Frontier Force Regiment
Encyclopedia
For Pakistan's Border Guard
see: Frontier Corps
The Frontier Force Regiment (popularly known as the "Piffers" or the "FF") is one of six Infantry
regiment
s in the Pakistan Army
. At present, the regiment consists of 67 battalions and has its regimental depot at Abbottabad
in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For that reason Abbottabad is also known as Home of Piffers. Currently the regiment includes both mechanised
and motorised
infantry battalions. Other than these there are also some Armoured and Artillery battalions which were raised from the strength of Frontier Force or one of its predecessor regiments.
and Baloch
. The regiment was raised in 1957 through the amalgamation of three Pakistan Army regiments, all with their origins in two regiments which had been transferred to Pakistan from the British Indian Army
at the time of the partition of India
in 1947. These two regiments were the Frontier Force Regiment and the Frontier Force Rifles. The third component, the Pathan Regiment, had been raised after partition from elements of the former two. The merger took place when a major reorganisation of regiments was carried out in the Pakistan Army.
The FF battalions took active part not only in battles on Pakistan's borders but also served extensively overseas, in Saudi Arabia
, and as part of United Nations
peacekeeping operations
in Somalia
. In Somalia, some of the Piffer battalions also participated in the world renowned operations of Battle of Mogadishu (1993). This battle history earned Piffers two Nishan-e-Haider
, the highest gallantry award in Pakistan, and many other awards too.
The battalions are divided under independent formations and are commanded by their formation commander. The training and record keeping is done by the regimental depot, which is usually commanded by an officer of the rank Brigadier
. The regiment's highest ranking officer is given the honorary title of "Colonel Commandant
" and Colonel-in-Chief
, if the highest ranking officer is the Chief of Army Staff.
The Frontier Force Regiment came into being in 1957 with the amalgamation of the Frontier Force Regiment
, the Frontier Force Rifles
and the Pathan Regiment, all of which had their origins in the British Indian Army
. During the 1840s, after the first
and second
Anglo-Sikh Wars, Colonel Sir Henry Lawrence
, the Honourable East India Company's agent to the Lahore Durbar (brother of the later Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab Sir John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence
) sanctioned the raising of the Corps of Guides and a number of infantry regiments by incorporating veterans from the disbanded Sikh Khalsa army. During the early 1850s some of Lawrence's Sikh regiments were designated the "Punjab Irregular Force
", giving rise to the "Piffer" nickname which the Regiment carries to the present day, and through a series of reorganisations that culminated in 1922, these units would eventually become the 12th Frontier Force Regiment
and 13th Frontier Force Rifles
. The use of the pre-fixing regimental numbers was discontinued in 1945, the two regiments becoming the Frontier Force Regiment and the Frontier Force Rifles, and both regiments were transferred to Pakistan by the United Kingdom
in 1947, on the granting of independence
to British India.
The Pathan Regiment was raised after partition from the 4th battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment and the 4th and 15th battalions of the Frontier Force Rifles. Initially the regimental depot was at Dera Ismail Khan
but it relocated to Kohat
in 1949 and was later merged into the Frontier Force Regiment with its regimental depot at Abbottabad
. Fifteen of the modern Frontier Force Regiment's 52 battalions trace their origins back to British Indian Army units, as tabulated below.
battalions, some of which are mechanised or motorised
with the remainder known colloquially as "foot infantry". Each battalion is subdivided into four companies, normally named Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. The regiment also includes armoured and artillery units, established from among its strength. All Piffer battalions serve alongside other Pakistan Army
units in mixed formations; operational control resides with the appropriate brigade
, whereas administrative control remains with the Frontier Force regimental depot. The regiment recruits mostly from the Pashtun
tribes of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and is often called a Pashtun Regiment, although officers and other ranks from all over Pakistan have served and continue to serve in the regiment. Prior to 2000, the Piffers had been standardised to include equal numbers of Pashtuns and Punjabi
s in its non-officer ranks, but in 2000, this composition was amended to include 10% Sindhis
and 5% Balochis, reducing the quota of Punjabis to 35%. This measure was intended to diminish segregation within the Army.
, which also houses the depots of the Baloch Regiment
and the Army Medical Corps. The city was originally the headquarters of the Frontier Force Rifles prior to their merger with the Frontier Force Regiment and the Pathan Regiment (then based at Sialkot
and Kohat
respectively). The Abbottabad depot is responsible for the regiment's basic recruit training, and since 1981 has housed the Piffer Museum, which records the Piffer's regimental history. The museum's collection includes medals, weapons, dress and insignia, portraits and flags, history books, albums, paintings, cutlery and musical instruments. Abbottabad is also home to the Piffer Memorial, a 28 feet (8.5 m) tall obelisk built of sandstone known as Yadgar-e-Shuhada. This was originally erected at Kohat in 1924, but in 1964 was moved to Abbottabad on the instructions of General Muhammad Musa, the then Commander-in-Chief
of the Pakistan Army. It was unveiled in Abbottabad in April 1965. A Roll of Honour
is displayed around the memorial on plates, and wreath-laying ceremonies are held on important national days and by visitors. A replica of the memorial was built at its original location at Kohat in 2001.
in 1947, India
and Pakistan
have fought three major wars and one minor war, and have been involved in an ongoing conflict since 1984. The casus belli
for all these is the dispute
between the two countries over the status of the state of Kashmir
.
Concerned by what it saw as Indian attempts to absorb the disputed region of Kashmir, in 1965 Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar
to forment a popular uprising against Indian control in Jammu and Kashmir
. However, the operation did not produce the hoped-for results, and following a period of escalating clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops and irregulars from April to September, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 began. Also known as the Second Kashmir War (the first
having been fought in 1947), the five-week conflict led to territorial gains and losses, and caused thousands of casualties, on both sides, before ending in a United Nations
mandated ceasefire
.
Frontier Force armoured, artillery and infantry units were present in all sectors, including Kashmir
, Chhamb
, Sialkot
, Lahore
, Kasur
-Khemkaran
and Rajasthan
. All three Piffer armoured regiments gave a good account of themselves in the Sialkot sector, and the 11th Cavalry also saw action in Chhamb. The 1st SP Field Artillery provided fire support in the battle of Chawinda
, losing their commanding officer in the process—the unit was subsequently awarded red collar-piping in recognition of their performance. The 6th and 12th FF were involved in the advance on the Chhamb-Jaurian-Akhnur axis, and the 6th FF also fought in the Sialkot sector, along with the Guides Cavalry, the 11th Cavalry, and the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 13th and 14th FF. The 7th, 11th, 15th and 16th FF took part in the defence of Lahore; the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 10th FF took part in the capture of Khem Karan in the Kasur Sector, and the 8th and 18th FF made significant gains in the Rajhistan Sector. Some fighting continued after the ceasefire, and two months later in the Rajhistan Sector, the 23rd FF re-captured the Sadhewala Post.
broke out in the former East Pakistan
(now Bangladesh
) between the West Pakistan
i administrative authorities and the majority local population. India, to where many of East Pakistan's exiled political leaders and refugees from the fighting had fled, provided support for the dissidents including arming and training a Bangladeshi irregular force (the Mukti Bahini
). To relieve pressure on their forces in the east, in December 1971 Pakistani forces launched a pre-emptive attack on India from the west, which was only partially successful and met with massive retaliation. Fighting on two fronts, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire after the surrender of her forces in the east and territorial losses in the west (later ceded back to Pakistan following the 1972 Simla Agreement).
Piffer units fought in both east and west. The 31st FF was raised in November 1971, as Pakistan's first national service
battalion. It was deployed at Lahore and in the Khemkaran Sector. In East Pakistan, the 4th FF was present at the Battle of Hilli
, where it held its position until ordered out. Major Muhammad Akram
of the 4th FF was posthumously awarded Pakistan's highest award for gallantry, the Nishan-e-Haider
. Other units which operated from East Pakistan were the 12th, 13th, 15th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 38th FF. They became prisoners of war once Dhakka fell to the Indian army in December 1971.
In West Pakistan, the 11th Cavalry saw heavy fighting in the Chhamb sector. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 17th and 33rd FF operated in the Kashmir sector, and in the Sialkot sector, the 19th, 23rd, 27th, 29th, 35th and 37th FF took part in fighting. An Indian commander, Lieutenant-Colonel V P Airy, of the 3rd Grenadier Guards said of the 35th FF: "35 FF's attack won their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Akram Raja, a posthumous Hilal-e-Jurat, with the highest compliment a gallant soldier could receive".
The 8th and 18th FF fought on the Lahore front. In the Sulemanki sector, the 6th FF gained fame when it captured the Gurmukh Khera Bridge on Sabuna Drain. Major Shabbir Sharif
, a holder of the Sitara-e-Jurat
from the 1965 conflict, was awarded a posthumous Nishan-e-Haider. The 36th FF also fought in the Sulemanki sector, and the 20th, 21st, and 39th FF saw action in the Rajhisthan sector.
, both Pakistan and India lay claim to the Siachen Glacier
, which lies in the eastern Karakorum
mountain range at altitudes of up to 18875 feet (5,753.1 m). Following a period of tension, in April 1984 the Indian Army
launched Operation Meghdoot
with the aim of capturing the glacier. Pakistan responded in kind, but Indian troops had already occupied the major mountain passes west of the glacier and captured many strategic points. Both countries established military posts, and from 1984 until 2003, intermittent fighting took place. The conflict is remarkable for the harsh conditions under which it was fought—on average, one Pakistani soldier died every fourth day, with most of the casualties caused by the severe climate.
A number of Piffer units were deployed to the world's highest battleground, including the 3rd, 4th, 8th, 24th, 26th, 28th, 31st, 36th, 38th, 39th and 47th FF. In addition, some Northern Light Infantry
Battalions, who were the first to arrive, were led by Piffer officers. Frontier Force casualties in the conflict include three officers, two junior commissioned officers, and 81 other ranks killed in action.
in Jammu and Kashmir
lies on the Line of Control
(LOC), the de facto border between Pakistan and India in the Kashmir region. In May 1999 elements in the Pakistani Armed Forces covertly trained and sent troops and paramilitary
forces into Indian territory. The aim was to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh
, and cause Indian forces to withdraw from the Siachen Glacier, thus forcing India to negotiate a settlement of the broader Kashmir dispute. The Kargil Conflict was triggered when Pakistan occupied around 130 Indian observation posts on the Indian side of the LOC. As India responded, regular Pakistan army units were called up.
The 19th, 33rd, 38th and 44th FF battalions, and some Piffer officers serving in Northern Light Infantry battalions, participated in the conflict. In total four officers and twenty four other ranks were killed in action. The war ended after the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif
, agreed to call the troops back on July 4, 1999, after meeting with U.S President
Bill Clinton
.
The Frontier Force Regiment has served outside Pakistan in various multinational and peacekeeping roles. From 1981 to 1988, the Piffer's mechanised infantry battalions were stationed at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
, as part of a Pakistani armoured brigade allocated for the defence of the Islamic holy land
. However, the brigade was withdrawn after the Government of Pakistan
was unable to accede to a Saudi request that only Sunnis be included in the troops sent to their land. According to the then President of Pakistan, General Zia-ul-Haq, there was no discrimination in the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Pakistan formed part of the multinational coalition force that participated in the 1991 Gulf War
. Deploying up to 5,500 troops in a strictly defensive role, the Pakistani contingent included the 63rd FF battalion, which was stationed at Tabuk and Arar
until the cessation of hostilities. The early 1990s also saw Pakistan's increased participation in UN
peacekeeping operations. In 1992, the 7th FF battalion spearheaded the UN military mission to Somalia
. The US Marine landing on Mogadishu
beach was in an area secured by the 7th FF, and the 5th, 8th and 15th FF were also deployed to the region. On October 3, 1993, the 15th FF's Quick Reaction Force
participated in the Pakistani-led rescue operation of a force of US Rangers that had become pinned down in Mogadishu; contrary to the fictionalised depiction of events in the movie Black Hawk Down, a number of Rangers were taken to safety in the 15th's armoured personnel carriers.
are known as Colonels in Chief. The FF regiment has only two Colonels in Chief since its birth.
|- valign=top
|
bestowed upon Piffers are listed here:
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
|+Honours & Awards
|-
! style="background:#efefef;" | War
! style="background:#efefef;" | NH
! style="background:#efefef;" | HJ
! style="background:#efefef;" | SJ
! style="background:#efefef;" | TJ
! style="background:#efefef;" | Sitara-e-Basalat
! style="background:#efefef;" | Tangha-e-Basalat
|-
| 1948 War
| -
| 3
| 9
|166
| -
| -
|-
| 1965 War
| -
| 2
| 284
| 313
| -
| -
|-
| 1971 War
| 2
| 2
| 34
| 44
| -
| -
|-
| Siachen
| -
| -
| 133
| -
| 133
| 144
|-
| Kargil
| 2
| -
| 8
| 2
| 1
| 3
|-
| Miscellaneous
| -
| -
| 5
| -
| 62
| 107
|-
|Total
|
|}
is the highest military award given posthumously for valour, in Pakistan. The recipients of Nishan-e-Haider from the Frontier Force Regiment are:
When the Indo-Pak War of 1971 broke out, Major Muhammad Akram was commanding a company of 4th FF battalion. His company was involved in the Battle of Hilli
. On the opposite side India had an Infantry brigade with the support of a tank squadron which were making way for the 20th Mountain Division. Major Akram and his men fought for a whole fortnight against enemy who was superior both in number and fire power. Hilli was the only battle sector where the fight continued even after the Fall of Dhaka on December 16, 1971. Major Akram died in action while defending in an epic manner after defying surrender. For his sacrifice he was posthumously awarded Nishan-e-Haider.
On December 3, 1971, Major Shabbir Sharif who was commanding a company of 6th FF Regiment near Sulemanki headworks, was assigned the task of capturing the high ground overlooking the Gurmukh Khera and Beriwala villages in the Sulemanki sector. On the opposite side India had more than a company of the Assam Regiment
which was supported by a squadron of tanks.
Also among the hurdles were an enemy minefield and a defensive canal, 30 feet (9.1 m) wide and 10 feet (3 m) deep. Shabbir Sharif succeeded in capturing the area by early evening on December 3. In this fight 43 Indian soldiers were killed, 28 were taken prisoner and four tanks were destroyed.
Shabbir Sharif repelled repeated counter attacks by the opposing forces for the next three days and nights and kept strategically better position, holding two Indian battalions at bay. On the night between December 5 and December 6, during one of the enemy attacks, Sharif hopped out of his trench, killed the enemy Company Commander of 4th Jat Regiment
and recovered important documents from his possession. In another attack on the morning of December 6, Shabbir Sharif took over an anti tank gun from his gunner, and while engaging enemy tanks, he was killed in action by a direct hit from a tank. Major Shabbir Sharif already a recipient of Sitara-e-Jurat
, was posthumously awarded Nishan-e-Haider for his sacrifice.
is the third highest military award given for valor to Armed forces personnel of Pakistan. Piffers who received Hilal-e-Jurat are:
is the highest battle order of Britain
, awarded for valour. As the Frontier Force regiment still maintains the lineage of its predecessor regiments, so this award was received by following Piffers:
is the third highest battle honour of Britain
, awarded for valour. The Frontier Force regiment still maintains the lineage of its predecessor regiments so this award was received by following Piffers:
was awarded by the Republic of France for securing areas of Indo-China in 1946, to the only Piffer to have received this distinction:
Piffers who received the Legion of Merit are:
Piffers who received the MBE Military are:
, the annual Muslims pilgrimage. Before 1970, each Piffer unit had its own motto but on the whole the regiment had no motto, so it was decided at the Piffer Conference in 1970 to adopt Labbaik as the regimental motto. The official meaning of this motto is
Piffers have the same Khaki
uniform
as in the other regiments of Pakistan Army, except their rank colour which is black
with red
background and a badge with FF Regiment written on it having the same colour combination, on the shoulder strap
. Also the colour of beret
of Piffers is rifle green with the insignia of the regiment at front. Piffers use Sam Browne Belt, designed by General Sir Sam Browne which is black in colour. The Battle Dress
of the regiment is camouflage with same changes as are in the Khaki uniform.
drama serial Alpha Bravo Charlie
is in the FF Regiment, specifically 9 FF.
; 1st Bn - The Rifles
; 2nd and 13th Bn - The Royal Welsh
; 3rd Bn - The Royal Anglian Regiment; 5th Bn - The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment); 9th Bn - The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border); 15th Bn - The King's Own Calgary Regiment; 15th Bn
Border guard
The border guard, frontier guard, border patrol, border police, or frontier police of a country is a national security agency that performs border control, i.e., enforces the security of the country's national borders....
see: Frontier Corps
Frontier Corps
The Frontier Corps is a federally-controlled paramilitary force of Pakistan, recruited mostly from the tribal areas along the western borders and led by officers from the Pakistan Army...
The Frontier Force Regiment (popularly known as the "Piffers" or the "FF") is one of six Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s in the 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...
. At present, the regiment consists of 67 battalions and has its regimental depot at Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Abbottabad is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, northeast of the capital Islamabad and east of Peshawar at an altitude of and is the capital of the Abbottabad District...
in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For that reason Abbottabad is also known as Home of Piffers. Currently the regiment includes both mechanised
Mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers , or infantry fighting vehicles for transport and combat ....
and motorised
Motorised infantry
In NATO and most other western countries, motorised infantry is infantry which is transported by trucks or other motor vehicles. It is distinguished from mechanized infantry, which is carried in armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, or infantry fighting vehicles...
infantry battalions. Other than these there are also some Armoured and Artillery battalions which were raised from the strength of Frontier Force or one of its predecessor regiments.
History
The Frontier Force Regiment is Pakistan's third oldest regiment after the PunjabPunjab Regiment (Pakistan)
The Punjab Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army. The modern regiment was formed in 1956 from an amalgamation of the 1st Punjab Regiment, 14th Punjab Regiment, 15th Punjab Regiment and 16th Punjab Regiment...
and Baloch
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...
. The regiment was raised in 1957 through the amalgamation of three Pakistan Army regiments, all with their origins in two regiments which had been transferred to Pakistan from the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
at the time of the partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
in 1947. These two regiments were the Frontier Force Regiment and the Frontier Force Rifles. The third component, the Pathan Regiment, had been raised after partition from elements of the former two. The merger took place when a major reorganisation of regiments was carried out in the Pakistan Army.
The FF battalions took active part not only in battles on Pakistan's borders but also served extensively overseas, in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, and as part of United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping operations
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. In Somalia, some of the Piffer battalions also participated in the world renowned operations of Battle of Mogadishu (1993). This battle history earned Piffers two Nishan-e-Haider
Nishan-e-Haider
Nishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947...
, the highest gallantry award in Pakistan, and many other awards too.
The battalions are divided under independent formations and are commanded by their formation commander. The training and record keeping is done by the regimental depot, which is usually commanded by an officer of the rank Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. The regiment's highest ranking officer is given the honorary title of "Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels...
" and Colonel-in-Chief
Colonel-in-Chief
In the various Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its patron. This position is distinct from that of Colonel of the Regiment. They do not have an operational role. They are however kept informed of all important activities of the regiment, and pay occasional visits to its...
, if the highest ranking officer is the Chief of Army Staff.
Origins
12th Frontier Force Regiment
The 12th Frontier Force Regiment was part of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922. It consisted of five regular battalions; numbered 1 to 5 and the 10th Battalion. During the Second World War a further ten battalions were raised. In 1945 the prenomial "12th" was dropped when the British...
, the Frontier Force Rifles
13th Frontier Force Rifles
The 13th Frontier Force Rifles was part of the British Indian Army, and after 1947, Pakistan Army. It was formed in 1922 by amalgamation of five existing regiments and consisted of five regular battalions.-History:...
and the Pathan Regiment, all of which had their origins in the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
. During the 1840s, after the first
First Anglo-Sikh War
The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company between 1845 and 1846. It resulted in partial subjugation of the Sikh kingdom.-Background and causes of the war:...
and second
Second Anglo-Sikh War
The Second Anglo-Sikh War took place in 1848 and 1849, between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company. It resulted in the subjugation of the Sikh Empire, and the annexation of the Punjab and what subsequently became the North-West Frontier Province by the East India Company.-Background...
Anglo-Sikh Wars, Colonel Sir Henry Lawrence
Henry Montgomery Lawrence
Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence was a British soldier and statesman in India, who died defending Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny.-Career:Lawrence was the brother of John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence and was born at Matara, Ceylon...
, the Honourable East India Company's agent to the Lahore Durbar (brother of the later Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab Sir John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence
John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence
John Laird Mair Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence, GCB, GCSI, PC , known as Sir John Lawrence, Bt., between 1858 and 1869, was an Englishman who became a prominent British Imperial statesman who served as Viceroy of India from 1864 to 1869.-Early life:Lawrence came from Richmond, North Yorkshire...
) sanctioned the raising of the Corps of Guides and a number of infantry regiments by incorporating veterans from the disbanded Sikh Khalsa army. During the early 1850s some of Lawrence's Sikh regiments were designated the "Punjab Irregular Force
Punjab Irregular Force
The Punjab Irregular Force was created in 1851, to protect the NW frontier of British India. It was termed "Irregular" because it was outside the control of the Regular British armies of the 3 Presidencies of Bengal, Bombay or Madras, but was under the control of the British chief magistrate of...
", giving rise to the "Piffer" nickname which the Regiment carries to the present day, and through a series of reorganisations that culminated in 1922, these units would eventually become the 12th Frontier Force Regiment
12th Frontier Force Regiment
The 12th Frontier Force Regiment was part of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922. It consisted of five regular battalions; numbered 1 to 5 and the 10th Battalion. During the Second World War a further ten battalions were raised. In 1945 the prenomial "12th" was dropped when the British...
and 13th Frontier Force Rifles
13th Frontier Force Rifles
The 13th Frontier Force Rifles was part of the British Indian Army, and after 1947, Pakistan Army. It was formed in 1922 by amalgamation of five existing regiments and consisted of five regular battalions.-History:...
. The use of the pre-fixing regimental numbers was discontinued in 1945, the two regiments becoming the Frontier Force Regiment and the Frontier Force Rifles, and both regiments were transferred to Pakistan by the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1947, on the granting of independence
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
to British India.
The Pathan Regiment was raised after partition from the 4th battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment and the 4th and 15th battalions of the Frontier Force Rifles. Initially the regimental depot was at Dera Ismail Khan
Dera Ismail Khan
Dera Ismail Khan is a city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is situated on the west bank of the Indus River, west of Lahore and northwest of Multan. The city is the capital of the district and tehsil of the same name. In Pakistan, its name is often abbreviated to D. I...
but it relocated to Kohat
Kohat
Kohat is a medium sized town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located at 33°35'13N 71°26'29E with an altitude of 489 metres and is the capital of Kohat District. The town centres around a British-era fort, various bazaars, and a military cantonment. A British-built narrow gauge...
in 1949 and was later merged into the Frontier Force Regiment with its regimental depot at Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Abbottabad is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, northeast of the capital Islamabad and east of Peshawar at an altitude of and is the capital of the Abbottabad District...
. Fifteen of the modern Frontier Force Regiment's 52 battalions trace their origins back to British Indian Army units, as tabulated below.
| Battalion | Founder units |
|---|---|
| 1st | 6th Royal Bn Frontier Force Rifles; 59th Royal Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force) 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force) The 59 Scinde Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army.The regiment is one of the most reputed outfits of British Indian Army. It was raised in 1843, as the Scinde Camel Corps. In 1856, it was incorporated into the Punjab Irregular Force... |
| 2nd | 5th Bn Frontier Force Regiment; 1st Bn QVO Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) Lumsden's Infantry Guides Infantry The Guides Infantry, or 2nd Battalion The Frontier Force Regiment, is an infantry battalion of the Pakistan Army. It was raised in 1846 as part of the famous Corps of Guides... |
| 3rd | 1st Bn (PWO Sikhs) Frontier Force Regiment; 51st The Prince of Wales' Own Sikhs (Frontier Force) 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force) The 51st Sikhs was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1846 as the 1st Regiment of Infantry The Frontier Brigade. It was designated as the 51st Sikhs in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment in 1922... |
| 4th | 2nd Bn (Sikhs) Frontier Force Regiment; 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force) 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force) The 52nd Sikhs was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1846 as the 2nd Regiment of Infantry The Frontier Brigade. It was designated as the 52nd Sikhs in 1903 and became 2nd Battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment in 1922... |
| 5th | 3rd Royal Bn (Sikhs) Frontier Force Regiment; 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) The 53rd Sikhs were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1847 as the 3rd Regiment of Infantry The Frontier Brigade. It was designated as the 53rd Sikhs in 1903 and became 3rd Battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment in 1922... |
| 6th | 4th Bn (Sikhs) Frontier Force Regiment; 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) The 54th Sikhs were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1846 as the 4th Regiment of Infantry The Frontier Brigade. It was designated as the 54th Sikhs in 1903 and became 4th Battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment in 1922... |
| 7th | 1st Bn Frontier Force Rifles; 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force) The 55th Coke's Rifles was a regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1849 as the 1st Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 55th Coke's Rifles in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles in 1922... |
| 8th | 2nd Punjab Infantry, 2/13 Frontier Force Rifles, 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force) 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force) The 56th Punjabi Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1849 as the 2nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 56th Punjabi Rifles in 1906 and became 2nd Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles in 1922... , Commonly known as BHAIBANDS |
| 9th | 4th Bn Frontier Force Rifles; 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force) |
| 10th | 5th bn Frontier Force Rifles; 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force) 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force) The 58th Vaughan's Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1849 as the 5th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 58th Vaughan's Rifles in 1903 and became 5th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles in 1922... |
| 11th | 1st Bn Pathan Regiment; 4th bn Frontier Force Regiment; 54th Sikhs (Frontier Force) |
| 12th | 3rd Bn Pathan Regiment; 15th bn Frontier Force Rifles |
| 13th | 8th Bn Frontier Force Regiment |
| 14th | 9th Bn Frontier Force Regiment |
| 15th | 2nd Bn Pathan Regiment; 4th bn Frontier Force Rifles; 57th Wilde's Rifles |
| Note: The 10th (Training) battalion of the original Frontier Force Regiment (originally raised as 2nd battalion QVO Corps of Guides during World War I) became the Regimental Centre of the new merged regiment. At the end of World War II the war-raised 9th battalion, instead of being disbanded, was used to re-form the 2nd Battalion (Sikhs) Frontier Force Regiment which had been annihilated in Malaya during the war. On 1 October 1948 a new 9th battalion was raised and it was this unit which was to become the 14th battalion of the merged regiment. |
|
Composition
At present the Frontier Force Regiment musters 52 infantryInfantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalions, some of which are mechanised or motorised
Mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers , or infantry fighting vehicles for transport and combat ....
with the remainder known colloquially as "foot infantry". Each battalion is subdivided into four companies, normally named Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. The regiment also includes armoured and artillery units, established from among its strength. All Piffer battalions serve alongside other 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...
units in mixed formations; operational control resides with the appropriate brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
, whereas administrative control remains with the Frontier Force regimental depot. The regiment recruits mostly from the Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
tribes of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and is often called a Pashtun Regiment, although officers and other ranks from all over Pakistan have served and continue to serve in the regiment. Prior to 2000, the Piffers had been standardised to include equal numbers of Pashtuns and Punjabi
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
s in its non-officer ranks, but in 2000, this composition was amended to include 10% Sindhis
Sindhi people
Sindhis are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh, a province Formerly of British India, now in Pakistan. Today Sindhis that live in Pakistan belong to various religious denominations including Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity...
and 5% Balochis, reducing the quota of Punjabis to 35%. This measure was intended to diminish segregation within the Army.
Headquarters
The regiment is currently based in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's city of AbbottabadAbbottabad
Abbottabad is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, northeast of the capital Islamabad and east of Peshawar at an altitude of and is the capital of the Abbottabad District...
, which also houses the depots of the Baloch Regiment
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...
and the Army Medical Corps. The city was originally the headquarters of the Frontier Force Rifles prior to their merger with the Frontier Force Regiment and the Pathan Regiment (then based at Sialkot
Sialkot
Sialkot is a city in Pakistan situated in the north-east of the Punjab province at the foothills of snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. It is the capital of Sialkot District. The city is about north-west of Lahore and only a few kilometers from Indian-controlled Jammu.The...
and Kohat
Kohat
Kohat is a medium sized town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located at 33°35'13N 71°26'29E with an altitude of 489 metres and is the capital of Kohat District. The town centres around a British-era fort, various bazaars, and a military cantonment. A British-built narrow gauge...
respectively). The Abbottabad depot is responsible for the regiment's basic recruit training, and since 1981 has housed the Piffer Museum, which records the Piffer's regimental history. The museum's collection includes medals, weapons, dress and insignia, portraits and flags, history books, albums, paintings, cutlery and musical instruments. Abbottabad is also home to the Piffer Memorial, a 28 feet (8.5 m) tall obelisk built of sandstone known as Yadgar-e-Shuhada. This was originally erected at Kohat in 1924, but in 1964 was moved to Abbottabad on the instructions of General Muhammad Musa, the then Commander-in-Chief
Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army
The Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army, shortly abbreviated as COAS, is the highest staff post in the Pakistan Army, held by the senior 4-star rank officer. It is the highest and most prestigious 4-star assignment, unless the 4-star officer is appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of...
of the Pakistan Army. It was unveiled in Abbottabad in April 1965. A Roll of Honour
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
is displayed around the memorial on plates, and wreath-laying ceremonies are held on important national days and by visitors. A replica of the memorial was built at its original location at Kohat in 2001.
Kashmir dispute
Since PartitionPartition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
in 1947, 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...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
have fought three major wars and one minor war, and have been involved in an ongoing conflict since 1984. The casus belli
Casus belli
is a Latin expression meaning the justification for acts of war. means "incident", "rupture" or indeed "case", while means bellic...
for all these is the dispute
Kashmir conflict
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the northwesternmost region of South Asia....
between the two countries over the status of the state of Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Operation Gibraltar
Operation Gibraltar was the codename given to the strategy of Pakistan to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of India, and start a rebellion against Indian rule...
to forment a popular uprising against Indian control in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
. However, the operation did not produce the hoped-for results, and following a period of escalating clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops and irregulars from April to September, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 began. Also known as the Second Kashmir War (the first
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
The India-Pakistan War of 1947-48, sometimes known as the First Kashmir War, was fought between India and Pakistan over the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu from 1947 to 1948. It was the first of four wars fought between the two newly independent nations...
having been fought in 1947), the five-week conflict led to territorial gains and losses, and caused thousands of casualties, on both sides, before ending in a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
mandated ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
.
Frontier Force armoured, artillery and infantry units were present in all sectors, including Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
, Chhamb
Battle of Chamb and Dogra
The post of Borajal is at the intersection of Pakistan Azad Kashmir and Occupied Kashmir at the height of 950 feet from sea level. The surrounding area is flat also the border of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir make this point very important from Indian defensive point of view the whole can be scanned...
, Sialkot
Sialkot
Sialkot is a city in Pakistan situated in the north-east of the Punjab province at the foothills of snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. It is the capital of Sialkot District. The city is about north-west of Lahore and only a few kilometers from Indian-controlled Jammu.The...
, 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...
, Kasur
Kasur
Kasur , the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony...
-Khemkaran
Khemkaran
Khem Karan is a town and a nagar panchayat in Tarn Taran district in the Indian state of Punjab. It was the site of a major tank battle in 1965 resulting it also being known as the graveyard of tanks....
and Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
. All three Piffer armoured regiments gave a good account of themselves in the Sialkot sector, and the 11th Cavalry also saw action in Chhamb. The 1st SP Field Artillery provided fire support in the battle of Chawinda
Battle of Chawinda
The Battle of Chawinda was a part of the Sialkot Campaign in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It was one of the largest tank battles since the Battle of Kursk in World War II....
, losing their commanding officer in the process—the unit was subsequently awarded red collar-piping in recognition of their performance. The 6th and 12th FF were involved in the advance on the Chhamb-Jaurian-Akhnur axis, and the 6th FF also fought in the Sialkot sector, along with the Guides Cavalry, the 11th Cavalry, and the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 13th and 14th FF. The 7th, 11th, 15th and 16th FF took part in the defence of Lahore; the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 10th FF took part in the capture of Khem Karan in the Kasur Sector, and the 8th and 18th FF made significant gains in the Rajhistan Sector. Some fighting continued after the ceasefire, and two months later in the Rajhistan Sector, the 23rd FF re-captured the Sadhewala Post.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
In 1971, following a divisive election result, civil warBangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
broke out in the former East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
(now Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
) between the West Pakistan
West Pakistan
West Pakistan , common name West-Pakistan , in the period between its establishment on 22 November 1955 to disintegration on December 16, 1971. This period, during which, Pakistan was divided, ended when East-Pakistan was disintegrated and succeeded to become which is now what is known as Bangladesh...
i administrative authorities and the majority local population. India, to where many of East Pakistan's exiled political leaders and refugees from the fighting had fled, provided support for the dissidents including arming and training a Bangladeshi irregular force (the Mukti Bahini
Mukti Bahini
Mukti Bahini , also termed as the "Freedom Fighters" or FFs, collectively refers to the armed organizations who fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was dynamically formed by Bengali regulars and civilians after the proclamation of Bangladesh's independence on...
). To relieve pressure on their forces in the east, in December 1971 Pakistani forces launched a pre-emptive attack on India from the west, which was only partially successful and met with massive retaliation. Fighting on two fronts, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire after the surrender of her forces in the east and territorial losses in the west (later ceded back to Pakistan following the 1972 Simla Agreement).
Piffer units fought in both east and west. The 31st FF was raised in November 1971, as Pakistan's first national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
battalion. It was deployed at Lahore and in the Khemkaran Sector. In East Pakistan, the 4th FF was present at the Battle of Hilli
Battle of Hilli
The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as the most pitched battle that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh...
, where it held its position until ordered out. Major Muhammad Akram
Muhammad Akram
Major Muhammad Akram , was a Pakistan Army officer who was posthumously awarded the Pakistan military's highest decoration, the Nishan-e-Haider, for his actions during the 1971 Indo-Pak...
of the 4th FF was posthumously awarded Pakistan's highest award for gallantry, the Nishan-e-Haider
Nishan-e-Haider
Nishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947...
. Other units which operated from East Pakistan were the 12th, 13th, 15th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 38th FF. They became prisoners of war once Dhakka fell to the Indian army in December 1971.
In West Pakistan, the 11th Cavalry saw heavy fighting in the Chhamb sector. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 17th and 33rd FF operated in the Kashmir sector, and in the Sialkot sector, the 19th, 23rd, 27th, 29th, 35th and 37th FF took part in fighting. An Indian commander, Lieutenant-Colonel V P Airy, of the 3rd Grenadier Guards said of the 35th FF: "35 FF's attack won their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Akram Raja, a posthumous Hilal-e-Jurat, with the highest compliment a gallant soldier could receive".
The 8th and 18th FF fought on the Lahore front. In the Sulemanki sector, the 6th FF gained fame when it captured the Gurmukh Khera Bridge on Sabuna Drain. Major Shabbir Sharif
Shabbir Sharif
Major Shabbir Sharif Rana was a Pakistani officer who received both the Sitara-e-Jurat and Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery.-Early life and military career:...
, a holder of the Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
from the 1965 conflict, was awarded a posthumous Nishan-e-Haider. The 36th FF also fought in the Sulemanki sector, and the 20th, 21st, and 39th FF saw action in the Rajhisthan sector.
Siachen Conflict
As a result of a vague demarcation of territory in the 1972 Simla AccordSimla Accord
Simla Accord can refer to*Simla Accord , signed in 1914, to purported to settle a dispute over the boundary line between inner and outer Tibet....
, both Pakistan and India lay claim to the Siachen Glacier
Siachen Glacier
The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains at about , just east of the Line of Control between India-Pakistan. India controls all of the Siachen Glacier itself, including all tributary glaciers. At long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and...
, which lies in the eastern Karakorum
Karakorum
Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, and of the Northern Yuan in the 14-15th century. Its ruins lie in the northwestern corner of the Övörkhangai Province of Mongolia, near today's town of Kharkhorin, and adjacent to the Erdene Zuu monastery...
mountain range at altitudes of up to 18875 feet (5,753.1 m). Following a period of tension, in April 1984 the 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...
launched Operation Meghdoot
Operation Meghdoot
Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the attack launched by the Indian Military to capture the Siachen Glacier in the disputed Kashmir region, precipitating the Siachen Conflict. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was unique as the first assault launched in the world's highest...
with the aim of capturing the glacier. Pakistan responded in kind, but Indian troops had already occupied the major mountain passes west of the glacier and captured many strategic points. Both countries established military posts, and from 1984 until 2003, intermittent fighting took place. The conflict is remarkable for the harsh conditions under which it was fought—on average, one Pakistani soldier died every fourth day, with most of the casualties caused by the severe climate.
A number of Piffer units were deployed to the world's highest battleground, including the 3rd, 4th, 8th, 24th, 26th, 28th, 31st, 36th, 38th, 39th and 47th FF. In addition, some Northern Light Infantry
Northern Light Infantry
The Northern Light Infantry is a Light Infantry Regiment of the Pakistan Army. Headquartered in Gilgit, the capital of Northern Areas, Pakistan, it is the main force protecting the strategically important northern areas of Pakistan. The majority of this regiment's personnel come from native...
Battalions, who were the first to arrive, were led by Piffer officers. Frontier Force casualties in the conflict include three officers, two junior commissioned officers, and 81 other ranks killed in action.
Kargil Conflict
The town and district of KargilKargil District
Kargil is a district of Ladakh, Kashmir, India. Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Baltistan to the west, and Kashmir valley to the south. Zanskar is part of Kargil district along with Suru, Wakha and Dras valleys...
in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
lies on 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...
(LOC), the de facto border between Pakistan and India in the Kashmir region. In May 1999 elements in the Pakistani Armed Forces covertly trained and sent troops and paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
forces into Indian territory. The aim was to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh
Ladakh
Ladakh is a region of Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of the Republic of India. It lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent...
, and cause Indian forces to withdraw from the Siachen Glacier, thus forcing India to negotiate a settlement of the broader Kashmir dispute. The Kargil Conflict was triggered when Pakistan occupied around 130 Indian observation posts on the Indian side of the LOC. As India responded, regular Pakistan army units were called up.
The 19th, 33rd, 38th and 44th FF battalions, and some Piffer officers serving in Northern Light Infantry battalions, participated in the conflict. In total four officers and twenty four other ranks were killed in action. The war ended after the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
, agreed to call the troops back on July 4, 1999, after meeting with U.S President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
.
International duty
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, as part of a Pakistani armoured brigade allocated for the defence of the Islamic holy land
Hejaz
al-Hejaz, also Hijaz is a region in the west of present-day Saudi Arabia. Defined primarily by its western border on the Red Sea, it extends from Haql on the Gulf of Aqaba to Jizan. Its main city is Jeddah, but it is probably better known for the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina...
. However, the brigade was withdrawn after the Government of Pakistan
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
was unable to accede to a Saudi request that only Sunnis be included in the troops sent to their land. According to the then President of Pakistan, General Zia-ul-Haq, there was no discrimination in the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Pakistan formed part of the multinational coalition force that participated in the 1991 Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. Deploying up to 5,500 troops in a strictly defensive role, the Pakistani contingent included the 63rd FF battalion, which was stationed at Tabuk and Arar
Arar
Mustafa Wahbi Al-Tal, better known as Arar , was a Jordanian poet, lawyer, teacher, judge, political agitator and philosopher....
until the cessation of hostilities. The early 1990s also saw Pakistan's increased participation in UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping operations. In 1992, the 7th FF battalion spearheaded the UN military mission to Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. The US Marine landing on Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
beach was in an area secured by the 7th FF, and the 5th, 8th and 15th FF were also deployed to the region. On October 3, 1993, the 15th FF's Quick Reaction Force
Quick reaction force
Quick Reaction Force or is a military unit, generally platoon-sized in the United States Marine Corps, that is capable of rapid response to developing situations. They are to have equipment ready, to respond to any type of emergency, typically within ten minutes or less, although this is based on...
participated in the Pakistani-led rescue operation of a force of US Rangers that had become pinned down in Mogadishu; contrary to the fictionalised depiction of events in the movie Black Hawk Down, a number of Rangers were taken to safety in the 15th's armoured personnel carriers.
Colonels in Chief
The officers of the regiment who are promoted to the designation of Chief of Army StaffChief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army
The Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army, shortly abbreviated as COAS, is the highest staff post in the Pakistan Army, held by the senior 4-star rank officer. It is the highest and most prestigious 4-star assignment, unless the 4-star officer is appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of...
are known as Colonels in Chief. The FF regiment has only two Colonels in Chief since its birth.
- General Muhammad Musa, HJ, HPk, HQA, MBE (Dates to please be provided by others who know them)
- General Abdul Waheed Kakar HI (M), SBt. May 18, 1993 - May 17, 1997
Colonel Commandants
The Colonel Commandant is the highest ranked officer in service of the regiment. The Colonel Commandants since the creation of the regiment are listed below:| Serial Number | Name | Decorations | Term of Appointment | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major General Mian Hayaud Din | HJ, MBE, MC. | May 8, 1954 - May 6, 1956 | 6 FF & 14 FF |
| 2 | Lieutenant General Khalid Masud Sheikh. | HI (M) | October 1, 1957 - June 30, 1962 | 13 FF |
| 3 | General Muhammad Muhammad Musa | HJ, HPk, HQA, MBE | October 1, 1962 - February 5, 1965 | 1 FF |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Altaf Qadir | MBE | February 6, 1965 - August 27, 1969 | 6 FF |
| 5 | Lieutenant General Attiqur Rahman | HPk, HQA, MC | August 28, 1969 - November 19, 1973 | 6 FF |
| 6 | General Muhammad Iqbal Khan Iqbal Khan (general) General Muhammad Iqbal Khan, NI, SBt, is a former four star general of the Pakistan Army who stayed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee from 1980 to 1984 during the martial regime of Chief Martial Law Administrator and Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army General Zia-ul-Haq... |
NI (M), HI (M), SBt | August 21, 1978 - March 17, 1985 | 2 FF |
| 7 | Lieutenant General Khushdil Khan Afridi | HI (M), SBt | March 18, 1985 - January 6, 1986 | 10 FF, 12 FF & 18 FF |
| 8 | Lieutenant General Ahmed Kamal Khan | HI (M), SI (M), SBt | May 24, 1987 - May 23, 1991 | 10 FF |
| 9 | Lieutenant General Imran Ullah Khan Imran Ullah Khan Lieutenant General Imran Ullah Khan is a retired Pakistan Army general. He remained the Governor of Balochistan province in PPP-led government from May 1994 to May 1997.-Early life and education:... |
HI (M), SI (M), SBt | May 24, 1991 - May 22, 1995 | 5 FF & 40 FF |
| 10 | Lieutenant General Mumtaz Gul | HI (M), TBt | May 23, 1995 - April 24, 1999 | 2 FF, 3 FF & 19 FF |
| 11 | Lieutenant General Tahir Ali Qureshi | HI (M), SBt | May 10, 1999 - May 16, 2001 | 13 FF |
| 12 | Lieutenant General Mushtaq Hussain | HI (M) | May 17, 2001 - | 4 FF |
| 13 | Lieutenant General Munir Hafiez Munir Hafiez Lieutenant-General Munir Papoo Hafiez" is a retired Pakistan Army general and the former chairman of the National Accountability Bureau of the Government of Pakistan, the body charged with fighting corruption. Before his appointment in 2001 he served in the Pakistani Army for 38 years. He was... |
HI (M) | 7 FF | |
| 14 | Lieutenant General Syed Sabahat Hussain | HI (M) | 2 FF | |
Regimental Commandants
{||- valign=top
|
- Colonel Syed Amjad Ali Shah
- Colonel Malik Sher Afzal Khan
- Colonel Hamid Ullah Khan
- Colonel Mahboob Khan TQA
- Colonel G M K Junjua
- Colonel M Mumtaz Khan SJ
- Colonel Mir Ijaz Mahmood SJ
- Brigadier Mir Ijaz Mahmood SJ
- Brigadier Jahanzeb Khan
- Brigadier Muhammad Aslam
- Colonel K A Shamshad
- Brigadier R A S Bokhari
- Brigadier Fateh Khan
- Brigadier Ghulam Rabbani Khan
- Brigadier Jahanzeb Khan
- Brigadier Mir Abdul Nayeem
- Brigadier M Mumtaz Malik SJ
- Brigadier Salahuddin Rana
- Brigadier Muneeb-ur-Rehman Farooqui SI(M)
- Brigadier Muhammad Tariq Khattak
- Brigadier Zaffar Hayat
- Brigadier Fazle Qadir T.Bt
- Brigadier Muhammad Ehsan
- Brigadier Mansoor Hamid
- Brigadier Muhammad Ishaq
- Brigadier Arshad Shah
- Colonel Malik Abdul Ghaffar
- Brigadier Mukarram Khan
- Brigadier Obaidullah Niazi
- Brigadier Sikander Javed
- Brigadier M. Ghazanfar
- Brigadier Tariq Khattak (present/updated till July 2011)
Battle honours
Piffers have won many honours for their gallantry deeds in each battle. They were also awarded foreign medals before the partition of Pakistan, including Victoria Cross. The Pakistani medals and honoursAwards and decorations of the Pakistan military
The awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces recognize a service member's service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Pakistan armed forces...
bestowed upon Piffers are listed here:
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
|+Honours & Awards
|-
! style="background:#efefef;" | War
! style="background:#efefef;" | NH
Nishan-e-Haider
Nishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947...
! style="background:#efefef;" | HJ
! style="background:#efefef;" | SJ
Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
! style="background:#efefef;" | TJ
! style="background:#efefef;" | Sitara-e-Basalat
! style="background:#efefef;" | Tangha-e-Basalat
|-
| 1948 War
| -
| 3
| 9
|166
| -
| -
|-
| 1965 War
| -
| 2
| 284
| 313
| -
| -
|-
| 1971 War
| 2
| 2
| 34
| 44
| -
| -
|-
| Siachen
| -
| -
| 133
| -
| 133
| 144
|-
| Kargil
| 2
| -
| 8
| 2
| 1
| 3
|-
| Miscellaneous
| -
| -
| 5
| -
| 62
| 107
|-
|Total
|
|}
Nishan-e-Haider Recipients
Nishan-e-HaiderNishan-e-Haider
Nishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947...
is the highest military award given posthumously for valour, in Pakistan. The recipients of Nishan-e-Haider from the Frontier Force Regiment are:
- Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed (4th FF)
When the Indo-Pak War of 1971 broke out, Major Muhammad Akram was commanding a company of 4th FF battalion. His company was involved in the Battle of Hilli
Battle of Hilli
The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as the most pitched battle that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh...
. On the opposite side India had an Infantry brigade with the support of a tank squadron which were making way for the 20th Mountain Division. Major Akram and his men fought for a whole fortnight against enemy who was superior both in number and fire power. Hilli was the only battle sector where the fight continued even after the Fall of Dhaka on December 16, 1971. Major Akram died in action while defending in an epic manner after defying surrender. For his sacrifice he was posthumously awarded Nishan-e-Haider.
- Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (6th FF)
On December 3, 1971, Major Shabbir Sharif who was commanding a company of 6th FF Regiment near Sulemanki headworks, was assigned the task of capturing the high ground overlooking the Gurmukh Khera and Beriwala villages in the Sulemanki sector. On the opposite side India had more than a company of the Assam Regiment
Assam Regiment
The Assam Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The Regiment consists of 21 battalions; 14 regular units, three Rashtriya Rifles units, three infantry battalions of the Territorial Army and one battalion of Arunachal Scouts...
which was supported by a squadron of tanks.
Also among the hurdles were an enemy minefield and a defensive canal, 30 feet (9.1 m) wide and 10 feet (3 m) deep. Shabbir Sharif succeeded in capturing the area by early evening on December 3. In this fight 43 Indian soldiers were killed, 28 were taken prisoner and four tanks were destroyed.
Shabbir Sharif repelled repeated counter attacks by the opposing forces for the next three days and nights and kept strategically better position, holding two Indian battalions at bay. On the night between December 5 and December 6, during one of the enemy attacks, Sharif hopped out of his trench, killed the enemy Company Commander of 4th Jat Regiment
Jat Regiment
The Jat Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army and is one of the longest serving and most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment has won 19 battle honours between 1839 to 1947 and post independence 5 battle honours, Two Ashok Chakras, eight Mahavir Chakras, eight Kirti...
and recovered important documents from his possession. In another attack on the morning of December 6, Shabbir Sharif took over an anti tank gun from his gunner, and while engaging enemy tanks, he was killed in action by a direct hit from a tank. Major Shabbir Sharif already a recipient of Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
, was posthumously awarded Nishan-e-Haider for his sacrifice.
Hilal-e-Jurat Recipients
Hilal-e-Jurat is the second highest military award given for valor to Armed forces personnel of Pakistan. Piffers who received Hilal-e-Jurat are:- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mian Hayaud Din - GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Muhammad Musa - Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Muhammad Akram Raja (Shaheed)
Sitara-e-Jurat Recipients
Sitara-e-JuratSitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
is the third highest military award given for valor to Armed forces personnel of Pakistan. Piffers who received Hilal-e-Jurat are:
- Captain Mujeeb Faqrullah Khan of 25th FFR (for Chamb-Jorian Sector 1971)
VC Recipients
The Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
is the highest battle order of Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, awarded for valour. As the Frontier Force regiment still maintains the lineage of its predecessor regiments, so this award was received by following Piffers:
- LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLeanHector Lachlan Stewart MacLeanHector Lachlan Stewart MacLean VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
(Guides) - Captain Godfrey MeynellGodfrey MeynellGodfrey Meynell VC MC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Background:...
(Guides) - Captain Henry William PitcherHenry William PitcherHenry William Pitcher VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
(1st Punjab Infantry (P.I.F)) - Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Edward CummingArthur Edward CummingBrigadier Arthur Edward Cumming VC OBE MC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
(2nd bn 12th Frontier Force Regiment) - HavildarHavildarHavildar ) was the Military 'In Charge' of a Fort during the times of Maratha Empire. In the British Indian Army it was equivalent rank to Sergeant, next above Naik, and is still used in the modern Indian Army and Pakistan Army. The cavalry equivalent is Daffadar...
Ali HaidarAli HaidarAli Haidar VC was an ethnic Pashtun recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
(6th Royal bn 13th Frontier Force Rifles) later 1stFF - Subadar Mir DastMir DastMir Dast VC IOM was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
(55th Coke's Rifles) - JemadarJemadarJemadar was a rank used in the British Indian Army, where it was the lowest rank for a Viceroy's Commissioned Officer . Jemadars either commanded platoons or troops themselves or assisted their British commander...
Prakash SinghPrakash SinghPrakash Singh VC was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Biography:...
(8th Frontier Force Regiment) - Captain Eustace JothamEustace JothamEustace Jotham VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
(51st Sikhs) 3FF - LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
McBruce (6th Royal bn 13th Frontier Force Rifles) later 1stFF
MC Recipients
The Military CrossMilitary Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
is the third highest battle honour of Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, awarded for valour. The Frontier Force regiment still maintains the lineage of its predecessor regiments so this award was received by following Piffers:
- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mian Hayaud Din(14FF) - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Attiqur Rahman - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Adam Khan - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Rakhman Gul (1stFF) - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Bakhtiar RanaBakhtiar RanaLieutenant General Bakhtiar Rana, M.C., was a senior officer in the Pakistan Army. He was Chief Martial Law Administrator . As a Lieutenant General, he commanded one of Pakistan Army's strike corps, I Corps, as its Corps Commander from 1958 to 1966...
(1stFF)
Legion d'Honneur Recipients
Commandeur, the 3rd highest of 5 classes of the Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
was awarded by the Republic of France for securing areas of Indo-China in 1946, to the only Piffer to have received this distinction:
- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mian Hayaud Din
Legion of Merit Recipients
This is the highest military decoration that may be bestowed by the US Government upon a foreign national.Piffers who received the Legion of Merit are:
- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mian Hayaud Din - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mian Ghulam JilaniMian Ghulam JilaniMajor General Mian Ghulam Jilani was a two-star general officer in the Pakistan Army who, as British Army officer, was a World War II Japanese POW camp survivor at Singapore, who subsequently rose to help negotiate Pakistan’s membership in the Baghdad Pact and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization...
Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E)-Military
This is the fourth highest award in the Order of the British Empire.Piffers who received the MBE Military are:
- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mian Hayaud Din - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Altaf Qadir - GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Muhammad Musa
Motto and Colours
The motto of the regiment is Labbaik, an Arabic word, which means Here I Come. It is commonly used as an invocation to respond to Allah's call for pilgrimage during HajjHajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
, the annual Muslims pilgrimage. Before 1970, each Piffer unit had its own motto but on the whole the regiment had no motto, so it was decided at the Piffer Conference in 1970 to adopt Labbaik as the regimental motto. The official meaning of this motto is
—making all preparations required for going to battle, and putting ones heart and soul into the endeavour, aimed at achieving the assigned mission.
Piffers have the same Khaki
Khaki
This article is about the fabric. For the color, see Khaki . Kaki, another name for the persimmon, is often misspelled "Khaki".Khaki is a type of fabric or the color of such fabric...
uniform
Military uniform
Military uniforms comprises standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military dress and military styles have gone through great changes over the centuries from colourful and elaborate to extremely utilitarian...
as in the other regiments of Pakistan Army, except their rank colour which is black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
with red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
background and a badge with FF Regiment written on it having the same colour combination, on the shoulder strap
Shoulder strap
A shoulder strap is a strap over a shoulder. They are often affixed to women's dresses to support its weight or as part of its style. The term is also applied to carrying bags and to epaulettes.-Carrier shoulder strap:...
. Also the colour of beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
of Piffers is rifle green with the insignia of the regiment at front. Piffers use Sam Browne Belt, designed by General Sir Sam Browne which is black in colour. The Battle Dress
Battledress
Battledress, or fatigues in the general sense, is the type of uniform used as combat uniforms, as opposed to 'display' dress or formal uniform worn at parades and functions. It may be either monochrome or in a camouflage pattern...
of the regiment is camouflage with same changes as are in the Khaki uniform.
In Media
The character of Captain Gulsher Khan in the PTVPakistan Television Corporation
The Pakistan Television Corporation is Pakistan's national television broadcaster. The first live transmission of PTV began on November 26, 1964, in Lahore...
drama serial Alpha Bravo Charlie
Alpha Bravo Charlie
Alpha Bravo Charlie is an action and thriller drama series, produced by ISPR and directed by acclaimed Pakistani drama and film director Shoaib Mansoor. It was hugely popular and set a record for TRPs in Pakistan. It is a sequel to drama series Sunehre Din with some of the same cast...
is in the FF Regiment, specifically 9 FF.
Alliances
- The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; 1st Bn - The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border); 1st Bn - The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada , or A & SH of C, is a Primary Reserve Highland infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces, based at John W...
; 1st Bn - The Rifles
The Rifles
The Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
; 2nd and 13th Bn - The Royal Welsh
Royal Welsh
The Royal Welsh was formed on St David's Day, 1 March 2006. It is one of the new large infantry regiments of the British Army, and the regiment's formation was announced on 16 December 2004 by Geoff Hoon and General Sir Mike Jackson as part of the restructuring of the infantry.-Formation:The...
; 3rd Bn - The Royal Anglian Regiment; 5th Bn - The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment); 9th Bn - The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border); 15th Bn - The King's Own Calgary Regiment; 15th Bn
See also
- List of Regiments of the British Indian Army (1903)
- List of regiments of the British Indian Army (1922)
Further reading
- {[cite book| author=Col. HC Wylly|title="The History of Coke's Rifles"|publisher=Gale & Polden|year=1930|id=}}
External links
- The Frontier Force, before the partition of India.
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth: The Frontier Force Regiment
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth: 12th Frontier Force Regiment
- Pakistan Military Consortium: 12th Frontier Force Regiment
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth: 13th Frontier Force Rifles
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth: The Pathan Regiment
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth: Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) (Lumsden's)
- President Musharraf praises FF
- Nishan-e-Haider Recipients of FF Regiment