24 Cavalry Regiment (Frontier Force)
Encyclopedia
The Charging 24th Cavalry Regiment (Frontier Force) was raised on 7 June 1962. It was one of the regiments raised after independence to meet Pakistan’s growing defence needs. The officer selected to raise and command to the new unit was Lt Col Muhammad Afzal Khan. 24 Cavalry has the honor of using tanks for the first time in any battle against enemy.
The collective training had shown that the regiment had been converted into a well knit team. Equipment too had been tested to give the regiments preparedness for war the finishing touches. So the Commandant decided to take the regiment to the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Ranges. Accordingly the regiment went to ranges in January, 1963. It was a very successful firing exercise and there was not a single accident during the whole exercise.
. April 26, 1965 will always remain significant day in the history of the Pakistan Armoured Corps as it was on this day that A Squadron of 24 Cavalry mounted a tank attack on territory in occupation of India. It was the first attack of its kind since Independence on a heavily defended enemy position called Biar Bet and captured it after a grim battle in which its officers and men showed unusual gallantry.
While stationed at Lahore
under Headquarters 10 Division, the regiment detached A Squadron for deployment under Headquarters 8 Division in Chhor Sector. Later, A Squadron along with 2 FF, under command 6 Brigade, attacked and captured Biar Bet.
Sector. In this operation by significant personal gallantry, Major Khadim Hussain destroyed three enemy tanks with an abandoned recoilless rifle and was awarded with Sitara-i-Jurat.
Early Period
When 24 Cavalry was raised, the bulk of men and equipment came from 11 Cavalry. 12 Cavalry and 15 Lancers also gave some weapons. A variety of battle functions were allotted to the regiment. These included attack or counter attack under hostile fire; destruction of enemy armour by fire; support to infantry and other units by use of direct or indirect fire, manoeuvre and shock action; exploitation after breakthrough; delaying action in a mobile battle; and deep penetration in rear areas.Early Training
The Regiment went out for its first collective training in December 1962. The Commandant gave out his training objectives for the first collective training period as follows:-- Integration of tank crews and recce troop crews.
- Troop training - Culminating into a troop proficiency exercise.
- Tank/infantry cooperation drills to be practised at Squadron/battalion level.
The collective training had shown that the regiment had been converted into a well knit team. Equipment too had been tested to give the regiments preparedness for war the finishing touches. So the Commandant decided to take the regiment to the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Ranges. Accordingly the regiment went to ranges in January, 1963. It was a very successful firing exercise and there was not a single accident during the whole exercise.
Induction of New Tanks
The Sharman tanks were in use of 24 Cavalry till 1963. In March 1964, the unit got the first complement of M 48 (Patton) tanks.Rann of Katch And Capture of Biar Bet
In April 1965, 24 cavalry got its first opportunity to put its high standard of professional training and efficiency to the test of combat and prove itself in the battle field. There was an order on Apr 17 to make a manoeuvre of over 800 miles towards Pakistan’s south border in the Rann of Kutch and to conduct the first ever tactical manoeuvre and tank assault in the history of the Pakistan ArmyPakistan 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...
. April 26, 1965 will always remain significant day in the history of the Pakistan Armoured Corps as it was on this day that A Squadron of 24 Cavalry mounted a tank attack on territory in occupation of India. It was the first attack of its kind since Independence on a heavily defended enemy position called Biar Bet and captured it after a grim battle in which its officers and men showed unusual gallantry.
While stationed 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...
under Headquarters 10 Division, the regiment detached A Squadron for deployment under Headquarters 8 Division in Chhor Sector. Later, A Squadron along with 2 FF, under command 6 Brigade, attacked and captured Biar Bet.
Khem Karan September 1965
The unit was under command 1 Armoured Division at Raiwind. As part of 5 Armoured Brigade, it took part in operations across Rohi Nullah in KasurKasur
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...
Sector. In this operation by significant personal gallantry, Major Khadim Hussain destroyed three enemy tanks with an abandoned recoilless rifle and was awarded with Sitara-i-Jurat.
Collective Training
The regiment moved out for collective training on 31 Oct 1966. This training was concentrated as usual at the troop level. Iranian Army Officers visited the regiment in training area on 7 Nov 1966 and were visibly impressed by the high standard of operational readiness displayed by all ranks. A demonstration was also given to Staff College students at Ranges on 22 Nov 1966. This process of exercises continued and built up to regimental exercise.Participation in Pakistan Day Parade
The major event that the regiment participated in early 1968 was the Pakistan Day Parade. The RHQ and A Squadron participated in the Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade as a mechanized column from Armoured Corps. The turn out and formation of the regiment was commended by all spectators and the mechanized column was one of the most impressive spectacles of the parade.Visits
- In April and May 1973 there were many visits and training events. A team of nine officers of the Royal Jordanian Army visited the regiment at ranges and saw a demonstration of firing of 23 mm Sub Calibre device. In Jun 1973 the regiment moved for Summer Collective Training which was found to be a very useful for all ranks. A visit was also arranged to Khewra Salt Mines on 10 Jun 1973.
- In Dec 1973 Gen Hassan Ali Shamiari Chief of Staff Saudi Arabian Army and 10 officers witnessed a demonstration on deep water fording which was greatly appreciated by the visitors and the GOC.
- In May 1974, an Egyptian delegation visited the regiment and witnessed sub calibre firing.
- A team of United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Officers visited the regiment and witnessed the deep water fording demonstration at KharianKharianKharian is a city of Gujrat District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The chief city of Kharian Tehsil, it lies almost midway between Lahore and Islamabad on the Grand Trunk Road . This is the road which connects the city all the way to Bangladesh, India and Afghanistan and was used during...
on 21 Aug 1976.
- On 1 Feb 1977 General O Jin U Minister of Defence, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North KoreaNorth KoreaThe Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
) with high powered delegation and COAS General Muhammad Zia Ul Haq and various high ranking officers visited the regiment to see training organization. Assembly line training and Sub Calibre Firing were demonstrated. The standard of firing was highly commended by the visitors. A regiment plaque was presented to General O Jin U by Lieutenant Colonel Javed Tipoo. A trophy was presented to 24 Cavalry by Korean General for the regiment’s outstanding performance.
- In Nov 1977 a delegation of Iraninan Army visited the regiment led by Major General Ali Khursand. They were shown the motor pool and short range area.
- On 20 Jan 1979 a high-powered delegation from CENTO visited the regiment. The Corps Commander and GOC were also present. The visitors were visibly impressed by the standard of training and maintenance that they witnessed.
- On 9 Jan 1980 an eminent author of United States, Professor Stephan P. Cohen who was writing a book on the Pakistan and Indian armies visited the regiment. He was shown assembly line training and sub calibre firing, besides a presentation on the organization of the Armoured Regiment and class composition. He took keen interest in meeting soldiers of various classes.
- On 26 Feb 1980, President of Pakistan General Muhammad Zia-ul-HaqMuhammad Zia-ul-HaqGeneral Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq , was the 4th Chief Martial Law Administrator and the sixth President of Pakistan from July 1977 to his death in August 1988...
visited the Regiment.
List of Officers on Raising Day
| Serial no | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lt Col Muhammad Afzal Khan |
| 2 | Maj Bashir Ahmed |
| 3 | Maj Abdul Raziq Beg |
| 4 | Capt Saghir Hussain Syed |
| 5 | Capt Sami Ud Din Ahmed |
| 6 | Capt Shamim Alam Khan |
| 7 | Capt Muhammad Saeed |
| 8 | Capt Muhammad Khalequzzaman Chawdhury |
| 9 | Lt Mehboob Alam Khan |
| 10 | Lt Basit Ali Khan |