XII Corps (Pakistan)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Pakistani XII Corps/Southern Command
country=PAK
type=Corps
dates=1985 to present
specialization=combined arms formation
command_structure= Southern Command
size=60,000 men (though this may vary as units are rotated)
current_commander= Lt. General Khalid Shameem Wynne
garrison=Quetta
ceremonial_chief=
colors=Red, White and Black
wars=Baloch Rebellion, India-Pakistan Standoff 2002, War on terror
notable_commanders= General Wahid KakarThe XII Corps is a Pakistani army corps stationed in Quetta.

History

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 created for Pakistan a real security threat on the western borders for the first time it its history. As a result two new corps were raised to guard the western borders. These were the XI Corps in Peshawar, and the XII Corps, with the responsibility of guarding the Bolan Pass. The formation spent, the first few years of its history guarding again Soviet expansionim. The end of the cold war and the ending of the Soviet threat, led the formation into a new era. It would lose divisions, and brigades to the western border. Notably 40 infantry division would be moved to Okara [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/xii-corps.htm XII Corps ] ] , and for a time it would have only one division.

War on terror

The war on terror began and once again the corps began to undertake duty on the western borders, catching and neutralising Al-Qaida and Taliban operatives, although it has not been involved to such an extent as the XI Corps. The operations continue to this day.

2002 Standoff

The formation would in early 2002 be moved to the eastern border for the first time in its history as the threat of war with India loomed. The corps purpose was to provide reinforcement to V Corps in the Thar desert. It would return to Quetta in 2004 just in time to face a new challenge.

Baloch Rebellion

In 2004, the Baloch rebellion began. The formation was involved in putting down the insurrection in collaberation with local security forrces, and by 2006, with the killing of Akbar Bugti, the rebellion was more or less surpressed.

ORBAT

The formations composition has changed on several occasions in the past, and like all formations on the western border it has received reinforcements for the war on terror, however its present composition iss thought to be.

*HQ XII Corps (Quetta)
**33rd Infantry Division (Quetta)
**41st Infantry Division (Quetta)
**Infantry Brigade (Turbat)
**Armoured Brigade (Khuzdar)

External References

* Global Security Website
* Orbat.com

References