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Azad Kashmir Regiment
Active	1947-Present
Country	Pakistan
Branch	Pakistan Army
Role	Infantry regiment with Heavy Anti-tank and Light commando battalions
Size	49 battalions
Regimental centre	Mansar
Motto	'وَ جٰهَدُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِTranslation: 'And strive in the way of Allah'
Facing Colours	Green & Red
Mascot	Chinar Leaf
Equipment	APC M113A, TOW, TOW-II, Milan, BSWS
Engagements	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Indo-Pak War 1965 Indo-Pak War 1971 Siachen conflict Indo-Pak War 1999 War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) War in North-West Pakistan Unified Task Force United Nation Military missions Balochistan Conflict
Battle honours	Jammu 1948 - Kashmir 1948 - 1965 Indo Pak War - Operation Gibraltar - Operation Grand Slam - 1971 Indo Pak War - Operation Koh Paima - 1999 Kargil War
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief	GeneralAbdul Waheed KakarNI(M)SBtCOAS
Colonel Commandant	Lieutenant GeneralShahid Imtiaz HI(M)
Notable commanders	Lt. Gen. Haroon Aslam Lt. Gen. Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad Lt. Gen. Ikram ul Haq Lt. Gen. Hidayat ur Rehman Lt. Gen. Sher Afgun Lt. Gen. Javed Hassan, HI (M) Lt. Gen.F. S. Lodhi Lt. Gen.Zia Ullah Khan HI (M) Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ali, HI(M) TBt & Bar
Insignia
Identification symbol	The Chinar Leaf and Crescent

TheAzad Kashmir Regiment (AK Regt) is one of the six infantry regiments in thePakistan Army named afterAzad Kashmir (Pakistan Administered Kashmir). It holds the distinction of being the only Battle Born Regiment in South Asia, formed by locals of Azad Kashmir to fight againstDogra Raj, and the first regiment raised after Pakistan's independence. With the Regimental Centre atMansar Camp inAttock District, the Regiment has participated in alloperations and wars fought by the Pakistan Army.

The Azad Kashmir Regiment was established in 1974 from the originalKashmir Liberation Forces that rose in 1947 in rebellion against the Maharaja ofJammu and Kashmir in present-dayAzad Kashmir. They were regularised at the end of theFirst Kashmir War and made a part of the Pakistan Army under the nameAzad Kashmir Regular Force (AKRF).^[1][2]The force has the distinction of not having been raised by any government order, but "raised itself" when bands of armed World War II veterans along with locals (including women such asMujahida Hussain Bibi), 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 theIndian Army in 1948.^[3][4] The AKRF had its own intake and training structure separate from the Pakistan Army. 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. Although upon requirement, two AKRF regiments (12th and 21st) were sent toEast Pakistan as part of reinforcements toEastern Command. Originally created as amilitia, the AKRF functioned as a paramilitary force.^[5]

The AKRF was amalgamated to the Pakistan Army as Regular Infantry Regiment in 1974 as Azad Kashmir Regiment.^[5]

Col Commandants of the Regt include:

1. Maj Gen M. Sherin Khan (May 69 to May 74)
2. Lt Gen Muhammad Akbar Khan (April 1975 to Oct 1976)
3. Lt Gen Faiz Ali ChishtiHI(M)SB.t (Oct 1976 to Oct 1980)
4. Lt Gen Sardar Farooq Shaukat Khan LodhiHI(M)SB.t (Jan 1981 to Jan 1985)
5. Lt Gen Zahid Ali Akbar KhanHI(M)SB.t (Jan 1985 to Aug 1989)
6. Lt Gen Ziaullah KhanHI(M) ( Nov 1993 to Nov 1997)
7. Maj Gen Muhammad Saleem ArshadHI(M)TB.t (Nov 1997 to Nov 1998)
8. Maj Gen Muhammad Anwar KhanHI(M) (Nov 1999 to Jul 2001)
9. Lt Gen Javed HassanHI(M) (March 2002 to Oct 2004)
10. Maj Gen Mukhtar AhmedHI(M) (March 2005 to March 2009)
11. Lt Gen Haroon AslamHI(M)SB.t (March 2009 to Oct 2013)
12. Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem AhmadHI(M) (Oct 2013 to March 2017)
13. Lt Gen Hidayat ur RehmanHI(M) (March 2017 to Apr 2019)
14. Lt Gen Sher AfgunHI(M) (Apr 2019 to Dec 2021)
15. Lt Gen Sarfaraz Ali ShaheedHI(M)TB.t & Bar (Dec 2021 to Aug 2022)
16. Lt Gen Shahid ImtiazHI(M) (16 March 2023-till date)

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.^[6]Naik Saif Ali Janjua^[7] of 5th & 18th Battalion of AK Regt (Haider Dil) & (Al Saif) was awardedHilal-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.

373 personnel from the AK Regiment embraced martyrdom in the war including 2 Officers and 17 JCOs. 268 personnel were awarded Gallantry Awards including 31Sitara-e-Jurat and 37Tamgha-i-Jurat

With erstwhile AKRF being part of12th Inf Division, AKRF Units were heavily involved in raising, training and providing manpower forGibraltar Forces.

Out of all Gibraltar Forces, Ghaznavi Force led byMajor Munawar Khan (21st AKRF) was the most successful one and enjoyed decisive domination over Indian forces. The Force following a successful infiltration, operated inMendhar -Rajouri areas. It raided several Military targets including HQ 25 Div and police stations inRajouri, Thana Mandi, Behramgala,Budhal andRamban According to History ofKumaon Regiment,^[8] "its (Ghaznavi Force) depridation caused the maximum worry to our security forces"^[8] After a failed attempt to destroy Ramban bridge, the force trapped and engaged a force of7 Madras and inflicted heavy casualties forcing it to withdraw^[9] After this, Maj Munawwar effectively gained control of around 500 Square Miles of territory in Budhil-Rajauri and practically worked as a de facto Civil Administrator. Ghaznavi Force then trained local volunteers who participated in guerilla Operations against the Indian Army. On 27th Sept, after insistence by the HQ 12 Div Pakistan, Ghaznavi Force exfiltrated with a heavy heart back to their base in Azad Kashmir^[10] Maj Munawwar was later awardedSitara-e-Jurat and given the title of 'King of Rajouri' byField Martial Ayub Khan. The infiltration route of Ghaznavi Force is still known as Munawar Pass today.

Nusrat Force was tasked with supporting other Gibraltar Forces and to ensure fixation of Indian Forces along the Cease-Fire Line. This Force consisted of 14 groups, out of these, AKRF provided C/D Group (16 AKRF), E Group (9 AKRF,13 AKRF, 1 AK Sp Coy), F Group (6 AKRF), G Group (7 AKRF), H Group, NUSRAT 4 (4 AKRF), J Group ( 11 AKRF, 12 AKRF, 21 AKRF), K Group (1 AKRF, 21 AKRF), L Group, M Group ( 5 AKRF), N Group (19 AKRF)^[11]

Two AKRF Infantry Units, 5th AKRF (Haider Dil) and 19th AKRF (Mazboot Dil), and supporting elements of 81 AK Fd bty, 4 AK Sp Coy, 5 AK A/Tk Coy and 57 AK Fd Coy Engrs were provided toMaj Gen Akhtar Malik forOperation Grand Slam.

5 AKRF and 19 AKRF were part of 4 Sector. 5 AKRF provided firmbase along CFL Line in Padhar to facilitate Phase 1 of the Operation and through skilled fighting captured Lalleal and cleared initially bypassed Indian positions of Pir Jamal, Dalla, Paur, Maira and Moel, while 19 AKRF which was on point for 4 Sector in a gallant attack with armour support (due to be provided by 11 Cav) arriving late, captured Patrara and Dewa, being held by the3 Mahar Regiment and8 Jammu and Kashmir Militia. Writes Yousaf Saraf, "5 AK and 19 AK did a really wonderful job. 5th AK contained enemy positions at Dalla, Paur, Pir Jamal and Mehra while 19th AK inflicted a crushing defeat on the well fortified Indian position Patrara which was captured"^[12]

In the final stages of the Operation, A coy 5 AKRF captured Pt 1886, while 19th AKRF captured Malla Ridge, diary of CO 2Grenadiers containing useful intel was taken in possession.

Two AKRF Units, 12 AKRF (Maidan Battalion), 21 AKRF (Koh e Paima) and one Company from 14 AKRF (Lashkri) were deployed toEast Pakistan. Upon their arrival, these were split in companies, The Company of 14 AKRF, two companies of 12 AKRF under 27 Ind Brigade (14 Div) underBrig Saadullah Khan HJ. Two Companies 21 AKRF were under 117 Brigade, one company under 53 Brigade (both in 39 Ad-Hoc Div).

Despite severe limitations due to a lack of reserves and a tough defensive role, Maj Gen Akbar, GOC12th Infantry Division made an ambitious plan to capture the town ofPoonch. The greater Poonch area was already underAzad Kashmir, liberated by AKRF in theFirst Kashmir War.

Maj Gen Akbar assigned two infantry Brigades to capture Poonch. Seven battalions from the AKRF took part in this operation and gallantly faced regular Indian army units that were superior in numbers, weapons, equipment, and training. Ultimately the Operation did not meet success due to numerical inferiority, lack of reserves, and poor planning by the Divisional leadership. The troops of AKRF upheld the Regimental traditions and fought with bravery, with 83 personnel embracing martyrdom including the Commanding Officer of 19 AKRF. The 28 AKRF met the same fate after the injury of their company commander Major Muhammad Latif was later given the gallantry award of Tamgha-i-Basalat who lost his left eye in an encounter near Poonch city, during this encounter the two companies 28 AKRF lost more than a dozen soldiers. The Regiment further proved its mettle in the 1972 Leepa Valley Operation.

The Azad Kashmir Regular Forces fought in the 1971 war and then in 1972 when the 9th Azad Kashmir Battalion defended Chakpatra andLeepa 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 (1948), Military Cross (WWII). 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,^[13] who died leading the battalion from the front. The Company Commander of B Coy called for artillery fire upon their position while being overrun by the enemy; in doing this they repulsed the enemy attack. The Pakistan Army later honored the AKRF by absorbing it into its ranks and giving it the status of a Regular Line Infantry Regiment. The AKRF thus became the Azad Kashmir Regiment on 20 September 1972.

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,^[14] Battle of Paran Hills,Siege of Poonch, Battle of Mirpur, Battle of Kotli, Battle of Mendhar, Battle of Muzaffarabad, Operation Grand Slam,Operation Gibraltar, Leepa Valley Operation, 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.^[15]

The AK Regiment has performed distinctively duringPakistan's War on Terror as well as Counter Insurgency Operations in Baluchistan. 35 AK Regt, fought one of the toughest battles of the war on terror, Operation Brekhna, the mission to capture Walidad feature inMohmand Agency. 6 AK Regiment fought in Swat under the leadership ofLt Gen Sarfaraz Ali ShaheedTB.t & Bar (then Lt Col).

Regiment's experience transcends the borders of motherland. Its battalions have served on at least four continents as part of internationalpeace keepers under the UN mandate^[16] or training battalions for friendly countries. The International duties include Bosnia, Haiti, DRC (Congo), Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Burundi, Sudan and Bahrain. The experience of its all ranks employed on independent duties surpasses the list and includes all continents of world.

In recognition of its 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 toNaik Saif Ali Janjua of 18th Azad Kashmir Regiment in 1948.^[17] This award is equivalent of Britain'sVictoria Cross and the United States'Medal of Honor

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 inExercise Cambrian Patrol, considered to be the toughest military training competition of the world.^[18]

Erstwhile AKRF also conducted relief and construction operations making and maintaining several road links in rough terrain ofAzad Kashmir.

The Regiment has a Bagpipe band, considered to be the best of Pakistan Army. The band has represented Pak Army internationally, a number of times^[19][20]

• Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
• Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry
• Saif Ali Janjua

• Infantry regiments of Pakistan
• Military units and formations established in 1947
• Military in Azad Kashmir

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