Structure of the Pakistan Army
Encyclopedia
The Structure of the Pakistan Army
can be broken down two ways, administrative, and operational. Operationally the Pakistan Army is divided in 11 Corps having areas of responsibility (AOR) from mountainous regions of northern Pakistan to the desert and coastal regions of the south. Administratively it is divided in different regiments (details below). The General Headquarter (GHQ) of Pakistan Army is located in the garrison city of Rawalpindi
in Punjab
province. It is planned to be moved to the capital city of Islamabad
.
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), formerly called the Commander in Chief (C in C), is challenged with the responsibility of commanding the Pakistani Army. The COAS operates from army headquarters in Rawalpindi
, near Islamabad
. The Principal Staff Officers (PSO's) assisting him in his duties at the Lieutenant General
level include:
The Military Operations and Intelligence Directorates function under the Chief of General Staff (CGS)
. A major reorganization in GHQ was done in September 2008 under General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
, when two new PSO positions were introduced: the Inspector General Arms and the Inspector General Communications and IT, thus raising the number of PSO's to eight.
The headquarters function also includes the Judge Advocate General (JAG), and the Comptroller of Civilian Personnel, the Chief of the Corps of Engineers (E-in-C) who is also head of Military Engineering Service (MES
), all of them also report to the Chief of the Army Staff.
located at various garrisons all over Pakistan.
There are seven Independent Mechanized Infantry Brigades, eight Independent Armoured brigades, 4 Artillery Brigade
s, and nine Engineer
brigades. These include 105 Independent Brigade Group in XXXI Corps, 111 Independent Infantry Brigade at Rawalpindi
with X Corps, 212 Infantry Brigade at Lahore
with IV Corps and 105 Independent Infantry Brigade under V Corps. Nine independent signal brigade groups are also present (one in each corps).
consisting of 14th, 9th and 16th Infantry Divisions. All three were re-raised after the war and exist today. 14 ID pretty much did not fight, since it was heavily Bengali and 6 of its battalions deserted when the operation began.
36 ID and 39 ID were raised to command the Paramilitary troops and a few loyal battalions. Were later reinforced with a couple of other battalions each. They were not re-raised after the war.
*The President's Bodyguard formed at independence from members of the Governor General's Bodyguard
, itself successor to the Governor's Troop of Moghals raised in 1773
*5th Horse is the successor to the 1st Sikh Irregular Cavalry (Wales's Horse), and the 2nd Sikh Irregular Cavalry, both raised in 1857
*6th Lancers is the successor to The Rohilkhand Horse raised in 1857, and the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry raised in 1858
*Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force) is the successor to the Corps of Guides raised in 1846
*11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) is the successor to 1st Regiment of Punjab Cavalry and 3rd Regiment of Punjab Cavalry, both raised in 1849
*13th Lancers is the successor to the 1st Native Troop raised in 1804, and the 2nd Native Troop raised in 1816. It is also the senior most armour regiment of the Indian Sub-Continent.
*19th Lancers is the successor to the 2nd Mahratta Horse (Tiwana Horse) raised in 1858, and Fane's Horse raised in 1860
*25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) is the famous unit which stopped India
n armour thrust in Chawinda in 1965
*29th Cavalry Regiment, nicknamed as 'Royal Bengal Tigers' was the armored regiment stationed in former East Pakistan. Entire regiment was lost in 1971 war and was raised later with nickname 'Tigers'. Currently the regiment forms part of 6th Armored Division and is stationed at Kharian.
*The Punjab Regiment formed in 1956 from the 1st, 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments; can be traced back to the 3rd Battalion of Coast Sepoys raised in 1759
*The Baloch Regiment formed in 1956 from the 8th Punjab Regiment, The Baloch Regiment, and The Bahawalpur Regiment; can be traced back to the 3rd Extra Madras Battalion raised in 1798
*The Frontier Force Regiment is the successor to the Frontier Brigade raised in 1846
*The Azad Kashmir Regiment was raised in 1947, became part of the army in 1971
*The Sindh Regiment was raised in 1980 from battalions of the Punjab Regiment and Baloch Regiment
*The Northern Light Infantry was formed in 1977 from various paramilitary units of scouts, became part of the army in 1999 after the Kargil War
*The Special Service Group was formed in 1959 around a cadre from the Baloch Regiment
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...
can be broken down two ways, administrative, and operational. Operationally the Pakistan Army is divided in 11 Corps having areas of responsibility (AOR) from mountainous regions of northern Pakistan to the desert and coastal regions of the south. Administratively it is divided in different regiments (details below). The General Headquarter (GHQ) of Pakistan Army is located in the garrison city of Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
in Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
province. It is planned to be moved to the capital city of Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
.
Army headquarters and staff
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
, near Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
. The Principal Staff Officers (PSO's) assisting him in his duties at the Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant 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....
level include:
- Chief of General Staff (CGS)Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)Chief of General Staff, shortly abbreviated as CGS, is the most coveted position within the Pakistan Army. Although four-star Chief of Army Staff is the nominal head of the land forces, CGS is the operational and intelligence lead of the institution...
— Lt Gen Waheed ArshadWaheed ArshadLieutenant General Waheed Arshad, HI, TBt, afwc, fsc, psc, is a three-star general in the Pakistan Army who is currently serving as the Chief of General Staff at the General Headquarters. His previous appointments at the GHQ include; IG Training and Evaluation , Vice Chief of General Staff and DG... - Chief of Logistics Staff (CLS) — Lt Gen Abid Pervaiz
- Inspector General Arms (IGA) — Lt Gen Salim Nawaz
- Adjutant General (AG) — Lt Gen Javed Iqbal
- Quarter-Master General (QMG) — Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani
- Inspector General Training and Evaluation (IGT&E) — Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain
- Military Secretary (MS) — Lt Gen Naweed Zaman
- Inspector General Communications and IT (IGC&IT) — Lt Gen Tanvir Tahir
The Military Operations and Intelligence Directorates function under the Chief of General Staff (CGS)
Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)
Chief of General Staff, shortly abbreviated as CGS, is the most coveted position within the Pakistan Army. Although four-star Chief of Army Staff is the nominal head of the land forces, CGS is the operational and intelligence lead of the institution...
. A major reorganization in GHQ was done in September 2008 under General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, NI, HI is a four-star general in the Pakistan Army, and the current Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. He replaced General Pervez Musharraf as the Chief of Army Staff and the commandant of the army on November 29, 2007...
, when two new PSO positions were introduced: the Inspector General Arms and the Inspector General Communications and IT, thus raising the number of PSO's to eight.
The headquarters function also includes the Judge Advocate General (JAG), and the Comptroller of Civilian Personnel, the Chief of the Corps of Engineers (E-in-C) who is also head of Military Engineering Service (MES
MES
- In business :* Manufacturing Execution Systems, the intermediary between a business system such as ERP and a manufacturer's plant floor control equipment* Marconi Electronic Systems, a defunct company of the United Kingdom...
), all of them also report to the Chief of the Army Staff.
Hierarchy
- CorpsCorpsA corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
: A Corps in the Pakistani Army usually consists of two or more Divisions and is commanded by a 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....
. Currently the Pakistani Army has 10 Corps. The tenth one is the recently raised Army Strategic Force Command (ASFC), responsible for bearing the national strategic and nuclear assets. Initially a Division, but then raised to the status of a Corps. - DivisionDivision (military)A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
: Each division is commanded by a 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...
, and usually holds three Brigades including infantry, artillery, engineers and communications units in addition to logistics (supply and service) support to sustain independent action. Except for the Divisions operating in the mountains, all the Divisions have at least one armoured unit, some have even more depending upon their functionality. The most major of all ground force combat formations is the infantry division. Such a division would primarily hold three infantry brigades. There are 19 Infantry divisions, two mechanised divisions, two Armoured Divisions and 2 Artillery Divisions in the Pakistani Army. - BrigadeBrigadeA 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...
: A Brigade is under the command of a Brigadier-General and comprises three or more Battalions of different units depending on its functionality. An independent brigade would be one that primarily consists of an artillery unit, an infantry unit, an armour unit and logistics to support its actions. Such a brigade is not part of any division and is under direct command of a corps. - BattalionBattalionA battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
: Each battalion is commanded by a ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and has roughly 600 to 900 soldiers under his command. This number varies depending on the functionality of the battalion. A battalion comprises either three batteries (in case of artillery and air defence regiments - generally named Papa, Quebec, Romeo, and Headquarters Battery) or four companies (in case of infantry regiments - generally named Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta - and other arms excluding armored units that are organized into squadrons) each under the command of a major and consisting of individual subunits called sections (which are further divisible into platoons and squads).
Corps
There are 11 CorpsCorps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
located at various garrisons all over Pakistan.
| Corps | HQ Location | Major Formations under Corps | Commander | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Corps I Corps (Pakistan) The I Corps, also known as I Strike Corps, of the Pakistan Army headquartered in Mangla, Azad Kashimir Province of Pakistan. Known as I Strike Corps, it is one of two strike corps within its ten manouvre Army corps... |
Mangla Mangla Mangla town is located in Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir at the border with Jhelum district Punjab, with Jhelum river making the boundary. Mangla is an ancient town and is slated to be named after Mangla Devi. It is also the site of crossing of river Jhelum by Alexander forces facing Raja Porus... , Azad Kashmir Azad Kashmir Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir... |
6th Armoured Division 6th Armoured Division (Pakistan) The 6th Armoured Division is a Pakistan Army armoured division currently based in Gujranwala, in Punjab Province.-Formation:The division was originally an armoured brigade known as the 100 Independent Armoured Brigade Group. In 1964, it was decided to use the headquarters and other assets of this... (Gujranwala Gujranwala Gujranwala is a industrial city in the north-east of the Punjab province. It is the sixth largest city in Pakistan with a population of approximately 2,661,360 as on 24 June 2011... ), 17th Infantry Division (Kharian Kharian Kharian 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... ), 37th Infantry Division (Kharian Kharian Kharian 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... ) |
Lt Gen Tariq Khan | Formed 1958 in 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... , now is in Mangla Mangla Mangla town is located in Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir at the border with Jhelum district Punjab, with Jhelum river making the boundary. Mangla is an ancient town and is slated to be named after Mangla Devi. It is also the site of crossing of river Jhelum by Alexander forces facing Raja Porus... ; Fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars, as well as sent replacements to Kashmir for LOC. |
| II Corps II Corps (Pakistan) The II Corps, known as II Strike Corps or Army Reserve South, is army corps of Pakistan Army stationed in Multan, Punjab Province of Pakistan. The II Strike Corps is one of Pakistan's four heavy armoured corps... |
Multan Multan Multan , is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province on the east bank of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic centre of the country and about from Islamabad, from Lahore and from Karachi... , Punjab Punjab (Pakistan) Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the... |
1st Armoured Division (Multan Multan Multan , is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province on the east bank of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic centre of the country and about from Islamabad, from Lahore and from Karachi... ), 14th Infantry Division (Okara Okara, Pakistan Okara is the capital city of Okara District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The name Okara is derived from Okaan, a name of a tree, the city is located south-west to the city of Lahore and is famous for its agriculture-based economy and cotton mills... ), 40th Infantry Division (Okara Okara, Pakistan Okara is the capital city of Okara District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The name Okara is derived from Okaan, a name of a tree, the city is located south-west to the city of Lahore and is famous for its agriculture-based economy and cotton mills... ) |
Lt Gen Shafqaat Ahmed | Formed 1971 |
| IV Corps IV Corps (Pakistan) The IV Corps is one of military administrative corps of Pakistan Army. Having established in 1965 after the Indo-Pakistani September War, it is currently stationed in Lahore, Punjab Province of Pakistan. Its current core commander is Lieutenant-General Rashad Mahmood.-History:The corps was formed... |
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... , Punjab |
2nd Artillery Division (Gujranwala Gujranwala Gujranwala is a industrial city in the north-east of the Punjab province. It is the sixth largest city in Pakistan with a population of approximately 2,661,360 as on 24 June 2011... ), 10th Infantry Division (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... ), 11th Infantry Division 11th Infantry Division (Pakistan) The 11th Infantry Division is an active formation of the Pakistan Army. It is currently deployed in Lahore as part of IV Corps, and is responsible for the defence of that city and the surrounding areas.... (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... ) |
Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood | Formed 1966 |
| V Corps V Corps (Pakistan) The V Corps, also known as Victory Corps, is an administrative corps of Pakistan Army assigned in Karachi, Sindh Province of Pakistan. The V Corps is the only corps that is stationed in the Sindh Province, while the II Strike Corps and the IV Corps are both stationed in Punjab Province... |
Karachi Karachi Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million... , Sindh Sindh Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can... |
16th Infantry Division (Pano Aqil), 18th Infantry Division (Hyderabad Hyderabad, Sindh is the second largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the seventh largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot... ), 25th Mechanized Division (Malir) |
Lt Gen Mohammad Zahirul Islam | Formed 1975. 16, 18 IDs are all mechanized. Has a lot of independent Brigades as well, since it has all of Sindh to cover. |
| X Corps X Corps (Pakistan) The X Corps is an active military administrative corps of Pakistan Army, currently assigned in Rawalpindi, Punjab Province of Pakistan. Its one of two brigades are currently active in Kashmir. One of its brigades, the 111th Infantry Brigade in Rawalpindi, has been frequently involved in military... |
Rawalpindi Rawalpindi Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad... , Punjab |
Force Command Gilgit-Baltistan (Gilgit Gilgit Gilgit is a city in northern PakistanGilgit may refer to other terms related with the area of the city:* Gilgit River* Gilgit Valley* Gilgit District* Gilgit Agency * Gilgit Airport... ), 12th Infantry Division (Murree Murree Murree city is a popular hill station and a summer resort, especially for the residents of Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and for the cities of the province of Punjab, Pakistan... ), 19th Infantry Division (Mangla Mangla Mangla town is located in Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir at the border with Jhelum district Punjab, with Jhelum river making the boundary. Mangla is an ancient town and is slated to be named after Mangla Devi. It is also the site of crossing of river Jhelum by Alexander forces facing Raja Porus... ), 23rd Infantry Division (Jhelum Jhelum Jhelum or Jehlum may refer to:* Jhelum, a city in Pakistan on the banks of the Jhelum River* Jhelum District, an administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan surrounding the city of Jhelum... ) |
Lt Gen Khalid Nawaz Khan | Raised in 1975 by Lt. Gen. Aftab Ahmad Khan Aftab Ahmad Khan Lieutenant-General Aftab Ahmad Khan was a retired Pakistan Army Infantry Officer, born in Batala, Gurdaspur District, British India on Oct. 22, 1923 to the illustrious family of Khan Bahadur Mian Altaf Hussain Khan and Mehndi Begum.... |
| XI Corps XI Corps (Pakistan) The XI Corps is an active administrative corp of Pakistan Army. The XI Corps is the only one corps that is assigned in the North-West Frontier Province . It is currently stationed in Peshawar, Khyber-Pakhtaunkhuwa. The Corps was established and quickly raised in 1975 to support administrative... |
Peshawar Peshawar Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.... , North West Frontier Province |
7th Infantry Division 7th Infantry Division (Pakistan) The 7th Infantry Division, also known as the Golden Arrow and Peshawar Division, is the Pakistan Army's oldest and most battle-hardened division... (Peshawar Peshawar Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.... ), 9th Infantry Division (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... ) |
Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani | Formed 1975. Presently engaged in fighting in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas Federally Administered Tribal Areas The Federally Administered Tribal Areas are a semi-autonomous tribal region in the northwest of Pakistan, lying between the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the neighboring country of Afghanistan. The FATA comprise seven Agencies and six FRs... |
| XII Corps XII Corps (Pakistan) The XII Corps is an active and military administrative corps of Pakistan Army currently stationed in Quetta, Balochistan Province. The XII Corps is a major part of Southern Military Command of Pakistan Defence Forces... |
Quetta Quetta is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the... , Balochistan Balochistan (Pakistan) Balochistan is one of the four provinces or federating units of Pakistan. With an area of 134,051 mi2 or , it is the largest province of Pakistan, constituting approximately 44% of the total land mass of Pakistan. According to the 1998 population census, Balochistan had a population of... |
33rd Infantry Division (Quetta Quetta is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the... ), 41st Infantry Division (Quetta Quetta is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the... ) |
Lt Gen Muhammad Alam Khattak Alam Khattak Lieutenant General Muhammad Alam Khattak, HI, TBt, is a Pakistan Army general who is the presently the Commander Southern Command based at Quetta... |
Formed 1985. |
| XXX Corps XXX Corps (Pakistan) The XXX Corps , known as Triple X Corps, is an active military administrative corps of Pakistan Army currently assigned in Gujranwala, Punjab Province. The Corps is a major and integral part of Eastern Military Command of Pakistan Defence Forces where, along with PAF's Eastern Air Command and... |
Gujranwala Gujranwala Gujranwala is a industrial city in the north-east of the Punjab province. It is the sixth largest city in Pakistan with a population of approximately 2,661,360 as on 24 June 2011... , Punjab |
8th Infantry Division (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... ), 15th Infantry Division (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... ) |
Lt Gen Raheel Sharif | Formed 1987. Each division has 4 brigades and an armoured division is in the process of raising. |
| XXXI Corps XXXI Corps (Pakistan) The XXXI Corps is an active military administrative corps of is one of the Pakistan Army. Commonly known as 10th Corps, it is currently assigned to active corps Punjab Province. The corps is currently the major part of Southern Military Command of Pakistan Defence Forces... |
Bahawalpur Bahawalpur Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states... , Punjab |
26th Mechanized Division (Bahawalpur Bahawalpur Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states... ), 35th Infantry Division (Bahawalpur Bahawalpur Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states... ) |
Lt Gen Muhammad Haroon Aslam | Formed 1988. |
| Army Air Defence Command Army Air Defence Command (Pakistan) The Pakistan Army Air Defence Command)Urdu: ﺁرمى أير ڈفينص كامانڈ; Army Defence Command, abbreviated as ADC), is an active military administrative combatant staff corps of the Pakistan Army and a major combative formation tasked with air defences of the country from the foreign threats... |
Rawalpindi Rawalpindi Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad... , Punjab |
3rd Air Defence Division (Sargodha Sargodha Sargodha is a city in the Sargodha District of Punjab province, Pakistan.Sargodha is located in the northwest of Pakistan. It is the eleventh largest city of Pakistan and also known as Pakistan's best citrus-producing area. It is an agricultural trade centre with various industries... ), 4th Air Defence Division (Malir) |
Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Owais | Formed 1990. |
| Army Strategic Forces Command Army Strategic Forces Command (Pakistan) The Pakistan Army Strategic Forces Command, known as Army SF Command, is major Combatant Command of Pakistan Armed Forces. Together with Pakistan Air Force's Air Force Strategic Command and the Naval Strategic Command , they formed the Pakistan Strategic Forces Commands directly reported to Joint... |
Rawalpindi, Punjab | 21st Division (Pano Aqil), 22nd division (Sargodha Sargodha Sargodha is a city in the Sargodha District of Punjab province, Pakistan.Sargodha is located in the northwest of Pakistan. It is the eleventh largest city of Pakistan and also known as Pakistan's best citrus-producing area. It is an agricultural trade centre with various industries... ) |
Lt Gen Syed Tariq Nadeem Gilani | Formed 2000. |
Armoured divisions
| Division | HQ Location | Brigades | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Armoured Division | HQ Multan | Brigades | Part of II Corps |
| 6 Armoured Division 6th Armoured Division (Pakistan) The 6th Armoured Division is a Pakistan Army armoured division currently based in Gujranwala, in Punjab Province.-Formation:The division was originally an armoured brigade known as the 100 Independent Armoured Brigade Group. In 1964, it was decided to use the headquarters and other assets of this... |
HQ Gujranwala | 7th Armoured Brigade, Kharian; 9th Armoured Brigade, Kharian; 1st Armoured Brigade, Kharian | Part of I Corps |
Infantry divisions
| Division | HQ Location | Brigades | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Infantry Division | N/A | N/A | Was the old Bahawalpur Bahawalpur Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states... State forces, which joined the Pak Army on its formation. Disbanded after 1948 war. Today, 35th Infantry Division is located in Bahawalpur and carries the same Pelican insignia of the state forces, though there is no lineage. |
| 7 Infantry Division 7th Infantry Division (Pakistan) The 7th Infantry Division, also known as the Golden Arrow and Peshawar Division, is the Pakistan Army's oldest and most battle-hardened division... |
HQ Peshawar | Y | XI Corps, Peshawar Peshawar Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.... named as 'The Golden Arrows' |
| 8 Infantry Division | HQ Sialkot | Part of XXX Corps | |
| 9 Infantry Division | HQ Kohat | Part of XI Corps | |
| 10 Infantry Division | HQ Lahore | Part of IV Corps, stationed at Lahore, named as 'Tenacious Ten' | |
| 11 Infantry Division | HQ Lahore | 11 ID is part of IV Corps with HQ at Lahore. It is mechanised but seems to have less armored contingent then other mechanized formations. The division fought in 65 and 71 wars. The division is named as 'Battle axe' | |
| 12 Infantry Division | HQ Murree | Part of X Corps, 12th ID is a double sized division which has 7 infantry brigades. | |
| 14 Infantry Division | HQ Okara | Part of II Corps. The division is mechanised. | |
| 15 Infantry Division | HQ Sialkot | Part of XXX Corps | |
| 16 Infantry Division | HQ Pano Aqil | Originally was part of XII corps, shifted at Panno Aquil Cantonment in 1987. Now form part of V Corps | |
| 17 Infantry Division | HQ Kharian | Part of I Corps | |
| 18 Infantry Division | HQ Hyderabad | Part of V Corps | |
| 19 Infantry Division | HQ Mangla | Part of X Corps | |
| 23 Infantry Division | HQ Jhelum | 3 (AK) Brigade (Kotli); 4 (AK) Brigade, 66 Brigade, 333 Brigade | Part of X Corps |
| 25 Mechanized Division | HQ Malir | Part of V Corps | |
| 26 Mechanized Division | HQ Bahawalpur | Part of XXXI Corps | |
| 33 Infantry Division | HQ Quetta | 29 Infantry Brigade (Zhob);60 Infantry Brigade (Sibi);205 Infantry Brigade (Loralai);Divisional Artillery(Zhob) | Part of XII Corps |
| 35 Infantry Division | HQ Bahawalpur | Part of XXXI Corps | |
| 36 Infantry Division | N/A | N/A | Disbanded after 1971 war |
| 37 Infantry Division | HQ Kharian | Part of I Corps | |
| 39 Infantry Division | N/A | N/A | Disbanded after 1971 war; see below |
| 40 Infantry Division | HQ Okara | Part of II Corps | |
| 41 Infantry Division | HQ Quetta | Part of XII Corps | |
Independent Brigades
Please add information!!There are seven Independent Mechanized Infantry Brigades, eight Independent Armoured brigades, 4 Artillery Brigade
Artillery brigade
An artillery brigade is a specialised form of military brigade dedicated to providing artillery support. Other brigades might have an artillery component, but an artillery brigade is a brigade dedicated to artillery and relying on other units for infantry support, especially when...
s, and nine Engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
brigades. These include 105 Independent Brigade Group in XXXI Corps, 111 Independent Infantry Brigade at Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
with X Corps, 212 Infantry Brigade 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...
with IV Corps and 105 Independent Infantry Brigade under V Corps. Nine independent signal brigade groups are also present (one in each corps).
Former formations
Eastern Command was a Corps level formation in the former East PakistanEast 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...
consisting of 14th, 9th and 16th Infantry Divisions. All three were re-raised after the war and exist today. 14 ID pretty much did not fight, since it was heavily Bengali and 6 of its battalions deserted when the operation began.
36 ID and 39 ID were raised to command the Paramilitary troops and a few loyal battalions. Were later reinforced with a couple of other battalions each. They were not re-raised after the war.
Administrative Structure
The Pakistani Army is divided into two main branches, which are Arms and Services.Infantry,Armour and Engineers
The Army's infantry force includes two Special forces Brigades with 5 Battalions, while the Pakistan Armoured Corps includes eight Armoured Reconnaissance regiments.
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*The President's Bodyguard formed at independence from members of the Governor General's Bodyguard
Governor General's Bodyguard
The Governor General's Bodyguard was a cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army. The regiment was, in effect, the Indian equivalent of the Household Cavalry of the British Army.-History:...
, itself successor to the Governor's Troop of Moghals raised in 1773
*5th Horse is the successor to the 1st Sikh Irregular Cavalry (Wales's Horse), and the 2nd Sikh Irregular Cavalry, both raised in 1857
*6th Lancers is the successor to The Rohilkhand Horse raised in 1857, and the 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry raised in 1858
*Guides Cavalry (Frontier Force) is the successor to the Corps of Guides raised in 1846
*11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) is the successor to 1st Regiment of Punjab Cavalry and 3rd Regiment of Punjab Cavalry, both raised in 1849
*13th Lancers is the successor to the 1st Native Troop raised in 1804, and the 2nd Native Troop raised in 1816. It is also the senior most armour regiment of the Indian Sub-Continent.
*19th Lancers is the successor to the 2nd Mahratta Horse (Tiwana Horse) raised in 1858, and Fane's Horse raised in 1860
*25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) is the famous unit which stopped 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...
n armour thrust in Chawinda in 1965
*29th Cavalry Regiment, nicknamed as 'Royal Bengal Tigers' was the armored regiment stationed in former East Pakistan. Entire regiment was lost in 1971 war and was raised later with nickname 'Tigers'. Currently the regiment forms part of 6th Armored Division and is stationed at Kharian.
*The Punjab Regiment formed in 1956 from the 1st, 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments; can be traced back to the 3rd Battalion of Coast Sepoys raised in 1759
*The Baloch Regiment formed in 1956 from the 8th Punjab Regiment, The Baloch Regiment, and The Bahawalpur Regiment; can be traced back to the 3rd Extra Madras Battalion raised in 1798
*The Frontier Force Regiment is the successor to the Frontier Brigade raised in 1846
*The Azad Kashmir Regiment was raised in 1947, became part of the army in 1971
*The Sindh Regiment was raised in 1980 from battalions of the Punjab Regiment and Baloch Regiment
*The Northern Light Infantry was formed in 1977 from various paramilitary units of scouts, became part of the army in 1999 after the Kargil War
*The Special Service Group was formed in 1959 around a cadre from the Baloch Regiment
Other Combat Arms
- Regiment of Artillery
- Regiment of Air Defence (contributes to Air Defence CommandArmy Air Defence Command (Pakistan)The Pakistan Army Air Defence Command)Urdu: ﺁرمى أير ڈفينص كامانڈ; Army Defence Command, abbreviated as ADC), is an active military administrative combatant staff corps of the Pakistan Army and a major combative formation tasked with air defences of the country from the foreign threats...
with 3 Air Defence Groups, 8 AD Brigades) - Corps of Engineers
- Corps of Signals
- 23 aviation squadrons
Services
- Army Ordnance Corps
- Corps of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (EME)
- Army Supply & Transport Corps (ASC)
- Army Education Corps (AEC)
- Corps of Military Police (CMP)
- Remount, Veterinary, and Farming Corps (RV&FC)
- Army Medical Corps