The Infantry Division of PA

[Signalian]

Infantry Divisions form the back bone of Pakistan Army, totalling 19 in number. These Infantry Divisions are deployed in all types of geographical areas of Pakistan; mountains, desert, plains as well as snow. They are an amalgamation of different regiments; Punjab, Frontier Force, Baluch, Sindh, Azad Kashmir and Northern Light Infantry. Capable of performing all types of Infantry operations ranging from attacking and counter attacking the enemy, defending and holding an area, supporting armoured operations and performing close combat operations in all types of environment.

The structure of PA Infantry Divisions may vary from each other depending on their area of responsibility and deployment. Strength of some Infantry Divisions are more than others e.g 12th Infantry Division holds 5-6 Brigades while most of the Infantry Divisions usually hold 3 brigades. Armour distribution may vary too, as formations deployed in mountains and snow don't operate MBT's.

I will put forth a standard PA Infantry Division which has common elements rather than a specialised Infantry Division (like deployed on LOC or FCNA) as later I may open threads on specific Infantry Divisions of PA and discuss them then. Also suggesting a few Desired revamps.

The Nucleus - Divisional HQ

Each Infantry Division is headed by a GOC (General Officer Commanding), the rank of a Major General (2 stars). His immediate subordinate is a Colonel ranked officer posted as Colonel Staff and then he may have GSO-1/2/3 (G-1 Ranked Lt Col) or/and AQ (Assistant Quarter Master Ranked Lt Col) and other ranks.
An Infantry Divisional HQ holds Infantry Brigades as well as directly holds Battalions (which are independent of Brigades) such as Anti-Tank, Supply and Transport, Engineers etc.

The Pivot - Infantry Brigades

Infantry Brigades are tactical formations of Infantry Divisions. They directly operate the bulk of Divisional troops in the form of battalions. A Brigadier heads all the formations of the Brigade as well as the Brigade HQ. He directly reports to the GOC of the Infantry Divisions. The break down is Easy, in an Infantry Division there are 3 Infantry Brigades -> 9 Infantry Battalions. Every Infantry Battalion has A,B,C,D companies with weapons support company and a HQ.

Sometimes Paramilitary units of National Guard (NG) like Janbaz and Mujahid battalions can be attached to these brigades to provide a depth in defence so that regular infantry battalions can be used for offensive roles only.

These are mostly foot infantry, although the battalions are motorised atleast to ferry the soldiers, equipment, weapons and ammunition to the front lines. There is no specialised Infantry fighting vehicle operated by these battalions. There is an commando platoon at some level in the formation which gives the necessary SF punch.
The use of LMG’s, RPG’s, Mortars, sniper rifles, Grenade launchers as well as ground movement detector radars give the infantry the required punch for a satisfying performance but a desired formation could be a mechanised Infantry Battalion (MIB), atleast in 1-2 Brigades so that the fire power and transport capability can be enhanced for the Infantry division, especially when operating with MBT’s of the Armour regiment.

The Armoured and mechanised content in PA formations is already less than required, especially in the Infantry divisions which are to support Armoured Divisions in battlefield like 37th/17th ID and 40th/ 14th ID for I and II Corps respectively.

I will also present a different formation idea with respect to armor operations when I discuss the Armour Regiment.

The Long Arm- Artillery Brigade

Every Infantry Division has an artillery outfit attached to it, usually a brigade, headed by a Brigadier. The Brigade may have three artillery regiments and sometimes more. These can be medium regiments, field regiments and mountain artillery regiments. Regiments using heavy calibre (200mm) also exist.
The 25 pounders are a major part of Pakistan Artillery though their use has declined rapidly although the 12km range and decent 88mm caliber can still be useful when required.

An artillery brigade may have a mix of regiments, each operating any of following caliber guns 105mm, 122mm, 130mm, 155mm and 200mm guns. There are three batteries in most Artillery regiments: Papa,Quebec and Romeo. A battery may have 4-6 guns. An Artillery regiment 12-18 guns.
Mortar units and batteries were detached from Artillery and now form part of Infantry battalions.

There was a talk of PA acquiring wheeled Artillery. The mobility of such a weapon system can be very useful in shoot and scoot tactics as well as counter battery fire in the plains areas. A useful weapon for maneuver role.

Another desirable weapon which can be included in most infantry Divisions is an MLRS battery, however MLRS is mostly seen operating with Armoured formations. The reason can be that it can cause maximum destruction to an assembly area filled with armoured vehicles, enemy fuel, weapon and field supply depots and field workshops which can cause a big blow to enemy Armoured operations. However, it must be kept in mind that an MLRS is a very effective against fortified structures like bunkers, strong points, trenches etc.

The Self-propelled regiments (Tracked) are not considered a part of infantry formations.

The Fist - Armour Regiment

The CO reports to GOC and provides the Infantry Division with Armour capability for offensive and defensive operations. The regiment has 44 MBT’s, divided in 3 squadrons of 14 each, and 2 MBT in Regimental HQ.
T-59 II and T-69 II are usually the MBT’s deployed in Armoured Regiments of an Infantry Division, armed with 105mm L-7 gun and upgraded to certain standards, these MBT’s are expected to give decent fire power in supporting infantry.

The engines of these MBT’s are smaller than AZ. T-80, T-85 and AK series of MBT’s so the mobility issue is there however this doesnt affect operations with advance of infantry formations. Still, the need of the hour is an advanced MBT similar to AK series for Infantry Divisions.

The independent armoured Brigade Group (2 Armoured regiments and 1 Mechanised infantry Battalion) of a Corps HQ is sometimes attached with an Infantry Division to conduct an operation giving superior firepower and mobility, another alternative could be to form an armoured brigade with-in an Infantry Division by adding an additional Armoured Regiment and Mechanised Infantry Battalion (an alternate to adding MIB’s in Infantry Brigades discussed in Infantry Brigade section)

This makes another Brigade (Armoured Brigade, instead of Armoured Regiment) and provides the Infantry Division with a decent armoured formation to conduct operations independent of assistance from Corps HQ.

Death from Below- Air Defence Regiment

An AD unit at least or more are attached to an Infantry Division. These were once part of Artillery Corps but later separated. Now they are Light AD, Medium AD, Missile AD and SP AD. The Corps HQ can also attach more AD units if required.
AD units usually operate 35mm, 40mm but 14.5mm, 23mm and bigger calibre like 55mm can also be in use. The Tube launched are Anza, Stinger, and RBS-70 (can work with GIRAFFE Radar). Every regiment has its own contingent of transport trucks for towing guns.

Tank Killers - LAT Regiment (Ex- Recon and Support, R&S)

The CO reports directly to GOC, Div HQ. The Recoilless Rifle (106mm RR’s) and HMG carrying M-151 Mutts and CJ-3/5/6/7 had the name of R&S battalions, these units have been given bigger and better weapons and transports now with a new name, LAT’s.
The Recon role may have been shifted to aerial assets like drones in early 2000’s, but the support role remains in the form of providing heavy firepower through maneuver with only a handful troops.

The LAT (Light Anti Tank) is half the strength of a normal infantry battalion but gives a massive punch with mobility to the Infantry Division. It usually has 24 launcher systems of ATGM’s and 24 HMG’s armed on light 4 x 4 like Land Rover Defenders, some accounts say 12 instead of 24 but 12 seems less.

Mobility R Us - Supply and Transport (S &T) Battalion

The CO reports to Div HQ and is tasked to provide the transport needs of the Infantry Division, whether its supplies in the form of ammunition and weapons or transporting MBT’s to the battlefield.This battalion is made up of transport trucks and sometimes other vehicles and buses too.
Though all the battalions have their own transports to a big extent, the S&T plays a major role in re-supplying the Infantry Division from the rear to the front lines. It brings in not only much needed ammunition, equipment and weaponry but also fresh troops in the form of reserves and reinforcements.

Loud and Clear - Signals Battalion

The CO (Lt Col) reports to GOC and commands the battalion which provides C3I/C4I tactical communication, provides lines of communications, maintains equipment for eaves-dropping on enemy and intercepting enemy communications, provides communication sets and equipment, operates electrical equipment like different of antennas, generators for power, rectifiers etc in the field. The unit is capable of repairing faulty equipment in the field and has the capability to fight the enemy like an infantry formation.

Builders - Engineers Regiment

The Engineer/Sapper Regiment comes directly under Div HQ and the Sappers CO reports to GOC.
The Sapper Regiment carries out the construction, demolishing, mining (anti-personnel/anti-tank) and de-mining, bridging, roads and rail work and is capable of fighting as regular infantry too. They also specialize in laying explosives, fortifying bunkers and other strongholds as well as building barriers against enemy MBT incursions ( e.g Dragon-tooth obstacles/ditches/traps etc) and road blocks.

Engineers can operate specialized vehicles for laying bridges and other tasks.

Justice is Served -Military Police Unit

It can be headed by a Major or a Lt Col who directly reports to Div HQ.
The MP unit maintains law and order, escorts and leads the formation convoys. They are also known as “pilots” when leading convoys. The unit also investigates crimes as well as gives sentry duty at strategic locations like Div HQ. Brigade HQ Etc. This unit is trained to handle POW’s.

007 - Field Intelligence Unit (FIU)

Headed usually by a Major, OC ( Officer Commanding) reports directly to GOC, Div HQ. The staff may include a junior officer, JCO’s, NCO’s and OR’s.
This unit is small contingent of specially trained soldiers who are given role of intelligence agents and carry out intelligence activities with in the area of responsibility of the Infantry Division as well as with in the Division to weed out enemy spies, make reports on activities of Officers and all other ranks and other happenings inside the Division.
FIU works closely with Signals Battalion.

Medic Reporting - Field Ambulance Unit

This medical unit is headed by a major who is a doctor and has other junior doctors and nursing staff under his command. The outfit provides medical treatment and facilities in the field and operates ambulances.

Desired - Aviation Detachment

Most western armies have a dedicated Aviation contingent as part of Infantry Division in the form of combat aviation brigade.
An aviation formation can provide observation , aerial recon (UAV) over the whole area of responsibility, transport, med evac and light attack capability, depending upon the type of helicopter used. Light and medium transport helicopters as well as UAVs permanently attached to an Infantry Division can help the GOC make timely decisions and give prompt orders getting full situational awareness.
Since PA is still short of Helicopters and replacing old ones, getting a dedicated aviation unit may not be suitable so a separate recon unit can also be raised.

Desired- The Recon Unit

After the R&S was allotted the Anti-Tank title, a specialized recon unit can be raised for Infantry Division which has stealth and mobility for conducting Recon Operations. This will lift the burden from the LAT from dual role. An armoured wheeled IFV with decent cannon, troop carrying capability and powerful engine suitable for hit and run tactics as well as superb mobility and easily camouflaged can fit the role.
Considering the recon role, an SF contingent on the lines of MRF (Marines recon Force) and also small drones can be included in this unit to enhance its capabilities.


The highlighted part shows changes.

Infantry Division Revamp 1:

A Infantry Brigade:: Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion + Mech Infantry Battalion
B Infantry Brigade:: Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion + Mech Infantry Battalion
C Infantry Brigade:: Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion

Artillery Brigade: Artillery Regt + Artillery Regt + Artillery Regt + MLRS Battery

Armoured Regiment
LAT Regiment
AD Regiment
Signals Battalion
Engineers Regiment
S&T Battalion
MP Unit
FIU
FAU
Aviation Det (4-8 Transport Helis + 4 UAV)
Recon Regiment ( Wheeled Armoured Vehicle)

Infantry Division Revamp 2:

A Infantry Brigade:: Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion
B Infantry Brigade:: Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion
C Infantry Brigade:: Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion + Infantry Battalion

Artillery Brigade: Artillery Regt + Artillery Regt + Artillery Regt + MLRS Battery

Armoured Brigade: Armoured Regiment + Armoured Regiment + Mechanised Infantry Battalion

LAT Regiment
AD Regiment
Signals Battalion
Engineers Regiment
S&T Battalion
MP Unit
FIU
FAU
Aviation Det (4-8 Transport Helis + 4 UAV)
Recon Regiment ( Wheeled Armoured Vehicle + small sized drone)

 

[ghazi52]

Infantry Regiments of Pakistan Army​ 1ST PUNJAB REGIMENTCentre: 1923 JHELUM 1946 JHELUM Class composition: 1923 1, 2, 3, and 5 Bns Punjabi Mussalmans, Sikhs and Rajputana Muslims 4 Bn Brahmans (United Provinces), Punjabi Mussalmans and Garhwali Brahmans 10 Bn Punjabi Mussalmans, Brahmans (United Provinces), Sikhs, Rajputana Rajputs and Garhwali Brahmans. 1946: Punjabi Mussalmans from the Punjab (less Ambala Civil Division), including Niazi and other Pathans of the Punjab, Hazarawalas of NWFP and Mussalmans from Jammu and Kashmir State and Gilgit Agency, Sikhs from the Punjab, Rajputs from Ambala Civil Division, United Provinces, Rajputana, Central India states and Bihar The two senior infantry regiments of the Indian Army bore the territorial title of the area from which the majority of India's soldiers came but the constituent battalions of both the 1st and 2nd Punjab Regiments began life in the old Madras Army and all the eighteenth and nineteenth century battle-honours were gained by the Coast sepoys who had marched and fought under Lake and Wellesley. However, with the apparent need to remove Madras units from the order of battle and to reinstate them as Punjab regiments, the 2nd 6th, 16th, 22nd and 24th Madras Infantry were all well on their way to conversion when the official changes of title became effective in 1903. Most of the native officers had already been replaced by Northerners. In 1903, the old Madras regiments, by adding sixty to their numbers, became the 62nd, 66th, 76th, 82nd and 84th Punjabis. Twenty years later, the 1st Punjab Regiment came into being, made up of the 62nd Punjabis (1st Bn), 66th Punjabis (2nd Bn), 76th Punjabis (3rd Bn), 1st Brahmans (4th Bn) - an exception as a Bengal regiment - 82nd Punjabis - (5th Bn) and the 84th Punjabis (10th Bn). An important change was that these previously individual regiments - mostly one-battalion regiments - became battalions of a large regiment. Thus, the old 62nd became the 1st Bn 1st Punjab Regiment, colloquially referred to as First First Punjab and so on. FIRST WORLD WAR ​ 62nd Punjabis - India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Aden. Among the Regiment's officers was a Captain C J E Auchinleck, later Field Marshal Sir Claude and Colonel-in-Chief of 1st Punjab Regiment. 66th Punjabis - Burma, Mesopotamia. Captured at Kut-al-Amara and spent the rest of the war in Turkish captivity. 2/66th Punjabis (raised in 1918) - India. 76th Punjabis - India, Egypt, Mesopotamia. Captured at Kut-al-Amara and spent the rest of the war in Turkish captivity. 2/76th Punjabis (raised in 1917) - India. 1st Brahmans - India, Aden. 2/1st Brahmans (raised in 1917) - India, Persian Gulf. 82nd Punjabis - India, Mesopotamia. 84th Punjabis - India, Persian Gulf, Mesopotamia, Russia. Following the return home of Indian troops after the war, all the war-raised battalions were disbanded. BETWEEN THE WARS The badge chosen for the 1st Punjab Regiment was basically the Star of India with, superimposed upon it, the Elephant over a tablet 'Assaye', an honour gained by the 1st Bn (62nd Punjabis as the 2nd Madras Native Infantry) and the 10th Bn (84th Punjabis as the 24th Madras Native Infantry): below, a China Dragon gained by both the 1st and 2nd Bn (66th Punjabis as the 6th Madras Native Infantry), all surmounted by a crown. The new structure for 1 Punjab was to be as follows: ​ ​ 1st Battalion - 62nd Punjabis 2nd Battalion - 66th Punjabis 3rd Battalion - 76th Punjabis 4th Battalion - 1st Brahmans 5th Battalion - 82nd Punjabis 10th Battalion - 84th Punjabis By this reorganisation and redesignation, the battalions of the Regiment regained their correct seniority in the Indian Infantry, an issue disregarded in 1903. In February 1923, eight units were selected for Indianisation and the 2nd Bn 1st Punjab Regiment was one of these. The experiment was not universally either popular or successful but several of 2/1 Punjab's young Indian officers ultimately reached general officer rank. In addition to the six regular battalions, the 11th Bn, formed in 1921 was also based at Jhelum. It was originally the 1st (Territorial) Bn 62nd Punjabis but the title was changed in 1922 to the 11th 1st Punjab Regiment with no reference to its Territorial status. Only Punjabi Mussalmans were enlisted in the 11/1st. All the regular battalions saw service on the Frontier during the between-wars years and the 4/1st spent a couple of years in China from 1927 in defence of British interests threatened by the Nationalist campaign against the Republicans. In December 1931, after 156 years of honourable existence, the 4/1st - the old 1st Brahmans - was disbanded as a result of retrenchment of the Indian Army. In the Great Mutiny of 1857 it was the only regiment of the old Bengal Line which remained loyal. In 1925 and again in 1928, attempts were made to transfer this battalion with its heavy loading of Garhwali Brahmans to the 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles but the prospective recipients of this windfall battalion declined to accept. SECOND WORLD WAR 1st Battalion - India, Egypt, Iraq, Burma, Singapore, Dutch East Indies. 2nd Battalion - India, Burma. This battalion received more gallantry awards than any other Indian Army battalion during the war. The list comprised: VC 1, DSO 4, MC 22, IOM 6, MM 23, GM 1, IDSM 12 3rd Battalion - India, Egypt, Italy. In June 1946, the battalion was nominated for training in a parachute role to join 2nd Indian Airborne Division: training was completed by the end of the year but, early in 1947, 3rd (Para) Bn 1st Punjab Regiment became engaged in operations in aid of the civil power, a situation which all soldiers hate and, in July, was detailed to join the Punjab Boundary Force, formed to keep the peace on the new East-West Punjab border. 5th Battalion - India, Burma, Japan. This battalion was posted after the end of the war to 268 Indian Infantry Brigade which went to Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. 6th Battalion - raised in Benares in August 1940. Captured in Singapore by the Japanese in February 1942. 7th Battalion - raised in Jhelum in April 1941. India, Andamans, Singapore. When Major Budh Singh MC took over command in March 1947, the 7th became the first battalion in the Regiment to have all Indian officers. 8th Battalion - raised in Jhelum in April 1941. In December that year, it was converted to a light anti-aircraft role and its officers mindful of their origins, were permitted to wear a small brass Elephant badge on their khaki helmets. Initially, the 6th (1st Punjab) LAA Regt, they suffered a further change in January 1945 when they began conversion to an airborne role as the 28th (Punjab) Para LAA Regt. 9th Battalion - in September 1939, the Territorial battalion the 11th, was mobilised and took over railway protection duties from the 2/1st. In June 1941, the 11/1st was disembodied and the 9/1st came into being. In February 1943, after a year on the Frontier, a request was received from the Royal Indian Navy for volunteers to transfer and as seven hundred signified their willingness, the battalion was transferred despite the fact that only very few of the men had ever seen the sea. The only other such transfer was of the 15/13th Frontier Force Rifles, also once a pre-war 11th Bn. 11th Battalion - the pre-war Territorial battalion was converted to active status in June 1941 and redesignated the 9/1st. 14th Battalion - raised in Jhelum in January 1942. India. Disbanded in July 1947. 15th Battalion - raised in Jhelum in July 1942. India. Disbanded in April, 1946. 16th Battalion - raised originally as the 25th Garrison Bn in August 1941, it became a training battalion and, in August 1943 was redesignated the 16/1st. Disbanded in March 1946. 25th Garrison Battalion - raised in Jhelum in August 1942. India. Redesignated the 16/1st in August 1943. 26th Garrison Battalion - raised in Jhelum in March 1942. India. Disbanded in 1943. PARTITION In August 1947, the 1st Punjab Regiment went to join the Pakistan Army. It was to be composed henceforth of Punjabi Mussalmans and Pathans from Hazara District. The Sikhs and Rajputs from the various battalions were transferred to units allocated to India whilst 1 Punjab received in their place, Punjabi Mussalmans previously serving in battalions going to India's Army. Transfers were effected as follows: Received Transferred 1 Bn PMs from 3/2 Punjab Sikhs to 1 Sikh Rajputs to 3 Raj Rif 2 Bn PMs from 2/2 Punjab Sikhs to 2 Sikh Rajputs to 1 Raj Rif 3 Bn PMs from 1/2 Punjab Sikhs to 2 Sikh Rajputs to 4 Raj Rif 5 Bn PMs from 2 Bn Sikhs to 3 Sikh Rajputs to Raj Rif 7 Bn PMs from 1 Bn Sikhs to Sikh Regt Rajputs to Raj Rif Regtl PMs from 2 Punjab Sikhs to Sikh Regt Centre Regtl Centre Rajputs to Raj Rif The 5th and 7th Bns did not receive drafts from India-bound units but each received three platoons from the 1st and 2nd Bns. BATTLE HONOURS Sholinghur, Carnatic, Seringapatam, Mysore, Assaye, Laswarrie, Bourbon, Nagpore, Arakan, Ava, Bhurtpore, China, Burma 1885-87. Suez Canal, Egypt 1915, Aden, Shaiba, Kut-al-Amara 1915-17, Defence of Kut-al-Amara, Ctesiphon, Tigris 1916, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1915-18, NW Frontier India 1915, Afghanistan 1919. Agordat, Keren, Kissoue, Damascus, Sidi Barrani, Tobruk 1941, Omars, Alem Hamza, Gazala, Carmusa, Defence of Alamein Line, Ruweisat Ridge, El Alamein, Montone, Gothic Line, Lamone Crossing, Pideura, Singapore Island, Pyuntaza-Shwegyin, Yenangyaung 1942, Monywa 1942, Donbaik, Htizwe, North Arakan, Razabil, Mayu Tunnels, Ngakyedauk Pass, Imphal, Litan, Kohima, Defence of Kohima, Kennedy Peak, Meiktila, Taungtha, Rangoon Road, Shwemyo Bluff, Sittang 1945, Arakan Beaches, Ramree, Burma 1942-45. BOOKS 'A brief history of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment' (Gale and Polden Ltd. Aldershot, 1927) 'The First Punjabis' by Major Mahommed Ibrahim Qureshi. (Gale and Polden Ltd. Aldershot, 1958) ​

 

[ghazi52]

School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta,

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