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History & Operations of Wars in Pakistan

An oft-seen photograph of Pakistani 'trophies' inspecting captured 25-pounder guns of the Indian 161 Field Regiment, at Jaurian.
The commander of the Akhnoor-based "Crossed Swords" Division was sacked by LTG Harbaksh Singh for not retrieving the guns, replaced by MG Umrao Singh.


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Those who don't know, the rank of jemadar in British army is equivalent to naib subedar in infantry units, and naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured corps units. The battle of Chajja Hill was the turning point of AJK war of liberation. Rest in Peace Soldier!!!

Jemadar Hussain Khan; a 4/7ᵗʰ Rajput veteran of the Second World War, who was killed in action while defending the Chhaja feature at Poonch, on 18ᵗʰ May 1948, while serving with the 4ᵗʰ Azad Kashmir, aka the 8ᵗʰ Sudhnotis. awarded the Shuja; equivalent of the Tamgha-e-Jurat.


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The Pakistan Army of '71 was quite different it's pre-US embargo former self. the small-arms inventory had improved. Inculcation of Chinese tactics had allowed units to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines, such as the 26ᵗʰ Brigade at Chandak / Thanpir at the cost of logistics....


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Post-Tashkent, 1966.

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GOC 10ᵗʰ Division, MG Sarfaraz Khan and GOC 15ᵗʰ Division, MG Mohinder Singh, meet on the banks of the BRBL Canal. both were Second World War recipients of the Military Cross -
Not to forget the HJ and MVC given for the '65 Operations too, respectively.
 
Operation desert hawk
Lieutenant Ahmed Khatlani, a company commander with the 18ᵗʰ Punjab, was killed in action during the attack on Sardar Post, in the Rann of Kutch, on night 8/9ᵗʰ April 1965.

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A posthumous Sitara-e-Jurat.
This was the first major encounter in the 1965 saga.
 
Mizo rebels and Pakistani troops - East Pakistan. Circa 1971...

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Uprooted from Mizoram after the February 1966 rebellion was crushed by the Indians, 'President Laldenga' and his followers found refuge and assistance in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The games we played...and play.
 
A captured 25-pounder towed artillery piece.

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can't say if this is the same pair brought back by the late Shabbir Sharif after the Battle of Troti. insignia of the Indian 15 Corps is visible on the vehicle. aka the Chinar Corps - headquartered at Srinagar's Badami Bagh Cantt.


Cuirassier
 
Armoured Corps


War Performance 1965 War


13 Lancers
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.

Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force)
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.

06 Lancers
During this 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.

20 Lancers
During this war, the regiment was under 15 Division in the Sialkot sector. The regiment took part in the defence of Sialkot Cantonment and Dallowali Railway Station. Numerous enemy tanks, and other munition were destroyed. Fifteen soldiers of the regiment embraced Shahadat.

4 Cavalry
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.
22 Cavalry
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.

23 Cavalry (Frontier Force)
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.

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.

25 Cavalry
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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.
 
The infantry of the 1960s...

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The prisoner exchange in early 1966 involved the return of 25 Pakistani officers and 12 JCOs; some 57 Indian officers and 36 JCOs were repatriated too.

source: V. Longer's "Red Coats to Olive Green: A History of the Indian Army, 1600-1974"
 
Wajahat Ullah Safi

1. Gen Musharraf is received by LT.Col Amjad Shabir,12NLI ( later Brig )under the shadow of Tiger Hills deep inside the enemy territory - Feb 1999

2. First Army Chief ever in the history of PA to have achieved this mile stone

3. He was being briefed about 12 NLI plans upon arrival.


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All the major actors. Aziz Khan (CGS) Javed Hassan (GOC FCNA) CO 12 NLI & Mush Masood Aslam (Cdr 80 Bde and later XI Corps Cdr in peak of COIN during '07-'10) Mahmud Ahmed (X Corps Cdr; went rogue later)


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4. COAS held an “ Ijtamah “ of the brave hearts - the glorious 12 NLI ( unit of Capt Sher, NH & Hav Ladakh Jan, NH )

5. The حیدران بٹالین - A feat never accomplished earlier by any unit of PA by earning 2 highest gallantry awards.


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An oft-seen photograph of Pakistani 'trophies' inspecting captured 25-pounder guns of the Indian 161 Field Regiment, at Jaurian.
The commander of the Akhnoor-based "Crossed Swords" Division was sacked by LTG Harbaksh Singh for not retrieving the guns, replaced by MG Umrao Singh.


View attachment 753413
These guns were used to form 40th Field regiment of Pakistan Army
 

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