The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a war fought on multiple fronts and terrains. Some of its most tricky battles were fought in Kashmir, which made it more than traditional warfare. It was soon becoming a test of will in the rugged mountains of Kashmir. At the center of Pakistan’s strategy in this theatre was the Azad Kashmir Regiment. The AKRF was a special force tempered not by order of government but by the very flames of war.
A Regiment Born Out of Struggle
The Azad Kashmir Regiment (AK Regt) is a unique military force because of its extraordinary origin story. It was not issued as a military order, but rather emerged from the First Kashmir War of 1947-48. This force was a grassroots movement. It consisted of local veterans of the two World Wars as well as dedicated volunteers of Azad Kashmir who were committed to resisting the oppressive regime of the Dogras. Their personal and close relationship with the land, as well as their high motivation, transformed them into a credible fighting force. They earned the singular distinction of being the sole ‘Battle Born Regiment’ of South Asia. After the ceasefire, this irregular unit was regularized and became a formal part of the Pakistan Army’s Azad Kashmir Regular Force (AKRF). Even at present, most of its battalions are frequently deployed in the AJ&K area, which is reflective of its strategic significance.
Operation Gibraltar: The Vanguard of a Secret War
Pakistan’s war plan for the 1965 war, in secret codenamed as ‘Operation Gibraltar’, was a daring mission to settle the Kashmir dispute by means of a secret infiltration intended to support the local freedom fighters.. The Azad Kashmir Regiment was closely familiar with the terrain and had local connections. This made it an ideal unit to lead this operation. The regiment was re-designated as the ‘Gibraltar Force’ and its soldiers, disguised as locals, were tasked with infiltrating Indian-Occupied Kashmir. They had a singular goal: to raise a rebellion, launch guerrilla attacks on Indian installations, and sabotage communications. Though the operation had tactical shortcomings and was unsuccessful as a force for a general uprising, the soldiers of the AK Regt proved to be incredibly courageous. Major Malik Munawar Khan Awan’s ‘Ghaznavi Force’ is one such example. This force operated in the Poonch-Rajouri sector and was made up of AKRF soldiers and Pakistani Special Service Group (SSG) commandos. It succeeded in some of its tactical missions and exemplified the dogged determination of these troops fighting beyond the enemy lines.
Source: wikipedia
Beyond Gibraltar: Holding the Line
The battle for Kashmir had turned into a full-blown conventional war. With the change of tide, the Azad Kashmir Regiment had transitioned from an infiltration role to defense. They formed the first line of defense against Indian counterattacks. Their impenetrable will and resistance were displayed in the battle of Haji Pir Pass. During August 1965, the Indian Army mounted a strong attack aimed at seizing this key pass. The pass was a strategically important route for Pakistani troops maneuvering. The defenders, mostly drawn from the AKRF and Pakistan Army regular battalions, engaged in a fierce and bloody fight against a much stronger opponent for control of this pass. Although the pass was lost, the AK Regiment’s tenacious defense incurred very heavy losses on the enemy. This caused their advance to be substantially slowed down. AK regiment displayed their unwavering determination and skills at mountain warfare.
Source: wikimedia
A Legacy of Valor
The record of the Azad Kashmir Regiment during the 1965 war continues to be a matter of great pride in Pakistan. The regiment is remembered as the guerrilla force of freedom fighters who fought with courage for their motherland. Their courage in both Operation Gibraltar and the violent defensive struggles despite fighting against impossible conditions cemented their position as an elite combat force. In 1974, the AKRF was officially incorporated into the Pakistan Army as the Azad Kashmir Regiment. This move made it an official infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army. Since then, the regiment takes pride in its history as a battle-tested and irreplaceable component of Pakistan’s military. The history of the regiment is a unique page in war history. It is reflective of the spirit of a struggle by a people and their determination to fight for their land and its honour.
