area of about 40,000 square miles (100,000 square km) and in India covers the states of Punjab and Haryana and the union territory of Delhi.

In Pakistan the Punjab plain spreads from the south of Potohar plateau up to Mithankot, where the Sulaiman Range approaches river Indus. The Punjab plain is almost a featureless plain with a gentle slope southward averaging one foot to the mile. The only break in the alluvial monotony is the little group of broken hills (100 ft-1,600ft.) near Sangla and Irana on either side of the Chenab. The entire plain is extensively irrigated by a network of canals.

 

[S.Y.A]

what is the current number of troops in pakistan army? the number is 2-4 years old 617,000, there must have been some inductions till now.

 

[fatman17]

what is the current number of troops in pakistan army? the number is 2-4 years old 617,000, there must have been some inductions till now.

stays between 500K and 600K.

 

[fatman17]

GLOBAL MAIN BATTLE TANK PROGRAMMES ‐ PAKISTAN:

Last posted:1998-06-03

Pakistani MBT project Since 1990, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has been working with Pakistan on a four‐phase MBT program that includes upgrading the current NORINCO Type 59 MBT, local production of the NORINCO Type 69‐II and Type 85 MBTs and finally production of the MBT 2000 (Al Khalid).

In Pakistan, all of this work is being carried out at the Heavy Defence Industries facilities at Taxila. There have been some major delays in this program and in August 1996, Pakistan placed an order with Ukraine for 320 T‐80UD MBTs. The first of these was delivered in 1998.

Type 90 All Chinese MBTs are marketed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). The latest vehicle is the Type 90, which has been developed for the export market.

A version of this will be built in Pakistan as the MBT 2000 (or Al Khalid). The Type 90 has a crew of three and is fitted with a European power-pack comprising a Perkins 1,200hp diesel coupled to a French SESM 500 transmission. The 125mm smoothbore gun is fed by an automatic loader and a computerized fire‐control system is installed with the commander and gunner having roof‐mounted stabilized sights. For a higher level of battlefield survivability, explosive reactive armour is provided over the frontal arc.

Type 85 Further development of the Type 80 resulted in the Type 85, the first examples of which were armed with a 105mm rifled tank gun, the Chinese equivalent of the Royal Ordnance L7/US M68. The MBT has a crew of four. This was followed by the Type 85‐II and Type 85‐IIA, which has a three‐man crew and is armed with a 125mm smooth-bore gun fed by an automatic loader. The Type 85‐IIAP is the version developed for Pakistan. First vehicles are being delivered directly from China until production builds up in Pakistan. More recently, NORINCO has developed the Type 85‐III, which has some automotive improvements with a new 1,000hp power-pack and stabilized day/night sights for commander and gunner. Production of the older Type 80 (105mm) is believed to have been completed as is production of Type 79 (105mm) and Type 69 (100mm), whose development can be traced back to the Type 59, which was based on the Russian T‐54.

Pakistan rolls out upgraded T-59 tank.

Pakistan's Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) has rolled out its first upgraded T-59 main battle tank (MBT).
Present at the roll-out ceremony were HIT's director-general, Maj Gen Israr Ahmed Ghumman, and representatives of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), HIT's partner in the venture.

The upgraded tank is designated the Al-Zarrar. It offers improved firepower and armour protection over the T-59. A 125mm smooth-bore gun replaces the T-59's 100mm rifled gun. Other improvements include an image-stabilized fire-control system, explosive reactive armour, semi-automatic loading system, improved suspension, fire-extinguishing and explosion-suppression system and a 730hp power pack.

Although the upgraded tank was produced through the joint efforts of NORINCO and HIT engineers, Pakistan Army officials stressed that the concept originated with the state-owned HIT. The government plans to offer the tank for export in the hope that its low price compared to a new MBT will prove attractive.

The project was launched in the mid-1990s to modernize about 1,200 T-59s, the bulk of the army's MBT fleet. The service has expressed an interest in procuring 400 upgraded tanks; the first batch of 50 is to be delivered mid-year.

The Al-Zarrar is intended to bridge the gap caused by the delays in the Al-Khalid MBT 2000 project.

The service accepted the first of 15 pre-production tanks for trials in 2001. Delays in production also prompted the acquisition of 320 T-80UD MBTs from Ukraine in August 1996.

Some of the components in the Al-Zarrar, such as the 125mm gun, are common to the T-80UD. It also has a Ukrainian 5TDF diesel engine, which shares components with the T-80UD's 6TD-1 diesel.

Armoured recovery vehicle is latest addition to Talha family.


Last posted:2008-05-15

Key Points

· The Al Hadeed armoured recovery vehicle is the latest addition to HIT's Talha series of armoured personnel carriers
· The Al Hadeed will be able to recover vehicles weighing up to 20 tonnes

Pakistan's Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) unveiled the Al Hadeed armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) - the latest addition to its Talha series of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) - during April's Defence Services Asia exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

The Al-Hadeed ARV, which has yet to enter quantity production, is fitted with a roof-mounted hydraulically operated crane that can lift 3 tonnes.

A hydraulic winch is mounted in the rear of the vehicle leading out through the lowered rear ramp. It can be used to recover vehicles weighing up to 20 tonnes when the two rear hydraulic stabilizers are lowered.

There are at least two fire-support versions of the standard Talha APC. The Mouz is fitted with a pedestal-mounted Swedish Saab Bofors Dynamics RBS-70 laser-guided surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. This can also be removed from the Mouz and deployed on the ground. A roof-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun (MG) is provided for local defence.

The Maaz is armed with the locally manufactured 3,000 m range Baktar Shikan anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) and a 12.7 mm MG for local defence.

Baseline Talha APCs entered quantity production for the Pakistan Army several years ago and a batch of vehicles has also been supplied to the Multi-National Security Transition - Command - Iraq, which were delivered in 2006.

The Talha APC is very similar to the now BAE Systems Ground Systems M113 series APC that was manufactured under licence at HIT. Many of these have been upgraded by HIT to the enhanced M113A1/M113A2 standard.

Also expected to enter production at HIT in 2008 or 2009 is the Saad APC. This is similar to the Talha but has a longer chassis and six road wheels on either side, giving it greater internal volume and payload.

While the M113 series and Talha are powered by a US Detroit Diesel 6V-63 series engine coupled to an Allison TX 100-1 automatic transmission, the Saad has a new German power-pack.

This consists of an MTU 6V TE20 V-6 diesel developing 350/400 hp, coupled to a German ZF LSG 1000 automatic transmission. This gives a higher power-to-weight ratio and increased top speed.

HIT has also proposed an armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) based on the upgraded M113 called the Al-Hamza. This has firing ports in the rear troop compartment and a roof-mounted Chinese WAT 314T turret, armed with a 25 mm cannon and 7.62 mm co-axial MG.

Finally, there is a stretched load carrier based on a modified M113 series chassis called the Al-Qaswa.

The HIT facility continues to upgrade older main battle tanks (MBTs) for the Pakistani Army as well as continuing production of the Al Khalid MBT, which was developed in association with China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO).

Further enhancements of the Al Khalid are now under way, including enhanced protection and the installation of a defensive aids system to enhance survivability against ATGWs.

COMMENT
The US-developed M113 series APC has been used in large numbers by the Pakistan Army for many years and is its standard vehicle in this class.

Further development of this vehicle by Pakistan has not only saved valuable foreign exchange but also allowed the country to offer enhanced versions such as the Talha on the export market.
Pakistan unveils armoured vehicle.

Last posted:2002-08-16

Pakistan's state-owned Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) facility has recently developed the prototype of a new armoured personnel carrier (APC) called the Talha.

The development of the Talha is regarded as another major step in Pakistan's phased program to become self-sufficient in producing key weapon systems.

The Talha exploits HIT's extensive experience in the local production and assembly of the United Defense LP M113 APC series. The Talha's layout is almost identical to the M113.

The engine compartment is situated at the front right while the driver sits at the front left. The rest of the vehicle is taken up by the troop compartment, which has a power-operated ramp at the rear.

The hull is of all-welded aluminium armour providing protection from small-arms fire and shell splinters. With a crew of two - driver and commander - it can carry 11 infantry soldiers in the rear compartment.

The power pack is a Detroit Diesel 6V-53T turbocharged diesel developing 275hp coupled to an Allison TX 100-1A fully automatic three-speed transmission with a differential or pivot brake steering. This is the same as that installed in the locally assembled M113A2.

A 12.7mm heavy machine gun can be fitted at the commander's hatch for air defence and local protection. There is no protection for the gunner on the prototype from small-arms fire and shell splinters.

The inwards-sloping upper parts of the side of the rear troop compartment are fitted with firing ports and vision devices.

These allow some of the troops to fire their weapons from within the vehicle without exposing themselves to small-arms fire.

The Talha is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by its tracks. Before entering the water a trim vane is erected at the front of the hull and the bilge pumps are switched on.

For a higher level of battlefield survivability additional bolt-on passive armour is available. Other options include a nuclear, biological and chemical warfare defensive system and various night-vision aids.

According to HIT, the Talha has a combat weight of 12.5 tonnes and a maximum road speed of 70km/h, while the 390-litre fuel tank provides a cruising range of over 500km. As an alternative power pack, HIT is offering a Ukrainian UTD-20 four-stroke diesel developing 330hp. This would be coupled to a hydro-mechanical transmission with six forward and one reverse gears.

For some years Pakistan has had a close relationship with Ukraine, which has supplied 320 T-80UD main battle tanks (MBTs) powered by the very compact 6TD-1 engine developing 1,000hp. More recently a contract has been supplied for the more powerful 6TD-2 engines for the main production run of Pakistan's new Al Khalid MBT.

HIT has also developed a logistics vehicle based on a stretched M113-type chassis called the Al Qaswa as well as a command post vehicle called the Sakb.

This is similar to the United Defense M577 command post vehicle and has the roof line raised to the immediate rear of the driver's and engine compartment to increase space for the command staff.
JDW
good info on HIT tank works.

 

[fatman17]

Armour Corps Armoured Regiments
Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force)


In the 1965 War the regiment, as part of 6 Armoured Division, fought the Battle of Chawinda along Charwa axis. It was ordered to hold and repulse the advancing elements of the Indian 1st Armoured Division on approach Charwa-Phillaura-Chawinda. Later the unit put in a regimental attack on 8 September. As a result, the Indian 16 Cavalry lost 16 tanks and 8 tanks were captured, while the unit lost 4 tanks. In this attack 3 officers of the unit embraced Shahadat. These officers were awarded Sitara-i-Jurat for their gallantry.
In the 1971 War, the regiment, as part of 6 Armoured Division, remained dispersed in Sahiwal Jungle for deception, depicting an armoured force with dummy tanks. Later it moved to 33 Division area in Chhor-Umerkot Sector. In this sector 1 Junior Commissioned Officer and 2 Sowars embraced Shahadat due to an enemy air attack.
6 Lancers


In the 1965 War the regiment operated in the Khem Karan Sector under command 11 Division. It was 6 Lancers that stepped first into Indian territory and under its brave Commanding Officer, Lt Col Sahib Zad Gul, captured Khem Karan, amongst the first Indian towns to be captured by Pakistan. During this war, 2 officers, 11 Non-Commissioned Officers and 7 sowars of the regiment embraced Shahadat, including the Commanding Officer.
13th Lancers


In the 1965 War the regiment acted as the spearhead of the advance in Akhnur Sector of occupied Kashmir and penetrated 23 miles into enemy territory. Fourteen soldiers were martyred, including three officers, while twenty eight were wounded. For these actions the regiment was awarded the battle honour Dewa - Chumb and Jaurian 1965 and was also awarded the title of The Spearhead Regiment.
In the 1971 War, the regiment as part of 8 Independent Armoured Brigade Group, fought in the Shakargrah area of Sialkot Sector and inspite of heavy losses in men and material during counter attack on the enemy bridgehead on 16 December, it stood firm and in the process forced the enemy to withdraw and yield ground. Twenty four personnel were martyred in this action. The regiment was awarded battle honour of Bara Pind 1971.
20 Lancers
In the 1965 War the, the regiment was under 15 Division in the Sialkot sector. The regiment took part in the defence of Sialkot Cantonment and Dallowali Railway Sataion. Numerous enemy tanks, and other munition were destroyed. Fifteen soldiers of the regiment embraced Shahadat.
In the 1971 War, the regiment took part under 8 Division from the border in the north to Road Shakargrah-Zafarwal in the south at Shakargrah Zafarwal Sector. The regiment was tasked to delay the enemy onslaught between Deg Nadi on the west and River Bein on the east for 48 hours but the enemy was delayed for 13/14 days. Sowar Muhammad Hussain embraced Shahadat and earned Nishan-i-Haider for his selfless devotion and extreme act of gallantry, the only person in the Armoured Corps to get this award so far. Sixteen men embraced Shahadat, while forty five got wounded.
51 Lancers
In the 1971 War, during November 1971 while moving to its operational area in Chishtian Sector the regiment shot down two enemy Hunter aircrafts and captured one of the pilots Flt. Lt Vikrim Singh. During this acting, two sowars of the regiment embraced shahadat. Sitara-i-Jur'at was awarded to Maj Tariq Baig (Commanding Officer Train) and Tamgha-i-Jur'at was awarded to Sowar Ghulam Abbas posthumously. The regiment was also given the title of Silver Eagles.
4 Cavalry
In the 1965 War the regiment less reconnaissance troop participated in Indo-Pak War as part of 6 Armoured Brigade ex 1 Armoured Division in Khem Karan Sector. After suffering heavy casualties the regiment captured its objective. The regiment also celebrates 10 September to recall those memories and rejuvenate the sprit that is FOURTH CAVALRY. The reconnaissance troop of the regiment was placed under command 8 Baloch Regiment, and went into action in Chhamb Sector. During this war, 2 Junior ommissioned Officers, 4 Non-Commissioned Officerss and 11 sowars embraced Shahdat. Two officers of the regiment were awarded Sitara-i-Jurats along with Tamgha-i-Jurats to other soldiers of the regiment.
In the 1971 War, the regiment as part of 11 Division, participated in the war at Hussaini wala sector and captured the given objective, in the Indian territory. The regiment was awarded the battle honour Qaisar-i-Hind 1971. The regiment was awarded two Tamgha-i-Jur'ats and one Sitara-i-Jurat in this operation. One Junior Commissioned Officer and two soldiers of the regiment embraced Shahadat during this war.
22 Cavalry
In the 1965 War the regiment saw active field service in Sialkot Sector. It was given the mission of holding the railway line from Gunna Khurd to Rakh Baba Bhureshah, and preventing enemy penetration across the "Black Line" as it was operationally called. The regiment, along with affiliated forces successfully repelled repeated enemy attacks.
In the 1971 War, under command 18 Division in Reti-Rahimyar Khan Sector, the regiment was to spearhead the capture of Jaisalmir Sector. At 1530 hours on 3 December 1971, after long marches for concentration and a day of postponement, the operation commenced. On 5 December, an action was fought by a Squadron at Longanewala and with the help of 38 Baloch Regiment, the enemy was cut off. There after relentless enemy air strikes for most part of the day, resulted in the loss of 17 tanks and fifteen Shaheeds, forcing the regiment to fall back into own territory by early next day.
23 Cavalry (Frontier Force)
In the 1965 War the regiment was in the Lahore Sector. On 8-9 September 1965, it took part in the 22 Brigade counter attack across BRBL Canal, from over the North Syphon so as to destroy the enemy and secure the area up to the Grand Trunk Road at Mile 13-14. During the counter attack near Pul Kanjri Distributry, a jeep along with pennon, briefcase and diary of Major General Naranjan Purshad, GOC 15 Indian Division was also captured. During this action, 2 officers, 1 Junior Commissioned Officer and 5 sowars of the regiment embraced Shahadat.
In the 1971 War, the regiment saw active field service in Zafarwal Sector. Alongwith companies of 20 Baloch, C Squadron took Part in re-capture of villages Sank and Cheena Bedi Chand.
24 Cavalry (Frontier Force)


Rann of Kutch April 1965 While stationed at Lahore under Headquarters 10 Division, the regiment detached A Squadron for deployment under Headquarters 8 Division in Chhor Sector. Later, A Squadron along with 2 FF, under command 6 Brigade, attacked and captured Biar Bet.
Khem Karan September 1965 The unit was under command 1 Armoured Division at Raiwind. As part of 5 Armoured Brigade, it took part in operations across Rohi Nullah in Kasur Sector. In this operation by significant personal gallantry, Major Khadim Hussain destroyed three enemy tanks with an abandoned recoilless rifle.
In the 1971 War, on night 16/17 December the regiment was ordered to move to forward concentration area and finally placed near village Ramke on the MRL Canal approximately 7-8 miles short of Pasrur.
25 Cavalry
In the 1965 War the regiment under command 6 Armoured Division in Chawinda Sector remained in action throughout the 17 days of the war. 8 September was the most crucial day when four Indian divisions spear headed by their First Armoured Division (Fakhar-e-Hind) broke out of village Charwa on three axis. With total disregard to enemy strength, 25 Cavalry repulsed enemy advance by inflicting heavy casualties. The day's action culminated in capture of the vital ground of Gadgor. The badly mauled enemy leaving his destroyed equipment withdrew towards Chobara. On the next day, the enemy made desperate efforts to dislodge the unit from Gadgor, but the regiment held on till 10 September. The C-in-C Pakistan Army General Muhammad Musa came specially to address the regiment at Pasrur, during which he praised the deeds of the regiment and announced the title of "MEN OF STEEL", which was later approved by General Headquarter in 1976. The regiment was awarded 5 Sitara-i-Jur'at, 10 Tamgha-i-Jur'at. During this action 2 Junior Commissioned Officerss, 5 Non-Commissioned Officers and 9 soldiers of the regiment embraced shahadat.
27 Cavalry


In the 1971 War, the regiment operated in Narowal -Shakargarh/Zafarwal area as part of 8 Independent Armoured Brigade Group. The regiment took part in the famous battle at Bara Pind and Dharam Enclave. The regiment shot down one Indian aircraft during the siege of Dharam enclave.
28 Cavalry
In the 1971 War, the regiment, under command 2 Armoured Brigade took a very active part in the capture of Chamb (now Eftikharabad). During the battle, the regiment captured 40 prisoners of war including one major of 9 Jat Battalion, 11 tanks in running condition and vast quantities of arms and ammunition. six Junior Commissioned Officers, two Non-Commissioned Officers and 10 sowars embraced Shahadat.
29 Cavalry
In the 1971 War, it was the only Armoured Corps regiment which took part in the fighting in 1971 War in East Pakistan. The regiment was dished out even to troop level. Its troops fought in the areas of Rangpur, Pochagrah, Thakargaon, Dinajpur, Mandalpara, Saidpur, Bahadargang, Hilli, Dogra, Kushtia, Naugaon, Dacca and Narainganj. This was very challenging work in the adverse internal security environments against the Mukti Bahini over a prolonged period, and against numerically superior Indian forces. The chivalrous action of LD/Clk Ghulam Sarwar, on 16 December 1971 at Bogra shall always be remembered with great pride. He preferred Shahadat over surrender while fighting against an over whelmingly numerically superior enemy. This day is celebrated by the regiment. The regiment was decorated with 5 Sitara-i-Jur'ats, 2 Tamgha-i-Jur'ats for its splendid performance during 1971 war in the former East Pakistan.
31 Cavalry
In the 1971 war, the regiment saw action in Sialkot sector as part of 8 Independent Armoured Brigade Group. It was part of the action at Bara Pind near Zafarwal that two officers, one Junior Commissioned Officer, one Non-Commissioned Officer and six sowars embraced Shahadat.
38 Cavalry
In the 1971 War, the regiment, under command Headquarters 18 Division fought in the Rajasthan Sector. Regiment less one squadron, that was detached to 55 Brigade at Chhor, was part of the advanced towards Jaisalmir. Despite old and unreliable equipment it marched to Masitwari Bhit and later reached 5 kilometers short of Longane Wala, in India, at about 0700 hours on 5 December 1971. Due to intense enemy air attack, move was restricted only to the hours of darkness. On 9 December 1971 the regiment was ordered to withdraw from area Longane Wala (28 kilometers inside Indian territory) to Masitwari Bhit. During this brief action 1one Junior Commissioned Officer, one Non-Commissioned Officer and two sowars of the regiment embraced Shahadat.

 

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1971

1971

1971 battle weary troops

1971 POW

1971 under fire

 

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The History of Supersessions Caused by Pakistani C-in-Cs and COASs
November 28, 2013

By Maj (R) Zuha Saeed (12 OTS)

Editor’s Note: Maj Zuha Saeed is from 28 Cavalry. He got early retirement in 1995. He has settled in Islamabad.


Just for the record and remembering our glorious military history, I was intrigued and I started to collect data after Gen Raheel Sharif was announced our 15th COAS on 27th Nov 2013 (He took over on 29 November 2013).

To my surprise and grief, there I found such big names we have lost in dust of history, I just could not stop myself to write this piece …I BET, my finding in the last paragraph of this article will be worth a read, just as reminder to all and my gratitude to their service to our great Army.

Here are the names of GENERALS who got trampled in this dirty game of POWER in the last 66 years!!
I am not taking into consideration the first two British Army Chiefs; Gen Sir Frank Messervy (August 15, 1947 – February 10, 1948) and Gen Sir Douglas Gracey (February 11, 1948 – January 16, 1951).

Ayub Khan
1. Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan (January 16, 1951 – October 26, 1958) was the first NATIVE officer to take over Pakistan Army. When he was promoted as C-in-C, he superseded 3 Maj Gens on his elevation:-
- Maj Gen Akbar Khan
- Maj Gen N A M Raza
- Maj Gen ??? (PA-6, a Bengali officer)

Musa Khan
2. Gen Muhammad Musa (October 27, 1958 – June 17, 1966). He superseded the following on his promotion:-
- Maj Gen Sher Ali Khan Pataudi
- Maj Gen Latif Khan
- Maj Gen Adam Khan

Yahya Khan
3. Gen Muhammad Yahya Khan (June 18, 1966 – December 20, 1971) was designated Deputy C-in-C in March 1966, and later became the C in C in June 1966. He supersede the following Generals:-
- Lt Gen Altaf Qadir
- Lt Gen Bakhtiar Rana

Gul Hassan
4. Lt Gen Gul Hassan Khan (December 20, 1971 – March 3, 1972). He was the only 3 star C-in-C we ever had. He superseded only one Gen:-
- Lt Gen Tikka Khan

Tikka Khan
5. Gen Tikka Khan (March 3, 1972 – March 1, 1976). He was the only superseded 3 star to become Army Chief in our history. He was made 4 star C in C after Gul Hassan was removed by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on 2nd March 1972. He was promoted on seniority and did not supersede any officer.

Zia-ul-Haq
6. Gen Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (March 1, 1976 – August 17, 1988). When Bhutto elevated him as COAS in March 1976, Zia superseded the following Generals:-
- Lt. Gen Muhammad Shariff
- Lt Gen Aftab Ahmad Khan
- Lt Gen Akbar Khan
- Lt Gen Azmat Baksh Awan
- Lt Gen Ghulam Jilani
- Lt Gen Abdul Majid Malik
(Some put Lt Gen Agha Ibrahim Akram as senior to Zia-ul-Haq, but I am not very sure about it).

Aslam Beg
7. Gen Mirza Aslam Beg (August 17, 1988 to August 16, 1991). He was promoted after the plane crash of Gen Zia. He was already VCOAS and did not supersede any officer.

Asif Nawaz
8. Gen Asif Nawaz (Aug ust16, 1991 – January 8, 1993). He was promoted on seniority and did not supersede any officer.

Waheed Kakar
9. Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar (January 11, 1993 – January 12, 1996). When Gen Waheed Kakar was promoted after the sudden death of Gen Asif Nawaz, the following four Lt Gens were superseded:-
- Lt Gen Rehm Dil Bhatti
- Lt Gen Mohammad Ashraf
- Lt Gen Farrakh Khan
- Lt Gen Arif Bangash
(Among these generals, last two opted to continue serving as per Gen Kakar’s request).

Jehangir Karamat
10. Gen Jehangir Karamat (January 12, 1996 – October 6, 1998). He was promoted on seniority and did not supersede any officer.