v.1.0 October 14, 2007
The Khilji Force was
formed out of elements of No.1 Sector, AKRF under command 12 AK Division. Its
mission was to infiltrate across the Cease Fire Line (CFL) (now called the LOC)
in J&K to operate behind Indian dispositions in the Tangdhar-Tithwal area
to cause attrition of enemy potential to launch offensive action into AK
territory. Indian offensive action had captured a lot of useful and tactically important
territory across the CFL. Khilji Force was to release Indian pressure on the
territory occupied by them on the Pakistani side of the CFL .In addition it was
to disrupt the Indian Line of Communications (L of C) between Panzgam and
Tangdhar This Orbat is based on
operational orders and other documents recovered by Indian troops. Khilji was
the surname/clan of Brig Fazle Rahim, MC who was the Force Commander.
1. GOC 12 AK
Division Maj Gen Akhtar Hussain Malik
2. Commander, Khilji
Force Brig Fazle Rahim, MC
3. Units
i. 2 Azad Kashmir
Infantry Battalion (AK)
ii. 23 Azad Kashmir
Infantry Battalion (AK)
iii. 3 x Groups of
Special Service Group commandos - corresponding to platoons
iv. 3 x Nusrat
Groups – guerrillas for infiltration into J&K for sabotage, creating
insurgency and overthrowing the Govt.
Recruited from Azad Kashmir Regular Forces (AKRF), Civil Armed Forces (CAF) and
civilians with leadership from Pakistani regular troops including SSG.
v. Wing (Battalion)
HQ and 3 x rifle companies Khyber Rifles
4. Artillery support
No artillery was
allocated for direct support. However 2 x Forward Observation Officers (FOOs)
were to be taken along to direct artillery fire in support from the Pakistani
side of the CFL when within range. The
infantry were to take along their 3 inch and 2 inch mortars.
5. Communications
All units were to
take their rear link radio sets for communication with Force HQ. HQ Khilji
Force was to establish wireless communication with HQ No.1 Sector, AKRF who
would act as control for all communications.
6. Logistics
Their role as a guerrilla formation
notwithstanding, the troops of Khilji Force were to operate in their normal
uniform. This included the Nusrat Groups.
A limited number of
mules were to be taken along fro the transport of heavy weapons, ammunition and
rations and for the purpose of resupply.
The Force was to be
self-sufficient in rations and ammunition to operate for 2 x weeks. This is
based on normal rates of expenditure and maintenance for which there are Staff
Tables in all Commonwealth Armies.
Interestingly the
higher HQ had arranged the necessary funds presumably to buy rations,
information and support from locals and to pay porters This was most probably
Indian currency.
Resupply was to be
the responsibility of No.1 Sector up to the home base of the Force.
7. Medical cover
Serious casualties
were to be evacuated to the Pakistani side of the CFL. No.1 Sector was to
provide adequate medical cover at a suitable place at the nearest point to the
logistics base of the Khilji Force on the home side of the CFL.
8. Code names (for
units of Khilji Force, No.1 Sector and 12 AK Div) These were used for the
purpose of security of communications.
No.1 Sector
i. 5 Punjab ii. 8 AK Infantry Battalion iii. 9 AK Infantry Battalion iv. 13 AK Infantry Battalion v. 16 AK Infantry Battalion vi. Units of Civil Armed Forces, No.1
Sector vii. 10 Composite Field Regiment viii.
101 Composite
Field Battery (in direct support of 5 Punjab) |
SHERDIL[1]
SIKANDER IBRAHIM AHMAD SAYYED ABDULLAH TAIMUR SHERDIL |
Khilji Force
i. 2 AK Infantry Battalion ii. 23 AK Infantry Battalion |
RAFIQ USMAN |
|
12 AK Division
i. HQ 12 AK Div ii. No.1 Sector iii. No.2 Sector iv. No.3 Sector v. No.4 Sector vi. 102 Brigade vii. Murree Sub Area viii. Frontier Corps |
KAMRAN TUGHLAK MOMIN CHEETA TATAR TALWAR CHINAR PAHAR |
9. Composition
No.1 Sector
i. Commander Brig AAK Niazi, Sitara-e-Khidmar, MC[2]
ii. 1 Punjab[3]
iii. 5 Punjab[4]
iv. 8 AK Infantry Battalion
v.
9 AK Infantry
Battalion
vi.
13 AK Infantry
Battalion
vii.
16 AK Infantry
Battalion
viii.
101 Composite
Field Battery
ix.
89 Mortar
Battery
x.
Composite
Artillery Regiment - Raised from elements provided by School of Artillery,
Nowshera. These were various demonstration troops, employment troops etc
[1] Sherdil Paltan was the name
of this battalion in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. At that time it was
commanded by the author’s ancestor, Kumidan Khushal Singh. Sherdil means
lionheart.
[2] The famous Tiger Niazi of
Bangladesh fame.
[3] The old 1/1 Punjab, the
senior most battalion of the old Indian Army with its seniority dating back to
1756 and its origins from the Madras Army.
[4] The old 1/14 Punjab.