The Azad Kashmir Regular Forces, established in 1947, were armed and supported by the Pakistani government. The regiment has the distinction of not having been raised by any government order, but "raised itself" when bands of armed World War II veterans organized themselves into disciplined ad hoc platoons, companies and battalions led by retired officers, JCOs and NCOs, and went out to fight in Kashmir against the Regular Indian Army in 1948. Core of newly formed AKRF consisted of 60,000 ex servicemen of British Indian Army who participated in WW II. At the end of war these veterans, still young and fit opted out of forces. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 continued for 15 months from Oct 1947 to 31 Dec 1948. After a cease-fire was declared in Kashmir, these elements joined together to form the Azad Kashmir Regular Forces. The AKRF had its own intake and training structure separate from the Pakistan Army. The AKRF was the military element of the Azad Kashmir Government. Uniforms and rank structures were the same as in the Pakistan Army. At that time, all the battalions of the AKRF were part of the 12th Infantry Division of the Pakistan Army, permanently stationed in Azad Kashmir. Originally considered a paramilitary force the Azad Kashmir formally became an infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army in 1974
Commandants of the Regiment
Notable Colonel Commandants of the regiment have included Maj Mehtab Khan Lieutenant General Zia Ullah Khan HI , Major General Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, the former President of Azad Kashmir, Lieutenant General Javed Hassan, who as a Major General commanded the Force Command Northern Areas during the 1999 Kargil War and later served as the commander XXX Corps, Gujranwala. Major General Mukhtar Ahmed, Lieutenant General Haroon Aslam and Lieutenant General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad. General Abdul Waheed kakar, ex COAS Pak Army has remained the Colonel In Chief of the Regiment. At present the regiment is headed by Lieutenant-General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad. Other notable commanders of present era include Lieutenant-General Ikram ul Haq—commander XXX Corps, Lieutenant General Hidayat ur Rehman—commander XI Corps and lieutenant General Sher Afgan, XXXI Corps.
War history
Kashmir 1947–48
What began as a revolt by young rebels and ex servicemen turned out to be a big setback for tripartite alliance of Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Government and remnants of outgoing British colonial authorities still in control of India and partial control of Pakistan. To quote the words of Pakistan Army's Official Portal "They liberated over 34,000 square miles of the State's territory that is now called Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas." AKRF began its struggle as Armed Militia known as Lashkar, Ghazis and Jathas. As the volunteers swelled the ranks and files, a command structure was established to control these para military force of vigilante. Being well aware of aspirations of the people of State, Pakistani Government under the leadership of Governor General M A Jinnah and Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan decided to support the Lashkars. British C in C of its Army, General Frank Messervy refused to obey the instructions of M A Jinnah. However, AKRF took Muzaffarabad by 13 October 1947, Mirpur by 25 November 1947 and Jhangar in December 1947. India meanwhile managed to get the Instrument of accession signed by the Hindu Maharaja of state and landed its Military forces in the valley using massive air lifts. Fierce fighting continued for over a year but AKRF with the assistance of Pakistani tribals and regular army managed to capture Districts of Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh, Rawlakot, Muzaffarabad and Neelum. A total of 2633 all ranks of the regiment died during the war. Naik Saif Ali Janjua of 5th & 18th Battalion of AK Regt & was awarded Hilal-e-Kashmir at Mendhar sector of Jammu. He was commanding a platoon at Pir Kalewa feature and died on 25 Oct 1948 during the battle of Pir Kalewa which was attacked by 5 Infantry Brigade of Indian Army.
Indo-Pak War 1965
In wartime operations, the AKRF was part of the Order of Battle of the Pakistan Army, in which it was involved in 1965 Operation Gibraltar. All of the AKRF battalions were part of the 12th Infantry Division that carried out Operation Gibraltar as well as defended Azad Kashmir. Subedar Muhammad Israel Khan of 39th AK Regt was then part of Ghazi Battalion. He was awarded second Sitara E Jurat for his bravery. He had previously won an SJ in 1948 during the Battle of Paran Hill at the foothills of Pir Badesar in 1948. During the same operation one of the Company Commanders of 21 Azad Kashmir Regiment, Major Malik Munawar Khan Awan, became famous for his heroic action and occupation of Indian Garrison of Rajauri while commanding Ghaznavi Force during Operation Gibraltar. Later Major Munawar was awarded "Sitara e Jurat" for gallantry and the title of "King of Rajouri" by President Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan.
Indo-Pak War 1971 and subsequent operations in Kashmir
The Azad Kashmir Regular Forces fought in the 1971 war and then in 1972 when the 9th Azad Kashmir Battalion defended Chakpatra and Leepa Valley against a larger Indian force composed of several regular battalions. This particular battalion was first led in 1948 by Lt Colonel Ghulam Rasul Raja-Sitara-e-Jurrat, Military Cross. During the Battle of Leepa Valley the 9th AK Battalion with 25 Mountain Regiment Artillery distinguished itself under the leadership of Lt Colonel Haq Nawaz Kyani, SJ and Bar, who died leading the battalion from the front. The Company Commander of B Coy called for artillery fire upon their own position while being over run by the enemy; in doing this they repulsed the enemy attack. The Pakistan Army later honoured the AKRF by absorbing it into its own ranks and by giving it the status of a Regular Line Infantry Regiment. The AKRF thus became the Azad Kashmir Regiment on 20 September 1972.
Operations along LOC
The regiment has involved in all Indo-Pakistani War and has always deployed on the LOC. Notable operations by the Regiment in LOC environment include Battle of Pir Kalewa, Battle of Paran Hills, Siege of Poonch, Battle of Mirpur, Battle of Kotli, Battle of Muzaffarabad, Operation Grand Slam, Operation Gibraltar, Leepa Action, Chumik operation, Siachen operations, Operation Koh Paima and countless other major and minor operations. In recognition of bold and brilliant performance of Regiment, it was changed from an irregular to regular Infantry regiment on 20 September 1971.
Operations Along Western Front
Regiment has distinguished itself during the operation Rah e Rast and Rah e Nijat in Swat valley. The Swat operation was led by Major General Muhammad Haroon Aslam, the commander of the Azad Kashmir Regiment.
International assignments
Regiment's experience transcends the borders of motherland. Its battalions have served on at least four continents as part of international peace keepers under the UN mandate or training battalions for friendly countries. The International duties include Bosnia, Haiti, DRC, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Brundi, Sudan and Bahrain. The experience of its all ranks employed on independent duties surpasses the list and includes all continents of world.
Casualties and gallantry awards
According to sources, the regiment has lost 3000 soldiers, of which 2633 were in the 1947-48 Kashmir War alone. In recognition of this service, the Azad Kashmir Regiment have been bestowed with a full range of National and International gallantry awards. The Regiment's gallantry awards includes a "Nishan E Haider" awarded to Naik Saif Ali Janjua of 5th/18th Azad Kashmir Regiment in 1948. This award is equivalent of Britain's Victoria cross and United States Medal of Honour. List of gallantry awards is covered in first edition of Regiment's History published by the Regimental Center in the 1990s and second edition currently under production.
Peacetime performance
When not engaged in operations of war, the Regiment continues to train. Its battalions have a habit of displaying highest standards of training, sportsmanship and military professionalism. 8th Battalion of the Azad Kashmir Regiment won Gold Medals and secured 1st position in , considered to be the toughest military training competition of the world. Regiment has a Bagpipe band, considered to be the best of Pakistan Army. The band has represented Pak Army internationally, a number of times
