19 Baloch Regiment
Encyclopedia
19th Battalion The Baloch Regiment
is one of the oldest Light Anti-Tank
Regiment of Pakistan Army
. Initially raised as the Machine Gun Battalion of 10th Baluch Regiment in 1942, it was first designated as 53rd Regiment, Indian Armoured Corps and then re-designated as 17/10th Baluch. This unit has the unique honour of being the parent unit of Pakistan Army
's special forces known as Special Service Group. Prominent officers including General Mirza Aslam Beg
, General Pervez Musharraf
have served in the unit and Maj Gen Abrar Hussain and Maj Gen Aboobaker Osman Mitha also known as AO Mitha have commanded this unit.
Group, which was raised in 1820. To cater for the ever growing demand of troops, the group was expanded during World War II
and a number of battalions were added, including 17/10th Baluch, which was raised on 15 April 1942 at Karachi
by Lt Col C J D Tomkins.
. From there, it moved to Persia as part of http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/68/a6621068.shtmlPersia and Iraq
(PAI) Force] to Bisitun in Persia. In Persia the battalion performed protection duties.
) was dispatched to Dodecanese Islands (Greece
) on 21 Dec 1945 and deployed at Rhodes
as the garrison battalion. From there it was sent to Benghazi
, Tobruk
and finally Cyrenaica
in August 1946. It left Cyrenaica in January 1947, via Suez
for India
, arriving at Bombay on 16 February 1947. The battalion was stationed at Poona up to Aug 1947.
). A selection test was held for all officers and men of the old 17 Baluch desirous of remaining with 19 Baluch (SSG). Majority of men were weeded out in the tough physical tests. Remaining members along with volunteers raised Quaid Company of SSG, which later became part of 1 Commando Battalion.
Using elements of Battalion Headquarters, the Adjutant, Captain Amman Ullah Cheema raided the Indian post at Thako Chak which was being manned by 16 (Patiala) Punjab of Indian Army
. The post was taken with minimum casualties and was held till the end of the war despite a strong enemy counter-attack on 15 December. The post was so fiercely defended that Indians assumed tanks to be present there. Needless to say, Indian 16 Punjab's attack was repulsed while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. In the aftermath of Simla Agreement when both the army chiefs met at Lahore
to demarcate the border, a break down in talks occurred on the Thako Chak issue. 19 Baluch (R&S) captured this salient in the Jammu
Sector; a part lay across the international border and another across the ceasefire line. The Simla Agreement required this minor salient to be divided between India and Pakistan. Although this seemed pointless to India, it became a matter of principle for Pakistan. Talks dragged on endlessly. Ultimately, India resolved this problem by compensating Pakistan elsewhere along the Line of Control
.
At the outbreak of hostilities, this company was part of Minto Force (named after Lt Col Minto, CO 26 Cavalry) and was placed under the command of 4 Azad Kashmir Brigade. This force consisted of 12 Independent Squadron, Squadron ex 26 Cavalry, Company R&S ex 19 Baluch and Rear HQ of 26 Cavalry.
The company went under comd 20 Brigade. The company along with 23 Baluch played an important role in the capture of Chhamb.
The company was under the command of 111 Brigade. The important actions undertaken by the company are:
The company underwent frequent changes of brigades. The main action in which it took part under 4 AK Brigade, was the action of Mandiala Ridges. In this action, the company advanced from a bridgehead across River Tawi followed by a squadron of tanks ex 11 Cavalry on the morning of 5 December 1971. The force got ambushed and was completely pinned down having suffered the loss of seven Recoilless Rifles and two Machine Guns.
Battalion
and redesignated as 19 Baloch (SSG) in April 1998. This was largely due to the efforts of Lt Col Wasif Sajjad, the Commanding Officer, who had himself served in SSG.
. Literally it means those who prevail on strength of their power.
Baloch Regiment
The Baloch Regiment is an infantry regiment of Pakistan Army. The modern regiment was formed in May 1956 by the merger of 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments with the Baluch Regiment. Since then, further raisings have brought the strength of the Regiment to more than fifty battalions...
is one of the oldest Light Anti-Tank
Anti-tank warfare
Anti-tank warfare was created by the need to seek technology and tactics to destroy tanks and their supporting infantry during the First World War...
Regiment of Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
. Initially raised as the Machine Gun Battalion of 10th Baluch Regiment in 1942, it was first designated as 53rd Regiment, Indian Armoured Corps and then re-designated as 17/10th Baluch. This unit has the unique honour of being the parent unit of Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
's special forces known as Special Service Group. Prominent officers including General Mirza Aslam Beg
Mirza Aslam Beg
General Mirza Aslam Beg, SBt, HI, NI, afwc, psc , is a retired four-star general who was the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army succeeding General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, after the latter died in an air crash on 17 August 1988...
, General Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
have served in the unit and Maj Gen Abrar Hussain and Maj Gen Aboobaker Osman Mitha also known as AO Mitha have commanded this unit.
17/10th Baluch
19 Baloch originally formed part of old 10th Baluch Regiment10th Baluch Regiment
The 10th Baluch or Baluch Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. After the Partition of India, it was transferred to the Pakistan Army. In 1956, it was amalgamated with the 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments...
Group, which was raised in 1820. To cater for the ever growing demand of troops, the group was expanded during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and a number of battalions were added, including 17/10th Baluch, which was raised on 15 April 1942 at Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
by Lt Col C J D Tomkins.
World War II
After its raising, the battalion was involved in famine relief duties in BengalBengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. From there, it moved to Persia as part of http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/68/a6621068.shtmlPersia and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
(PAI) Force] to Bisitun in Persia. In Persia the battalion performed protection duties.
Post World War II Moves
From Persia, 17 Baluch (in 1945, '10' was dropped from the designation of Baluch RegimentBaluch Regiment
Baluch Regiment may refer to:*the 10th Baluch Regiment of the Indian Army *the successor Baloch Regiment of the Pakistan Army...
) was dispatched to Dodecanese Islands (Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
) on 21 Dec 1945 and deployed at Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
as the garrison battalion. From there it was sent to Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
, Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
and finally Cyrenaica
Cyrenaica
Cyrenaica is the eastern coastal region of Libya.Also known as Pentapolis in antiquity, it was part of the Creta et Cyrenaica province during the Roman period, later divided in Libia Pentapolis and Libia Sicca...
in August 1946. It left Cyrenaica in January 1947, via Suez
Suez
Suez is a seaport city in north-eastern Egypt, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez , near the southern terminus of the Suez Canal, having the same boundaries as Suez governorate. It has three harbors, Adabya, Ain Sokhna and Port Tawfiq, and extensive port facilities...
for India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, arriving at Bombay on 16 February 1947. The battalion was stationed at Poona up to Aug 1947.
First Kashmir War
The battalion took part in Kashmir Operation in Bagh Sector under 102 Brigade. On 20 Jul 1948, C Company of 19 Baloch along with D Company of 11 Baloch captured Point 9178, during the operation which culminated in the capture of Pandu. The battalion guarded a frontage of 60 km from Chattar to Dara Haji Pir. Lance Havildar Lal Khan of this unit was awarded Tamgha-e-Jurat for gallantry in the capture of Point 9178.Commanding Officers 17/10th Baluch
| Serial no | Name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lt Col CJD Tomkins | 16 Jan 42 - 7 Mar 43 |
| 2 | Lt Col LVS Sherwood, DSO | 8 Mar 43 - 23 Aug 44 |
| 3 | Lt Col H Goring | 24 Aug 44 - 23 May 45 |
| 4 | Lt Col GC Bradbury | 24 May 45 - 8 Aug 47 |
| 5 | Maj NK Chatterji | 9 Aug 47 - 17 Nov 47 |
| 6 | Lt Col Safdar Ali* | 18 Nov 47 - 25 Feb 50 |
| 7 | Lt Col Abrar Husain Abrar Husain Major General Abrar Hussain, HJ, MBE was a Pakistani military hero of World War II and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.-Early life:... , MBE** |
26 Feb 50 -20 Mar 51 |
| 8 | Lt Col SJB Irani* | 21 Mar 51 - 22 Jan 52 |
| 9 | Lt Col AQ Sher* | 23 Jan 52 - 16 Jul 53 |
| 10 | Lt Col SM Hayat Qaisrani* | 17 Jul 53 - 27 Sep 53 |
19 Baluch (Special Service Group)
The battalion was earmarked for conversion into Special Service Group in 1956. 17th Battalion The Baluch Regiment and 312 Garrison Company (SSG) were amalgamated and the battalion was renamed as 19th Battalion The Baluch Regiment (SSGSSG
- Organizations :* Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, within the United States Navy* Safesoft Global, former name of Seioglobal, a Chinese IT company* Särskilda Skyddsgruppen, a special forces unit of the Swedish Defence Forces...
). A selection test was held for all officers and men of the old 17 Baluch desirous of remaining with 19 Baluch (SSG). Majority of men were weeded out in the tough physical tests. Remaining members along with volunteers raised Quaid Company of SSG, which later became part of 1 Commando Battalion.
Commanding Officers - 19 Baluch (SSG)
| Serial no | Name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lt Col AO Mitha**, TPk | 28 Sep 55 - 24 Jun 61 |
| 2 | Lt Col Muhammad Aslam, MC** | 25 Jun 61 - 5 Jan 64 |
| 3 | Col SG Mehdi | 6 Jan 64 - 20 Sep 65 |
Suspended Animation
It remained SSG Battalion for 13 years, till August 1965, when the scope of Special Service Group was expanded from battalion size to that of an operational group and 19 Baluch went into suspended animation.19 Baluch (Reconnaissance & Support)
As part of the expansions carried out in late 1960s, 19 Baluch was re-raised as a Reconnaissance & Support (R&S) Battalion on 14 Mar 1969 at Baluch Regimental Centre (BRC) Abbotabad. Lt Col Muhammad Ilyas was posted as its Commanding Officer with a major portion of other officers coming from 5 Baluch. Captain Shahbaz (later Colonel) was the first officer to report at BRC and was appointed as Signal Officer of the battalion. Capt Amman Ullah Cheema also joined from 5 Baluch and was later to become Adjutant of the battalion during 1971 war and a hero of attack on Thako Chak in the Battle of Chhamb.1971 War - Battle of Chhamb
During 1971 war, all the R&S Companies took part in the war under their respective brigades in the Battle of Chhamb. Jalil Force named after the then Commanding Officer Lt Col Abdul Jalil took up defense in Nadala enclave near Surkhpur.Battalion HQ - Thako Chak
Using elements of Battalion Headquarters, the Adjutant, Captain Amman Ullah Cheema raided the Indian post at Thako Chak which was being manned by 16 (Patiala) Punjab of Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. The post was taken with minimum casualties and was held till the end of the war despite a strong enemy counter-attack on 15 December. The post was so fiercely defended that Indians assumed tanks to be present there. Needless to say, Indian 16 Punjab's attack was repulsed while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. In the aftermath of Simla Agreement when both the army chiefs met at Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
to demarcate the border, a break down in talks occurred on the Thako Chak issue. 19 Baluch (R&S) captured this salient in the Jammu
Jammu
Jammu , also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India.Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir...
Sector; a part lay across the international border and another across the ceasefire line. The Simla Agreement required this minor salient to be divided between India and Pakistan. Although this seemed pointless to India, it became a matter of principle for Pakistan. Talks dragged on endlessly. Ultimately, India resolved this problem by compensating Pakistan elsewhere along the Line of Control
Line of Control
The term Line of Control refers to the military control line between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir—a line which, to this day, does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary but is the de facto border...
.
A Company
At the outbreak of hostilities, this company was part of Minto Force (named after Lt Col Minto, CO 26 Cavalry) and was placed under the command of 4 Azad Kashmir Brigade. This force consisted of 12 Independent Squadron, Squadron ex 26 Cavalry, Company R&S ex 19 Baluch and Rear HQ of 26 Cavalry.
B Company
The company went under comd 20 Brigade. The company along with 23 Baluch played an important role in the capture of Chhamb.
C Company
The company was under the command of 111 Brigade. The important actions undertaken by the company are:
- Capture of Paur Post along with a troop of tanks of 26 Cavalry on the morning of 4 December 1971.
- Advance to and fight on the Phagla Ridge with a squadron of tanks of 26 Cavalry on the morning of 6 December 71.
- Attack on Dhar and Palatan on the night 10–11 December 1971.
D Company
The company underwent frequent changes of brigades. The main action in which it took part under 4 AK Brigade, was the action of Mandiala Ridges. In this action, the company advanced from a bridgehead across River Tawi followed by a squadron of tanks ex 11 Cavalry on the morning of 5 December 1971. The force got ambushed and was completely pinned down having suffered the loss of seven Recoilless Rifles and two Machine Guns.
19 Baluch (Standard Infantry Battalion)
In 1972, a dearth of standard infantry battalions (SIB) had developed and not enough troops were available to hold forward defended localities (FDLs). As a consequence, 19 Baluch (R&S) was converted into foot infantry in 1972 and underwent conversion training in its area of responsibility. The unit occupied Mandiala Ridges along Line of Control in its new role. In 1973, the battalion was re-converted into R&S Battalion.19 Baloch (Light Anti Tank)
The battalion was re-designated and reorganized as a Light Anti Tank (LAT) Battalion in May 1991. This reorganization was part of Pakistan Army's overall reforms introduced in that year. Apart from reorganization in the company strengths, newer weapon systems such as Baktar Shikan were also introduced. In 1991, the spelling of 'Baluch' was changed to 'Baloch.'Affiliation with SSG
Due to old affiliation with SSG, the battalion was affiliated with 1 CommandoCommando
In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
and redesignated as 19 Baloch (SSG) in April 1998. This was largely due to the efforts of Lt Col Wasif Sajjad, the Commanding Officer, who had himself served in SSG.
Raising Day
Raising day is celebrated on 11 April, commemorating the re-raising of the battalion at Abbottabad in 1969.Colonels of the Battalion
After the unit was reorganized in 1969 and redesignated as 19 Baluch, Colonel Abdul Rauf, TBt, was appointed the first Colonel of the Battalion. He remained on this prestigious appointment for two terms. He was succeeded by Major General Muhammad Azam, who also served for two terms. On completion of his tenure, Brigadier Salim Ashraf, SI (M), took over as the new Colonel of the Battalion in August 2010.Martyrs
During the war of 1965 officers and men who laid down their lives in the line of duty while serving in SSG are included in unit's list of martyrs. Apart from the War of 1971, unit also lost men to the floods of 1973, who despite rising waters did not vacate their posts on Mandiala Ridges.War of 1965
| Serial no | Name | Parent Arm/Corps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maj Muhammad Sarwar | Armoured Corps |
| 2 | Capt Nisar Ahmed, SJ | Engineers |
| 3 | Capt Muhammad Sadiq, SJ | Artillery |
| 4 | Naib Subedar Nazir Ahmed | Baloch |
| 5 | Hav Muhammad Riaz | Signals |
| 6 | Hav Muhammad Bashir | Punjab |
| 7 | Hav Abbass Ali, TJ | Baloch |
| 8 | Hav Khan Muhammad | Frontier Force |
| 9 | Nk Adalat Hussain | Punjab |
| 10 | Nk Shabbir Hussain | Punjab |
| 11 | L/Nk Mukhtar Ahmed, TJ | Punjab |
| 12 | L/Nk Muhammad Asghar | Artillery |
| 13 | L/Nk Qamarudin Ahmed | Signals |
| 14 | Swr Muhammad Haleem,TJ | Armoured Corps |
| 15 | Swr Muhammad Asghar | Armoured Corps |
| 16 | L/Nk Muzaffar Khan, TJ | Baloch |
| 17 | OCU Muhammad Hussain | Artillery |
| 18 | Sep Ahmed Shah | Artillery |
| 19 | OCU Muzzamil Hussain | Artillery |
| 20 | Gnr Khan Afsar | Artillery |
| 21 | Sep Muhammad Rashid | Artillery |
| 22 | Spr Muhammad Sadiq | Engineers |
| 23 | Spr Munsaf Khan | Engineers |
| 24 | Sep Muhammad Aslam | Punjab |
| 25 | Swr Muhammad Baksh | Punjab |
| 26 | Sep Chan Pir Shah | Baloch |
| 27 | Sep Muhammad Ayub | Baloch |
| 28 | Sep Haider Gul | Frontier Force |
| 29 | Sep Muhammad Saleem | Frontier Force |
| 30 | Sep Feroze Ali | AMC |
War of 1971
The following brave men of 19 Baluch (R&S) laid down their lives in the line of duty while fighting in the Battle of Chhamb| Serial no | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | L/Hav Muhammad Azam |
| 2 | L/Nk Sher Khan |
| 3 | Sep Muhammad Ashiq |
| 4 | Sep Muhtamim Shah |
| 5 | Sep Muhammad Nawab |
| 6 | Sep Fazal Hussain |
| 7 | Sep Muhammad Ishaq |
| 8 | Sep Alif Din |
1973 Floods
During the floods of 1973, 19 Baluch was occupying posts on Mandiala Ridges. After the initial flood outbreak, more than 100 troops were reported missing. However, after the initial chaos had abated and communications re-established, losses were calculated to be much less. The casualties of the 1973 flood were:| Serial no | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sub Sher Zaman |
| 2 | Hav Naseer Khan |
| 3 | L/Hav Mehboob Khan |
| 4 | L/Hav Muhammad Younis |
| 5 | Nk/Clk Muhammad Sadiq |
| 6 | L/Nk Abdul Razzaq |
| 7 | Sep Said Bahadur Shah |
| 8 | Sep Murad Shah |
| 9 | Sep Khan Bahadur Shah |
| 10 | Sep Muhammad Siddique |
| 11 | Sep Muhammad Aslam |
| 12 | Sep Nazir Hussain |
| 13 | Sep Muhammad Bashir |
| 14 | Sep Nazar Hussain |
| 15 | Sep Nazir |
Motto
The battalion adopted the motto of "Alquadri" in 1991. Since Qadir is name of Allah, so Alquadri means Allah's or "Allah Wali" in UrduUrdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. Literally it means those who prevail on strength of their power.