X Corps (Pakistan)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Pakistani X Corps
country=PAK
type=Corps
dates=1974 to present
specialization=combined arms formation
command_structure= Northern Command
size=60,000 men (though this may vary as units are rotated)
current_commander= Lt. General Tahir Mahmood
garrison=Rawalpindi
ceremonial_chief=
colors=Red, White and yellow
wars=Kargil War, Siachen
notable_commanders= Lt. General Faiz Ali Chishti
Lt. General Imran Ullah Khan
Lt. General Jehangir Karamat
Lt. General Ghulam Muhammad Malik
Lt. General Ali Kuli Khan
Lt. General Mahmud Ahmed
Lt. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
Lt. General Tariq Majid
Lt. General Salahuddin SattiThe X Corps is one of Pakistans 10 active Corps and one of two currently active in Kashmir.

History

The X Corps was raised in 1974. Headquartered in Rawalpindi, it is responsible for operations in some areas of Kashmir [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/x-corps.htm X Corps ] ] . Before that all formations in Kashmir were controlled directly from GHQ.

erving on the LOC

In 1974, as today the Indian and Pakistani forces face each other across the LOC, and there are often exchanges of fire, and sometime full scale battles. Since 1974, the formation's primary occupation has been to protect Pakistani interests on the LOC.

iachen

In 1984, the Indian Army undertook an incursion into Siachen. The X Corps was put into action in the highest battlefield in the world. Despite early setbacks, notably at Quaid Observation Post [ [http://pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/siachen/siachen2.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info ] ] , the corps units were able to prevent a complete loss of the glacier, and were able to capture territory in at Chumik [ [http://pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/siachen/siachen5.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info ] ] , and in Operation Qidaat [http://pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/siachen/siachen6.html] .

Neelum Valley

In 1991, the Indian Army commenced an incursion into the Neelum Valley. The Corps troops in several months of fighting managed to retake the captured areas.

Kargil

In 1999, the conflict over Kargil saw the corps enter action, in Kargil itself, and all along the LOC. Over several weeks in June 1999, the entire corps was engaged for the first time in its history. During the fighting, Havildar Lalak Jan a trooper of the corps would earn the Nishan-e-Haider.

Orbat

The Corps HQ is stationed in Rawalpindi, however its subordinate formations and units are mostly deployed in Kashmir.

*HQ X Corps (Rawalpindi
**12th Infantry Division Muree
**23 Infantry Division Jehlum
**19 Infantry Division Mangla
**Force Command Northern Area Gilgit
**111 Independent Infantry Brigade Islamabad

References

*Brain Cloughley, A History of Pakistan Army

External links

*GlobalSecurity.org, [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/x-corps.htm Global Security Page on X Corps]
* [http://orbat.com/site/history/index.html This shows the Formations Insignia]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=nda5zZUFNsI A BBC documentry on Siachen and the LOC conflict in general. The troops are all from this corps]
* [http://pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/siachen/index.html A collection of pictures of X Corps soldiers in Kashmir]