I Corps (Pakistan)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name = Pakistani I Corps
country = PAK
type = Corps
dates = 1958 to date
specialization = Combined arms formation
command_structure = Northern Command
size = approx. 60,000
current_commander = Lt General Nadeem Ahmad
garrison = Mangla
ceremonial_chief =
colors = Red, white and yellow
wars = 1965 War, 1971 War
notable_commanders = Lt General Azam Khan
General Pervez Musharraf
General Tikka Khan

I Corps is one of Pakistan's four heavy armour corps within its ten army corps. It is presently stationed in Mangla.

History

The corps headquarters was raised in Abbotabad in 1957 [ [http://www.pakdef.info/forum/archive/index.php/t-357.html Pakistan Orbat [Archive - PakDef Forums ] ] . Lt Gen Azam Khan was its first commander. It was the first Pakistani corps ever to take to the field.

1965 War

During the 1965 war, the corps was one of two corps in action. It commanded troops all Pakistani troops north of Lahore and in Kahsmir. During this time however, because of the sheer number of formations under its command, (8 divisions), it was found easier to split the formations into corps level task-forces, as a result in the '65 war it acted essentially as a Field Army.

1971 war

The war of 1971 saw the corps heavily engaged in Shakargarh, where Indian attempts to eliminate the Shakargharh salient were checked. The fighting in Shkaragarh, while ultimately successful as Indian aims were thwarted, resulted in a heavy loss of armor and some territory was also lost. [Brian Cloughly, "A History of Pakistan Army"] As a result its commander, Lt Gen Irshad Khan, was recommended for court martial and dismissal; this was ultimately not carried out.

Present day and ORBAT

The corps has not been in action since 1971, though its subordinate units have served on the LOC and the war on terror, on secondment to other formations. Its ORBAT is:

*HQ I Corps, Mangla
**6th Armoured Division, Kharian
**17th Infantry Division, Kharian
**37th Infantry Division, Kharian

Reference

External links

*GlobalSecurity.org, [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/xi-corps.htm Global Security Website about the XI Corps]
* [http://orbat.com/site/history/index.htmlThis shows the Formations Insignia]