journey to khyber rifles by lt col faheememon

A Journey to Khyber Rifles

Commandant’s Diary 2005 - 2008

F a h e e m A s l a m M e m o n

Major Faheem Aslam

Major (Now Lt Col) Faheem Aslam Memon was commissioned in 1991 and he joined 132 Medium Regiment Artillery at Dera Nawab Cantonment.

This publication has been

compiled on the inspired idea of Colonel Qaiser Alam’s to record the history of legendry and historic Khyber Rifles. It took more than three months to collect and collate the history of Afghanistan, FATA, Khyber Agency and the Khyber Rifles.

It was an immense pleasure to go

through the historical perspective of Frontier Corps and Jazailchies of 18th Century.

This book is a dedicated effort, for

making the reader attached with marvelous account of tribal areas.

About the Author

Jazialchies - 1878

All Right Reserved by the Author Copyright © Khyber Rifles, Landikotal, Pakistan

A Journey through Khyber Rifles – Commandant’s Diary 2005-2008

by Major Faheem Aslam Memon, Khyber Rifles

First Edition – 14 August 2008

Title Designed by

Laaebba Sundas Memon

Composed by Abdullah . F. Memon

Assisted by

Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmad, Major Shozaib Majeed, PA to Commandant Gul Samand, Senior Clerk Rashid, Junior Clerk Syed Badshah and Photographer Adil Sultan

Printed by

Public Art Press, Peshawar

Published by Khyber Rifles, Landikotal, Pakistan

Price

US $ 20

A Journey to Khyber Rifles Commandant’s diary 2005 - 2008

f a h e e m e m o n @ y a h o o . c o m

M E S S A G E S

INSPECTOR GENERAL’S MESSAGE Major General Muhammad Alam Khattak, Frontier Force SECTOR COMMANDER’S MESSAGE Brigadier Fiaz Muhammad Qamar, Baloch COMMANDANT’S MESSAGE Colonel Qaiser Alam, Baloch


C O N T E N T S

i


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R O N E - A F G H A N I S T A N

Afghanistan Then and Now Geography

History of Afghanistan

Modern Afghanistan

Afghanistan at War 1979 – 1989

War Losses

Taliban Regime

War on Terror Background

ISAF in Afghanistan

BCC Khyber


C O N T E N T S

ii


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R T W O - F A T A

The Area and the People Introduction

Historical Prospective

Geopolitical Significance of the Area

Constitutional and Legal Aspects

Tribal Administration Genesis of Tribal Administration

Role of Political Administration - A Reappraisal

Frontier Crimes Regulation


C O N T E N T S

iii


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R T W O - F A T A

The Political Aspects Adult Franchise

Political Institution and Representation

Local Government

Socio Economic Profile Social Structure- Impact on Political and Administrative Aspect

Economic Development - A Comparative study

Tribal Integration’s in the National Mainstream

The Changing Scenario

iv

C H A P T E R T H R E E - K H Y B E R A G E N C Y

Khyber Agency Topography

The Agency

Historical Places

v


C O N T E N T S


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R F O U R - F R O N T I R C O R P S

Frontier Corps North West Frontier Province Historical Prospective

Defining the Force

Frontier Corps and the Rifles

The Organization - 2008


C O N T E N T S

vi


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R F I V E - K H Y B E R R I F L E S

Khyber Rifles Origin of Khyber Rifles

Gaining Foothold

British Administration

Reflections of Khyber Rifles

Warden of Khyber

The Commandants

Historical Expeditions and Operations


C O N T E N T S

vii


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R F I V E - K H Y B E R R I F L E S

Present Eminence of Khyber Rifles Organization

Wings of Khyber Rifles


C O N T E N T S

vii


C O N T E N T S

C H A P T E R S I X - P I C T O R I A L

Khyber Gallery Khyber Rifles’ Fort

Khyber Officer’s Mess

Visitor’s Gallery

Visits - Foreign Delegations

Visits - National Delegations

Heritage and Village Mathra

About the Author – Left Flap Veteran's View – Right Flap


C O N T E N T S

viii

Major General Alam Khattak Inspector General Frontier Corps, NWFP

Brigadier Fiaz Mahmood Qamer Sector Commander Centre

Colonel Qaiser Alam Commandant Khyber Rifles

It gives me an immense pleasure to know that the book “Journey to Khyber Rifles” on the history of Khyber Rifles has been completed to cite a very wealthy and splendid history, spread over a period of over a century. The Khyber Rifles was initially raised in the form of local levies under the Political Agents for maintenance of law and order in their respective areas. While still maintaining their tradition, the Militia, Scouts and Rifles have become a potent paramilitary force, which is capable of fighting in any terrain to guard the frontiers. The force can rightly be called “ The Guardians of the Khyber Pass” for its excellent role in the defense of Pakistan. While having the honour of commanding this unique and elite force as Inspector General, I found the Khyber Rifles the best out fit of Frontier Corps. Due to rich cultural heritage of Khyber Rifles the foreign dignitaries are enchanted to visit the outfit. The visit by famous world leaders and dignitaries from all over the world has been made part of history of Khyber Rifles. I am confident that the book will, to a great extent, fill the void that existed in out history and serve as a guide for our officers. I congratulate the Commandant and his team for seeing the project with personal interest in publishing this book.

IGFC’s Message

Messages

Major General Alam Khattak Inspector General Frontier Corps, NWFP

xii

I am immensely pleased to write that the publication “ A Journey to Khyber Rifles – Commandant’s Diary 2005 – 2008” bears the remarkable style and qualitative inputs. This book provides an excellent account of history to reflect the reader, understanding of tribal system, customs, traditions and importance to deal the critical masses. I, congratulate the Commandant Colonel Qaiser Alam and his team for completing this project with lot of hard work, zeal and enthusiasm. It is appreciable that the history of Afghanistan has been added as first chapter, without which this publication would have been incomplete and unjustified. I, once again commend the efforts of editorial board for selecting quality contents and making this book more informative and interesting for the reader.

Sector Commander’s Message

Brigadier Fiaz Mahmood Qamer Sector Commander Centre

xiii Messages

Commandant’s Message Khyber Rifles is the pioneer military setup in entire Indo – Pak subcontinent, which was raised as a levies force to guard the interests of British government in Khyber Agency. When I, joined this prime unit in 2005 I, found myself difficult to merge with the system of militia force, tribal customs and traditions. It amplified my eagerness to merge within tribal environment once I went through the history of Khyber Agency and Rifles. I would say that without understanding the historical importance of Afghanistan it would be unjustified to understand own tribesmen, areas, and dynamics to deal with local population. Therefore, I felt it imperative to search out the facets of history of Afghanistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Khyber Agency and Khyber Rifles for better command and control of the area. While appreciating the author on his achievement, I congratulate Major Faheem Aslam Memon and Major Shozaib Majeed for recording the history in the form of this book with profound hard work and keen interest.

Colonel Qaiser Alam Commandant Khyber Rifles

xiv Messages

A Journey through Khyber Rifles, Commandant’s Diary 2005 – 2008, first edition has been compiled under the directions of Colonel Qaiser Alam, Commandant Khyber Rifles (2005 – 2008). The sole idea behind this premiere issue is to edify the officers joining the Frontier Corps, Khyber Rifles and even to all cadres of intellectuals; about the precious history of Afghanistan in general and FATA – Khyber Agency in particular. For those getting acquainted with FATA and Khyber Agency, be it for few days or several years, memories of extra ordinary people, moments, faces, destines are there for the rest of the life. FATA are the areas with varied contrast, united in faith, casted in ethnic diversity that often seems to mock the notion of stable existence. During Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, million of refugees had fled to neighboring Pakistan, lived for decades as refugees, born as refugees and waiting for better environment to allow them to return to their homes. The history of FATA and Khyber Agency will provide an account of past and present scenarios at parity. Similar hostile environment from tribal groups against the British expeditionary of 18th Century and coalition forces of 21st Century remains common since anticipation.

With friendly war ties between Afghan and FATA tribes, increased the threat dynamics inside Afghanistan and Pakistan. Khyber Rifles being the oldest militia unit, possesses remarkable historical perspective through ages. Generations have served in this elite and legendary outfit, on which many books have been written by famous authors and a movie King of the Khyber Rifles have been made in Hollywood. Many Heads of State and international figures have visited the Khyber Rifles, themselves make it a privileged history. Presently, we are confronted with new challenges and responsibilities. To keep ourselves abreast of changing dynamics of warfare, we need to understand the historical perspective of Afghan, FATA and particularly Khyber Agency to deal the critical situations faced in 21st Century. This publication has been prepared to enhance the knowledge of our officers and possesses the essence of attracting the reader till last page.

Foreword

Major Faheem Aslam Memon Jazailchies’ 21st Century

14 August 2008

xv

“ Without making a mention of Afghanistan it would be unjustified to record the history of

Khyber Rifles “ Colonel Qaiser Alam

1

Then & Now

Chapter One - Afghanistan

Afghanistan is located in the center or middle of Asia. The country is landlocked and mountainous, containing most of the Hindu Kush. There are four major rivers in the country: the Amu Darya, the Hari River, the Kabul River and the Helmand River. The country also contains a number of smaller rivers, lakes, and streams. Afghanistan has a total of 5529 km of borders, including the land area borders, with the longest being the 2,640 km border known as the Durand Line to the south and southeast with Pakistan followed by a 936 km border with Iran to the west. The nation is also bordered by the Central Asian states of Tajikistan (1,206 km), Turkmenistan (744 km), and Uzbekistan (137 km) in the north. It has a further 76km border with China on Terrain is mostly rugged mountains the Hindu Kush and connected ranges; plains in north and southwest and large areas of sandy desert near the southern border with Pakistan. Afghanistan's natural resources include: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, uranium, gold, silver, chromate, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones. The Hindu Kush reaches a height of 7485 meters / 24,557 ft. at Nowshak, Afghanistan's highest peak. Of the ranges extending southwestward from the Hindu Kush, the Koh-i-Baba reaches the greatest height (Shah Fuladi, 5,142 meters / 16,870 ft).

Geography

Topography of Afghanistan

2

3

The Safed Koh Range, which includes the Tora Bora area, dominates the border area southeast of Kabul. Important passes include the Unai Pass across the Sanglakh Range and the Kotal-e Salang, connecting Kabul with central and northern Afghanistan, respectively. The approaches to the Khyber Pass across the Safed Koh are in eastern Afghanistan; the summit of the pass at 1070 meters / 3,509 ft at Landikotal, Pakistan is five kilometers east of the border town of Torkham. Other key passages through the mountainous Pakistan border include two from Paktika Province into Pakistan's Waziristan region one at Angoor Ada, a village that straddles both sides of the border east of Shkin and further south, the Gumal River crossing, plus the Charkai River passage south of Khowst, Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Ghulam Khan village into North Waziristan. The busy Pakistan border crossing at Wesh, just northwest of Chaman, Pakistan connecting Kandahar and Spin Boldak, Afghanistan to Quetta, Pakistan is in a flat, dry area though this route involves Pakistan's Khojak Pass at 2,707 meters / 8,881 ft just 14 km from the border.

Geography

Mountains of Afghanistan


4 Chapter One - Afghanistan

Chapter One - Afghanistan 5


Life in the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan has never been easy. A nation of farmers and nomads, the country has been at the crossroads of conquest, overrun by military form Europe and Asia and at times conquering its neighbours. Men were living in the caves of northern Afghanistan more than 50,000 years ago. Afghan tribes were among the first farmers herding goats, sheep and barely as early as 11,000 years ago. Northwest Afghanistan may have been the birthplace of Zarathustra, founder of Zoroastrianism, a form of monotheism in which good and evils struggle for control of the universe. It followers in the region included Darius the Great, who welded the Achaemenid Empire from the Mediterranean to India. The capital of Afghanistan and its largest populated cities Kabul, which is located in the east-central part of the country at an altitude of l,800 meters / 5,900 ft. The city is connected by road to most Afghan provinces and neighboring countries to the North and East. The current boundaries of Afghanistan were established in the late 19th century in the context of rivalry with Britain and Russia. Modern Afghanistan became a pawn in struggles over political ideology and commercial influence. In the late 20th century Afghanistan suffered ruinous effects of prolonged civil war (the 90's), invasion by the Soviet Union (1979), and Soviet military presence (1979-89).

Zarathustra

City of Kabul, Afghanistan and the Safed Koh mountain range in background



Darius was born in 522 B.C , the year that invading Nomade from Central Asiaarathustra near the northern Afghan town of Balkh. Darius found the conquest of the Afghan tribes extremely difficult, despite his offering a system of empire that permitted individuals peoples to exist under their own leaders. As a result of continuing Afghan opposition to his rule, Darius was force to maintain substantial garrisons in the area to put down revolts. The mountain tribes of Bactria as part of Afghanistan was the known proved a difficult barrier to Alexander the Great, too as they joined their Persian enemies to resist the Macedonia conqueror. In a effort to block his passage through their territory the Bactrians destroyed everything that might provide food or shelter to his troops. In the end Alexander forces overrun the area, but instead conqueror, Afghan nomadic tribes continued attack his outposts, relying on their superior mobility to ambush, encircle and massacre his forces. Such constant harassment may have contributed to rebellion among his advancing troops, eventually forcing his return to Babylon where his early death in 323 B.C brought an end to his plan for world domination. After Alexander the Afghan tribes rebelled. For the two centuries Greek descendants of Alexander general’s in Bactria and India ruled the area.

Stone carving depicts Darius the Great, and his son and successor Xerxes I

Alexander the Great became king of Macedonia when his father, Philip II, was assassinated in 336 BC.

6


Among the notable rules were Ashoka, who slaughters more than 100,000 civilians at Kalinga before his conversion to Buddhism. The area of Gandara, southeast of Kabul gave birth to the dominant form of modern Buddhism practiced in China, Korea and Japan. Islam however swept into the area about 700 A.D The Arab Muslims conquered in part by permitting local rulers to stay in power, assisted by Arab Military governors and tax collectors. Buddhism declined and Islam began its influence. A thousand years ago Mahmud, a brilliant Afghan general whose capital was at a Ghazni greatly expended his empire by conquering parts of Persia, northwest India and the Punjab. Mahmud forcefully introduced Islam to India. His rule brought a rebirth in learning and art to Afghanistan. In 1220 A.D., Genghis Khan began a destructive conquest that ranged across China, Central Asia, and Russia, devastating Afghanistan as well. Heart, Bamiyan, and other cities were obliterated, as were previous irrigation systems. A century and a half later, Timor the Lame (Tamerlane), and Uzbek, smashed a Tajik dynasty that had come to power in the area. Tamerlane built an empire that ranged from Turkey to India. The Timrod dynasty produced art of astonishing beauty, including several national treasures endangered by the current war.


Mughal Qur’anic inspiration in Delhi

Statue of Buddha

7



Babur, a descendant of the lines of both Tamerlane and Genghis Khan, emerged from Kabul to fund the Moghul (Mongol) dynasty. Between 1500 and 1700 the Safavids of Persia and the Moghuls of India fought the control of Afghanistan. Despite the endless struggles of empire builders, many Afghan tribes kept their independence, battling both the ruling powers and other Afghans. In 1747, Ahmad Shah, who took the name Durrani, was crowned king in Kandahar. Within a few years his empire encompassed Kashmir, the Punjab, and Baluchistan. Following his death in 1772, however, these areas were lost and the nation fell into internal dissension, as members of the same tribe and even the same family struggled to power, splitting the country into many fragments. During the 1800s, as Russia moved into the Muslim areas of Central Asia, Britain expanded through India, sending military forces into Afghanistan in the First Anglo – Afghan War (1839 – 1842). The British placed Shah Shuja, who had ruled Afghanistan from 1803 to 1809 on the throne. The Afghans rebelled against the military occupation and the leader imposed on them by a foreign power. Dost Mohammad, who had ruled parts of Afghanistan from 1818 to 1840, crossed the border to Bukhara where he was imprisoned. He escaped from prison and returned to lead the insurrection.

Tamerlane (1333 – 1405)

Genghis Khan (1167-1227)

8

In 1841, several English envoys were killed in violent demonstrations in Kabul and again during conferences to negotiate a British withdrawal. Payments were made to Afghan tribal leaders to assure safe passage out of the country for the invaders, but hostile tribes slaughtered or scattered virtually all of the 4,500 British and Indian troops and their 12,000 camp followers as they withdrew to Peshawar. Shah Shuja was killed after the British left Kabul. In 1878, Britain brought Baluchistan, previously part of Afghan territory, into its Empire. During a period of concern about Russian efforts to gain a foothold in Afghanistan, British envoys were again murdered in Kabul. Following this Second Anglo – Afghan War (1878 – 1880), the British turned the country over to Abdur Rahman Khan, grandson of Dost Mohammad, and withdrew their troops. In exchange, the new Amir of Kabul agreed to allow Britain to manage Afghanistan’s foreign affairs. Amir Abdur Rahman Khan had been an exile in Russia for a dozen years prior to taking power, A skillful negotiator with remarkable vision, the Iron Amir, as he came to be know was jailed for a year as a boy after he shot and kill a servant, reportedly to determine for himself that his rifle would indeed kill a human being.


Abdur Rahman Khan (1844-1901) Amir and founder of modern Afghanistan



The Amir described his task as one of putting in order “all those hundreds of petty chiefs, robbers and cutthroats and substituting one grand community under one law and one rule”. A series of small wars subdued various tribal factions, and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan succeeded in molding the modern nation of Afghanistan. In the 1890s, the country’s borders were set by the Russian and British Indian governments so that Afghanistan provided a buffer between the two empires separated at one point by a narrow strip of rugged mountain land less than 15 kilometers (10 miles) wide. In 1893, Sir Mortimer Durand, the foreign secretary of the colonial government of India, negotiated an agreement with the King of Afghanistan, Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, to delineate a border.



Modern Afghanistan

Before the death of Amir Abdur Rehman in 1901, the Iron Amir had succeeded in bringing Afghanistan under his sole control. He had also laid the foundation for a modern representative government. Abdur Rahman’s oldest son, Habibullah, came to power without a revolt by other family members or rival tribal leaders. The British, however, hoping to strengthen their hold on Afghanistan, refused to recognize treaties signed with Habibullah’s father. They blocked arms shipments through India and threatened war when the new king refused to renegotiate the treaties. Among the British goals were permission to build a railroad into Afghanistan and to connect the Afghan telecommunications network with that of British India. Amir Habibullah refused the British requests, following his father’s advice to limit relations with those powerful nations in a position to threaten Afghanistan’s security. In the end, the British signed a new treaty essentially confirming the past arrangement which gave the British control of Afghanistan’s foreign policy. Before his assassination in 1919, Habibullah had begun a slow process of modernization, bringing the country Habibia School, new roads, modern machinery, electricity, and a Persian newspaper.

Amir Habibullah

At the time of Habibullah’s murder near Jalalabad, his third son, Amanullah, who was left in charge of the citadel containing the treasury in Kabul, proclaimed himself king, displacing Nasrullah Khan, Habibullah’s younger brother. Amanullah announced an end to British domination of Afghanistan’s foreign policy, an act which led to the Third Anglo – Afghan War. Following this brief border conflict during the summer of 1919, the country’s independence was recognized and diplomatic relations were established with the outside world. In 1928, Amanullah’s effort to modernize dramatically on a European model offended Afghan tradition and social structure, leading to civil war, and his exile. For nine months, the country was ruled by a Tajik villager called by some Bacha-i-Sagao (son of the water carrier). He ruled using the name Habibullah – II, until Amanullah’s cousins Mohammad Nadir Khan and his brothers, who had lived in India recovered Kabul.

Modern Afghanistan

Amanullah Khan



Modern Afghanistan

Muhammad Nadir Khan

As Shah, Nadir created military and medical colleges, a literary academy, and other new schools, Graduates went abroad for advanced studies. In 1931, a constitution providing for a legislature of two houses was introduced. The following year, Nadir Shah executed a suspected plotter without trial and set in motion a blood feud which led to his assassination in 1933. As a result, Nadir Shah’s 19 years old son, Mohammad Zahir Shah, came to power. Zahir Shah’s 40 year reign was marked by cautious progress. After World War II, conflict arose over the areas of British India near the Afghanistan border that were inhabited by Pushtun tribes. Afghanistan believed these tribal areas should be given the right to be independent or, perhaps, join Afghanistan. In the 1969 election, the communists lost 2 of their 4 seats in parliament as more conservatives took part in the national election. The new constitution denied members of the royal family an active role in the government, but former prime minister Daoud, with the support of communist elements, particularly in the Army, took advantage of dissatisfaction with government management to change the rules by force.

Afghan king Zahir Shah (1914 – 2007)

16

Nur Mohammad Taraki, son of a shepherd and a government information official who had worked as a translator for the US. government in secretary general. Among its early leaders were Hafizullah Amin, a high school principal educated in the United States and Babrak Karmal, son of an Afghan Army general. Marxists won 4 of the 216 seats in the 1965 parliament. Than, in 1967, the party split into two factions. The Khalq (“masses”) faction, headed by Taraki and Amin, had followers in the Soviet-trained army, among Pushtuns, and in some rural areas. The Parcham (“banner”) faction, headed by Babrak Karmal, was smaller, with a following among Persian – speaking urbanites and students, particularly in Kabul. Karmal had close ties to the Soviet Embassy. On July 17, 1973, while the King Zahir Shah was out of the country, Daoud took power with little bloodshed. He abolished the monarchy and declared Afghanistan a republic. At first, Daoud brought the country closer to the Soviet Union and into conflict with Pakistan. After little more than a year, however, he eliminated communists from the cabinet posts they had been given for aiding the coup.

Modern Afghanistan

Nur Muhammad Taraki

Babrak Karmal



Modern Afghanistan

With Daoud’s leadership and foreign aid, Afghanistan built modern dams, irrigation systems, highways, and airport. Basic industries were modernized, and natural resources were brought into production. During his tenure women were first allowed to appear unveiled in public, leading to more active role in society. It also ended the autocratic rule of Prime Minister Mohammad Daoud Khan, cousin and brother-in-law to the King. Daoud’s rule from 1953-63 brought Afghanistan closer to the Soviet Union, which became the country’s primary source of economic aid and trade particularly after the dispute with Pakistan blocked shipments through the vital port of Karachi. By 1977, Daoud had formed closer ties with Pakistan and Iran, which offered $2 billion in aid over a ten-year period. He declared his desire for non-alignment and began to reduce Soviet influence. Introducing a new constitution, Daoud took firm control of the government, naming close associates to key positions. Only his own National Revolutionary party was permitted to operate legally. By 1978, Daoud had fallen out of favor with Muslim fundamentalist, army officers, and the displaced members of both wings of the communist party.

Muhammad Daoud Khan


Modern Afghanistan

Following a funeral procession which brought as many as 10,000 antigovernment demonstrators into the streets on April 19, 1978, an alarmed Daoud ordered the arrests of key leftist leaders including Nur Mohammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin and Babrak Karmal. Daoud failed, however, to arrest the leftists in the military, and on April 27, 1978, they moved with tanks and air power against the palace. The following day it fell, and Daoud was killed, as were his brother, wife, and most of his children and grandchildren. The communist people’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, which took power in the April (Muslim month of Saur) Revolution was badly divided. Taraki and the Khalq leaders who gained control first purged top officials of the Daoud regime, then they eliminated members of the smaller Parcham faction favored by the Soviets. Taraki’s attempt to introduce drastic changes alienated the Afghan people. Communist bureaucrats came into the countryside, interfering with local self-rule and disturbing traditional cultural and religious patterns. The removal and imprisonment of experienced government administrators caused economic disruptions. In the rural areas, land redistribution efforts were seen as violating property rights under Islamic Law. The government’s effort to take over farm credit from private hands moved so slowly that farmers were unable to plant their corps.

19

Modern Afghanistan

Having moved quickly into power when the

opportunity arose, the People’s Democratic party of Afghanistan found itself unable to govern. In the rural areas, resistance to the communists turned violent. Soon after Afghanistan faced the era of civil wars and lawlessness inviting Russians to prologue war against Afghan sovereignty in 1979 with unjustified pretext.



Afghanistan at War

In the summer of 1978, armed revolt against the Marxist government of Nur Mohammad Taraki began in Kunar, Nuristan and Badakhshan, spreading quickly to engulf the country. By 1979, Afghan Army soldiers were joining the resistance to the Kabul government. In March, defecting troops and resistance fighters gained control of Heart for three days, killing government officials, Soviet advisors and their families.

In April of 1979, government troops massacred more than a thousand men and boys in the village of Kerala in the Kunar valley because they wouldn’t shout their support of the communist regime. In July, the Soviet Union moved an airborne battalion (about 400 men) to Bagram air base. In August, one of the barracks in Kabul mutinied. A request for additional military aid was granted, and team of more than 60 officers, including a dozen generals, arrived in Kabul for two-month survey. Heading the survey was the commander-in-chief of all Soviet ground forces, a general who had commanded Soviet troops in the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. While the Soviet military survey was underway, a struggle for power erupted between Taraki and his deputy Hafizullah Amin. In September Taraki and Amin were involved in a gun battle. In October, Taraki was murdered and Amin took power. From mid-summer on, Soviet troops, military equipment, and supplies were assembled in Central Asia. Early in December, they massed along the Amu Darya at the Afghan border.

Soviet invasion - 1979

Afghanistan at War

Afghan famous traditional game, Buzkashi

The United States observed the Soviet moves, but did not warn Amin, in did not even inform its embassy in Kabul. Only mild warnings were made to Moscow. Nevertheless, in a printed circular, Amin warned Kabulis to take precautions against imminent foreign intervention. In the late December, Soviet military advisors had Afghan Army tanks stripped of their batteries “for winterizing”. Ammunition was called in “for inventorying ”. On December 24, key Afghan officers were invited to a celebration, then locked in a banquet room by their Soviet advisors. Meanwhile, more than 300 Soviet transport aircraft began landing at Kabul airport, delivering 5,000 men and equipment. Four Soviet motorized infantry divisions crossed the border, moving overland to Heart, Kandahar, Kabul, and the Iranian border. Despite careful planning, Soviet troops met stiff resistance from units of the Afghan Army. For three days they battled for control of Kabul, with heavy fighting at the radio station and presidential places. On the night of December 27, a special Soviet assault unit overran Amin’s palace, kicking him and several members of his family. That evening, a Soviet radio station calling itself “Radio Kabul” announced Amin had been executed and that the Afghan government had requested military assistance. On December 31, the Soviets flew Babrak Karmal into Afghanistan from the USSR and the leader of the Parcham faction took power.



Afghanistan at War

Soviet trooper at Kandahar

Chronology of War 1980 – 1986

• January 1980 , 40000 Soviet Combat troops deployed in major Afghan cities.

• February 1980, In Kabul a general strike by shopkeeper and civil services lead to rioting, hundreds are shot by police or Soviet military, Soviet troops strength increased to 75,000.

• April and May 1980, High school students boycott classes and demonstrate against Soviet and government; dozen killed.

• October 1980, Curfew hours in Kabul lengthened to discourage demonstrators.

• April 1981, Threat against regime leads to removal of four Afghan army units from Kabul and replacement by Soviet Troops.

• June 1981, Resistance forces set fire at Bagram air base north of Kabul ammunition dump explodes.

• July 1981, Soviet and Afghan Army unsuccessfully attack to eliminate guerrilla base at Paghman, 12 miles north of Kabul.

• January 1982, Soviet victory at Parwan; 1,000 guerrillas killed, executed, or imprisoned in worst defeat in war.

• May 1982, In largest counter – offensive against guerrillas, four divisions supported by jets and helicopters invade Panjsher Valley; guerrillas withdraw but later regain control.


Afghanistan at War

• Summer 1982, Soviets bomb and shell Kandahar and Heart in attempt to end resistance domination of these cities.

• March 1983, Kabul bank, bus station, and market bombed by resistance forces.

• June 1983, guerrillas destroy elite Afghan commando battalion in three day battle in Paktia.

• Spring 1984, Soviets make fourth major assault on Panjsher Valley, gaining control of most of lower valley.

• August 1984, Soviet / Afghan bombing badly damages Pakistani village of Teri Mangal, guerrilla staging area southwest of Khyber Pass.

• January 1985, Kabul military hospital hit by major explosion.

• March 1985, Panjsher guerrillas destroy 60 vehicles in munitions convoy near Salang Tunnel.

• June 1985, 20 aircraft destroyed by Afghan Air Force saboteurs at Shindand air base south of Heart.

• July 1985, 10,000 Soviet and government troops, in sixth major Panjsher Valley offensive, retake major government outpost at Peshghor, lost to guerrillas in late spring.

Mujahideen (Islamic guerrillas) stand on top of a Soviet helicopter they brought down in Afghanistan’s Panjsher Valley, north of Kabul, in 1979.


Afghanistan at War

Taliban forces patrol the front north of Kabul

After seven years of Soviet occupation and nearly nine years of warfare between the communist government and various guerrilla groups, the Afghan war remains a bloody stalemate in which each side hopes to exhaust the other. More than 80 percent of the countryside is in the hands of various resistance groups, while government and Soviet troops maintain tenuous control of the larger cities and numerous fortified military garrisons around the country. During 1986, the communists moved toward reducing the scale of the war by making rapid deployments of smaller forces 1,000 men or less, usually brought in by air – to strike at guerrilla strongholds and supply points. To win the support of the populace, the Soviet backed government has forced the resignation of Babrak Karmal, installed shortly after the 1979 invasion. On May 15 the Soviet Union began withdrawing its combat units from Afghanistan, thereby breaking the military stalemate after more than eight years of war. Soviet forces estimated to number 115,000 troops in early 1988 (the official Soviet figure was 100,300) had been backing a Marxist government in Kabul against Afghan insurgents or Mujahedeen. The phased withdrawal was to be 50 percent complete by mid August 1988 and fully executed by mid February 1989. The Soviet troop withdrawals were in compliance with accords signed April 14 in Geneva, involving Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the United States and the Soviet Union as Co – guarantors.

Wreckage of a truck, presumably bombed by guerrilla fighter


War Losses

In a country that had no accurate census prior to the outbreak of hostilities, where fighting is scattered across hundreds of mountain ranges and hidden valleys, and where actual numbers of combatants are well – kept secrets, accurate estimates of casualties are difficult to obtain. The following estimates are an approximation based on an analysis of data from a variety of sources. By the end of 1986, Soviet deaths are believed to have passed 10,000, with more than 30,000 wounded. Afghan Army deaths may exceed 20,000, with 40,000 injured. Resistance forces may have had more than 20,000 dead and 40,000 wounded. The number of confirmed civilian deaths appears to be on the order of 100,000 with another 200,000 injured in the conflict. Total casualties (dead and injured) are now above 500,000 (150,000) dead; 350,000 wounded). Not included in this total are those dead or permanently disabled --- perhaps as many as a million people, as a result of dysentery, hepatitis, malaria, measles, tuberculosis, and other diseases whose incidence has increased due to the war and is aggravated by the lack of health facilities. In addition to extensive damage in Heart and other cultural centers, the loss of life, and the destruction of countless village, military equipment and manpower valued in excess of $ 15 billion dollars has been consumed in the first seven years of the war. To deny guerrillas access to food, Soviet and Afghan joint forces have destroyed much of the farmland and livestock in those areas of the country where fighting has been active.


Taliban Regime

The Taliban movement emerged out of the chaos and uncertainty of the Afghan-Soviet War (1979-1989) and subsequent civil war in Afghanistan. During the 1980s Afghanistan was occupied by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and ruled by a Soviet-backed government. Afghanistan’s long war with the USSR was largely fought by mujahedeen (Islamic guerrilla) factions with assistance from the United States; Pakistan also provided places of refuge, military training, and other support. After the Soviets completed their withdrawal in 1989, civil war broke out between the mujahedeen factions and the central government. Afghanistan’s central government had long been dominated by the country’s majority ethnic group, the Pashtuns, but after the Soviet withdrawal a coalition government that included Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras, and other minority groups came to power. The Taliban emerged as a faction of mujahedeen soldiers who identified themselves as religious students. The Taliban consisted mostly of Pashtuns intent on once again dominating the central government in Kabul. The Taliban actively recruited thousands of young men in the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. Many war orphans also joined the movement. The Taliban promoted itself as a new force for peace and unity, and many war-weary Afghan people, particularly Pashtuns, supported the Taliban in hopes of respite from years of war.

Origins and Rise to Power


Taliban Regime

In late 1994 and early 1995 the Taliban moved through the south and west of Afghanistan, taking control of Kandahar and many other towns and cities dominated by fellow Pashtuns. Herat and most of the other towns along the main southern and western highway soon followed. In February 1995 the Taliban reached the outskirts of Kabul but was ousted by government forces in March. Again it advanced to the capital in October. While continuing to assault Kabul with rockets and bombs, Taliban soldiers advanced and took control of eastern Afghanistan, as well as the country’s central area. The Taliban continued its siege of Kabul off and on throughout 1996 until it was able to advance and capture the city in September. Government troops and officials, including President Burhanuddin Rabbani and Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, fled to the northern part of the country. Shortly after the capital fell to the Taliban, the country’s last Soviet-backed president, Mohammad Najibullah, and his brother, security chief Shahpur Ahmadzai, were seized and publicly hanged. After taking over Kabul, Taliban leaders began to institute an uncompromising regime. Their basic premise was to enforce a purist way of life based on their fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. They immediately created the Ministry for Ordering What Is Right and Forbidding What is Wrong to impose and enforce their rules of conduct.

Former President of Afghanistan Mohammad Najibullah, hanged by Taliban


Taliban Regime

Mohammed Omar led the Taliban as Amir-ul-Momineen (Commander of the Faithful). He was the supreme leader in a strictly hierarchical system of rule. He was advised on various matters by members of special Shuras (councils) composed of high-ranking Taliban leaders. Ultimately Omar was the only individual who could issue an official edict. Many of the Taliban edicts had little to do with pure Islam or the teachings of the Qur'an and were actually based in ancient tribal rules and customs. Most of the rules reflected a disenchantment with modern life. The Taliban continually issued new rules and used Radio Kabul and trucks equipped with loudspeakers to announce them. The rules of conduct eventually covered almost every aspect of social behavior by the population, even forbidding things such as clapping, kite flying, and squeaky shoes. The Taliban religious police enforced the new rules and punished anyone found disobeying. They inflicted many of the punishments on the spot, usually ruthlessly, without offering the offender any sort of judicial hearing. The Taliban allowed public beatings and stoning, sometimes fatal, of women who violated the dress code or were escorted by men not related to them. Any person found not praying at the required times was imprisoned. The Taliban leaders also mandated specific punishments for other types of crimes. They made murder, adultery and drug dealing punishable by death, and theft

Mullah Mohammed Omar

Kabul - 1989


Taliban Regime

punishable by amputation of the hand. Many of the Taliban laws and punishments alarmed human-rights groups and provoked worldwide condemnation. The Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 1996 paved the way for additional territorial conquests, and Taliban soldiers advanced north toward the mountain strongholds of the Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Hazaras. By the late 1990s the Taliban had taken control of almost all of Afghanistan. Opposition forces, commonly known as the Northern Alliance, held a small portion of the country’s territory in the north. Most countries did not recognize the Taliban regime as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The Taliban regime provided safe harbor for Osama bin Laden, a militant Islamic leader who was identified by the United States as the mastermind of terrorist attacks against US. embassies in Africa in 1998 and US. landmarks in the United States on September 11, 2001. After the 2001 attacks, which killed thousands of people, the United States declared a war on terrorism. Taliban leaders refused US. demands to surrender bin Laden, and in October the United States began aerial bombings of terrorist training camps and Taliban military positions. Ground troops of the Northern Alliance, meanwhile, continued their front-line offensive against Taliban forces in northern Afghanistan.


Taliban Regime

The Taliban lost its hold on power in November

when the Northern Alliance, aided by US led bombardments, captured Kabul and other key cities. The Taliban surrendered its traditional stronghold of Kandahar in early December. Coalition forces occupied the land of Afghanistan with accelerated momentum and wiped up the governance of Mullah Omer’s led Taliban.

Since then, the war on terror is on and clashes between

Taliban guerrillas continues. In the process of empowerment many lives had been lost, and many to come, the turmoil in the soil of Afghan never ends. From Amirs to Kings, and to Presidents, Afghan people had been subject to face the main brunch of wars in the history of world. Although Afghanistan remained neutral during World War – II, but it may become the flash point of Third World War in coming future.

Allah may bless, sovereignty and peace to Afghanistan in future. Ameen!

Osama bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi exile, is believed to be responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.



The War on Terror

Background: 1996 – 2001

From May 1996, Osama bin Laden had been living in Afghanistan along with other members of al-Qaeda, operating terrorist training camps in a loose alliance with the Taliban. Following the 1998 US embassy bombings in Africa, the US military launched submarine-based cruise missiles at these camps with limited effect on their overall operations. The UN Security Council had issued Resolutions 1267 and 1333 in 1999 and 2000 directed towards the Taliban which applied financial and military hardware sanctions to encourage them to turn over bin Laden for trial in the deadly bombings of two US. embassies in Africa in August 1998, and close terrorist training camps. Six days after the events of September 11, 2001, US. President George W. Bush identified Osama bin Laden as the 'Prime Suspect' in the attacks. Osama bin Laden was understood to be in Afghanistan at the time. On 20 September 2001, in an address to a joint session of Congress, President Bush issued an ultimatum, demanding that the Taliban government of Afghanistan : -

• Deliver al-Qaeda leaders located in Afghanistan to the United States.

• Release all imprisoned foreign nationals, including American citizens.

• Close terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. • Give the United States full access to terrorist training

camps to verify their closure.


The War on Terror

The Taliban government responded through their embassy in Pakistan, asserting that there was no evidence in their possession linking Bin Laden to the September 11 attacks. They also stressed that Bin Laden was a guest in their country. Pashtun and Taliban codes of behavior require that guests be granted hospitality and asylum. On September 22, 2001, the United Arab Emirates and on the following day, Saudi Arabia withdrew their recognition of the Taliban as the legal government of Afghanistan, leaving neighboring Pakistan as the only remaining country with diplomatic ties. On October 7, 2001, before the onset of military hostilities, the Taliban offered to try Bin Laden in Afghanistan in an Islamic court. This offer was rejected by the US, and the bombing of targets within Afghanistan by US – British forces commenced the same day. October 14, 2001, seven days into the US – British bombing campaign, the Taliban offered to surrender Osama bin Laden to a third country for trial, if the bombing halted and they were shown evidence of his involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks. This offer was also rejected by US. President Bush, who declared "There's no need to discuss innocence or guilt, We know he's guilty.“

Lost in War : Well known Sharbat Gula

US troops at Helmand


The War on Terror

On October 7th, 2001, strikes were reported in the capital, Kabul at the airport and military nerve-centres of Kandahar (home of the Taliban's Supreme Leader Mullah Omar) and in the city of Jalalabad. At 17:00 UTC, President Bush confirmed the strikes on national television and British Prime Minister Tony Blair also addressed the UK. The strikes initially focused on the area in and around the cities of Kabul, Jalalabad, and Kandahar. Within a few days, most Al - Qaeda training sites were severely damaged and the Taliban's air defenses were destroyed. The campaign then focused on command, control, and communication targets which weakened the ability of the Taliban forces to communicate. However, the line facing the Afghan Northern Alliance held, and no tangible battlefield successes had yet occurred on that front. Two weeks into the campaign, the Northern Alliance demanded the air campaign focus more on the front lines. As the war dragged on civilian casualties also began to mount in the affected areas. Meanwhile, thousands of Pashtun militiamen from Pakistan poured into the country, reinforcing the Taliban against the US. led forces. During the early months of the war the US military had a limited presence on the ground. The plan was that special forces, and intelligence officers with a military background, would serve as liaisons with Afghan militias opposed to the Taliban, would advance after the cohesiveness of the Taliban forces was disrupted by American air power.


The War on Terror

The Tora Bora Mountains lie roughly east of Afghanistan's capital Kabul, which is itself close to the border with Pakistan. American intelligence analysts believed that the Taliban and Al – Qaeda had dug in to a fortified networks of well-supplied caves and underground bunkers. The area was subjected to a heavy continuous bombardment by B-52 bombers. The US. forces and the Northern Alliance also began to diverge in their objectives. While the US. was continuing the search for Osama bin Laden, the Northern Alliance was pressuring for more support in their efforts to finish off the Taliban and control the country. Following Tora Bora, US. forces and their Afghan allies consolidated their position in the country. Following a Loya Jirga or Grand Council of major Afghan factions, tribal leaders, and former exiles, an interim Afghan government was established in Kabul under Hamid Karzai. US. forces established their main base at Bagram airbase just north of Kabul. Kandahar airport also became an important US. base. Several outposts were established in eastern provinces to hunt for Taliban and Al – Qaeda fugitives. Meanwhile, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda had not given up. Al – Qaeda forces began regrouping in the Shahi-Kot mountains of Paktia province during January and February 2002. A Taliban fugitive in Paktia province, Mullah Saifur Rehman, also began reconstituting some of his militia forces in support of the anti-U.S. fighters. They totaled over 1,000 by the beginning of March 2002.

US troops waiting for lift off to war zone

US forces preparing for war at other’s front


The War on Terror

The intention of the insurgents was to use the region as a base area for launching guerrilla attacks and possibly a major offensive in the style of the Mujahideen who battled Soviet forces during the 1980s. After managing to evade US. forces throughout the summer of 2002, the remnants of the Taliban gradually began to regain their confidence and started to begin preparations to launch the insurgency that Mullah Muhammad Omar had promised during the Taliban's last days in power. During September, Taliban forces began a recruitment drive in Pashtun areas in both Afghanistan and Pakistan to launch a renewed "Jihad" or Holy War against the Afghan government and the US led coalition. Pamphlets distributed in secret during the night also began to appear in many villages in the former Taliban heartland in southeastern Afghanistan that called for jihad. Small mobile training camps were established along the border with Pakistan by Al – Qaeda and Taliban fugitives to train new recruits in guerrilla warfare and terrorist tactics, according to Afghan sources and a United Nations report. Most of the new recruits were drawn from the maddarsas or religious schools of the tribal areas of Pakistan, from which the Taliban had originally arisen. Major bases, a few with as many as 200 men, were created in the mountainous border belt of tribal areas of Pakistan by the summer of 2003. The will of the Pakistani paramilitaries stationed at border crossings to prevent such infiltration was questioned and Pakistani military operations proved of little use.


The War on Terror

The Taliban gradually reorganized and reconstituted their forces over the winter, preparing for a summer offensive. They established a new mode of operation: gathered into groups of around 50 to launch attacks on isolated outposts and convoys of Afghan soldiers, police, or militia and then breaking up into groups of 5-10 men to evade subsequent offensives. US. forces in the strategy were attacked indirectly, through rocket attacks on bases and improvised explosive devices. To coordinate the strategy, Mullah Omar named a 10-man leadership council for the resistance, with himself at the head. Five operational zones were created, assigned to various Taliban commanders such as the key Taliban leader Mullah Dadullah, in charge of Zabul province operations. Al-Qaeda forces in the east had a bolder strategy of concentrating on the Americans and catching them when they could with elaborate ambushes. The strength of Taliban forces was estimated by Western officials and analysts at about 10,000 fighters fielded at any given time, During 2007, Taliban were composed of 2,000 to 3,000 highly motivated, full-time insurgents,. The rest were part-timers, made up of alienated, young Afghan men angry at bombing raids or fighting in order to get money.


The War on Terror

In 2007, more foreign fighters were showing up in Afghanistan than ever before, according to Afghan and United States officials an estimated 100 to 300 full-time combatants are foreigners, usually from Uzbekistan, Chechnya, various Arab countries and perhaps even Turkey and western China. They tend to be more fanatical and violent, and they often bring skills such as the ability to post more sophisticated videos on the Internet or bomb making expertise.

On July 13th, 2008, a coordinated insurgent--presumably Taliban attack was launched on a remote NATO base at Wanat in the Kunar province. Approximately 200 militants began firing rockets and mortars from the nearby village, taking ISAF forces by surprise. After causing serious damage to the integrity of the fortification, insurgents unsuccessfully attempted to storm the base. Although the militants briefly gained entry to a small forward observation post, the overall attack was repelled. In total 9 US soldiers were killed, and 19 ISAF and Afghan forces were wounded in the battle. Insurgents suffered several dozen losses as well. The attack showed a step up in bold maneuvers by an insurgent group usually fighting on the defensive, following a bold prison assault in June. The US said 40 other militants were killed in Helmand province in separate operations. [85] NATO forces announced that they have abandoned their outpost in the village.


ISAF in Afghanistan

On December 20, 2001, the United Nation Security Council authorized the creation of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) with authority to take all measures necessary to fulfill its mandate of assisting the Afghan Interim Authority in maintaining security. Command of the ISAF passed to NATO on August 11, 2003. Since the initial invasion period, these forces were augmented at different times by troops supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and/or the International Security Assistance Force. These forces were supported by main battle tanks (Canadian and Danish), artillery (British, Canadian and Dutch), ground-attack aircraft from France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom and transport aircraft from several nations. In 2006, there was an expansion of coalition forces with the NATO ISAF deployment in the south and east. In 2006, there were about 33,000 troops in Afghanistan. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was consisting of about 32,000 personnel of 34 nations and rose to 52,700 as on 10 June 2008. As of July 31, 2008, there have been 902 coalition deaths in Afghanistan as part of ongoing coalition operations (Operation Enduring Freedom and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)) : 561 American, 114 British, 88 Canadian, 25 German, 23 Spanish, 17 Danish, 16 Dutch, 12 French, 12 Italian, 7 Romanian, 6 Australian, 5 Polish, 3 Czech, 3 Estonian, 3 Norwegian, 2 Hungarian, 2 Portuguese, 2 Swedish, 1 Finnish, 1 Lithuanian, 1 South Korean.

ISAF’s Emblem

Lost in War


ISAF in Afghanistan

In 2008, muscles of NATO forces were flexed further more and coalition forces established various force headquarters in different provinces and zones in Afghanistan, close to Pakistan border.

Inauguration of Khyber Border Coordination Centre at Torkham, Afghanistan was held in June 2008. This centre was established with the representation of three forces i.e. ISAF, Pakistan and Afghanistan armed forces. The aim of the centre is to share intelligence and information of tactical importance, to react against any aggression with coordination amongst coalition partners.


ISAF Combat Support Operation’s Muscles


Border Coordination Centre

Colonel Qaiser Alam and Major Faheem Aslam Memon, Khyber Rifles with Coalition Forces’ Colonel Milhorn, Captain Krumm, Major Brown ,ISAF and Colonel Jarnal Khan, ANA at Border Coordination Centre, Afghanistan during Tri- partite Conference – June 2008



From left : Major Faheem Aslam Memon, Khyber Rifles, Colonel Jarnal Khan, ANA, Colonel Milhorn, ISAF, Colonel Qaiser Alam and Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahamd ,Khyber Rifles at Border Coordination Centre, Afghanistan during Tri- partite Conference – June 2008



LETS WE FORGET : Pakistani Delegation with Coalition Forces' Representatives at BCC, Afghanistan


Master Plan of Kabul - 2010

Chapter Two - FATA 51

Historic Perspective, The Tribal Area of Pakistan inhabitated by various Pakhtun tribes is a narrow tract that runs along the Indus and falls between the edge of administered districts of NWFP and Pakistan - Afghanistan border commonly known as Durand Line. Geographically, the tribal area lies on the apex of three of the highest mountain ranges in the world: the Hindu Kush Range, the Pamer and the Karakoram Range. Starting from the little Pamer in the north, it runs southwards through the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) consisting of seven agencies: Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North and South Waziristan Agencies and five Frontier Regions (FR) of Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, D.I. Khan and Tank with a total area of 27220 square kilometers. According to 1981 census, its population was 2198547; while in 1995, the Planning, Environment and Development Department, NWFP has worked out the total population of the area as 3355,000 square kilometers.

The FATA agencies were marked out by the British in the last decade of the 19th Century under the Forward Policy which required creation of a buffer zone against Afghanistan and Czarist Russia further north. The agencies were put under a separate setup of tribal administration where a carrot and stick policy followed by the British political Agent, belonging to Indian political and civil services, was successful in legitimizing power over tribal affairs through a selective class of tribal elders, known as “Maliks”. Every Malik representing a tribe or sub tribe was appointed by the political agents, who exercising absolute powers of reward and punishment to run an agency affairs, could nominate anyone for Malikship. No major changes have been made in the system since independence and the powers of political agents and Maliks are still being exercised unchallenged in the tribal area.

The Area and the People

Chapter Two- FATA 52


Chapter Two – FATA 53

For a long time, the “Closed Door Policy” of non-interference in the affairs of the area was pursued. The policy was aimed at protecting the administered area from tribal raids as arrangements were executed with different loyal tribes for maintenance of peace and order. Tribal outbursts however, did not cease and British cantonments and installations continued to remain targets of raids, provoking a series of expedition. This policy was abandoned in about 1876 in favour of another one known as the “Forward Policy” aimed at the physical occupation and direct administration of the area.

British relations with the tribesmen were at first conducted

through Deputy Commissioners of adjoining six settled districts while the Frontier was still a part of Punjab. In 1878, during the second Afghan war, a political officer was appointed for the Khyber Agency. In 1892 Kurram became another agency and three years later, the international boundary known as Durand Line was demarcated between Afghanistan and British India. The Malakand and Waziristan Agencies were created in 1895 - 96. Malakand at the outset was placed under the direct control of Government of India. When lord Curzon, Viceroy of India created NWFP in 1901, Sir Harold Deane was appointed as the first Chief Commissioner. It was only after the creation of Pakistan, three new agencies were created i.e Mohmand in 1951 and Bajaur and Orakzai in 1973.

Jazailchies prepared to ambush British troops’ advance to Khyber



Serial Agency Population Area

(Sq miles) HQ Main Tribes Created Remarks

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Bajaur Mohmand Khyber Orakzai Kurram North Waziristan

3,64,050

3,82,922

3,77,001

2,78,951

2,80,234

2,50,663

590

887

991

700

1305

1817

Khar Ghalanai Peshawar / Landikotal (Summer) Hangu Parachinar Miran Shah

Utman Khel , Tarkani, Salarzai Charmungs Mamunds , Safis , Utman Khels Afridis (8 sub sections) Mullaghoris Shilmanis Sinwaris Ali Khel Maulla Khel Mishti Sheikhan Turi Bangahs Para Chamkani Massozai Ali Sherzai Zai Musht Utmanzai Wazirs 1. Wali Khel 2. Momin Khel 3. Ibrahim Khel 4. Daurs (150,000)

1973

1951

1879

1973

1982

1910

- -

Shinwaris also in Afghnistan, Afridis dominant All non-Orakzais

- -

The Area and the People Geopolitical Significance of the Area, In the recent history, after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, unusual interest was attached to these areas which link Pakistan with the troubled land of Afghanistan. The international status of Durand Line had been called into question every now and then by successive Afghanistan Governments, demanding abolition of the Durand Line and return of Pushtun and Baloch areas annexed by the British in 19th century. Afghanistan looked at it as an act of “ unilaterally imposing boundary known as the Durand Line that defined the defacto limits of Afghan territory. Later these conquered areas were handed over to Pakistan when it was created in 1947”.

Although the Pushtunistan movement is all but dead, any irredentist, chauvinist Afghan government could resurrect it for no better reason than to meeting a domestic crisis. Even if remote, the possibility cannot be ruled out.

Durand Line while still internationally recognized and nationally defended had served as the Afghan mujahedeen main line of communication for the rapid transit of their arms and men during the war. Its status, in practical terms, still remains dubious. Afghans- motorized, on foot and astride their camels and pack ponies cross and re-cross it at will.

Afghanistan's Loya Jirga of 1949 declared the Durand Line invalid as they saw it as ex parte on their side (since British India ceased to exist in 1947 with the independence of Pakistan). This had no tangible effect as there has never been a move to enforce such a declaration due to long periods of constant wars with other


The Area and the People neighbors in the region. Most importantly, there was no time limit mentioned in the Durand Treaty. Additionally, world courts have universally upheld Uti Possidetis Juris i.e binding bilateral agreements with or between colonial powers are "passed down" to successor independent states, as with most of Africa. A unilateral declaration by one party has no effect; boundary changes must be made bilaterally. Thus, the Durand Line boundary remains in effect today as the international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is recognized as such by most nations. Despite pervasive internet rumors to the contrary, US Department of State and the British Foreign Commonwealth Office documents and spokespersons have confirmed that the Durand Line, like virtually all international boundaries, has no expiration date, nor is there any mention of such in any Durand Line documents. The 1921 treaty expiration refers only to the 1921 agreements. Because the Durand Line artificially divides the Pashtun people, it continues to be a source of tension between the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Frequent press statements from 2005 to 2007 by Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf calling for the building of a fence delineating the Afghanistan/Pakistan border have been met with resistance from numerous political parties within both countries. Leaders of Pashtuns on both sides of the border do not recognize the Durand Line. Durand Line while still internationally recognized and nationally defended had served as the Afghan mujahedeen main line of communication for the rapid transit of their arms and men during the war. Its status, in practical terms,

Chitrali Tribal Girl

Wazir Tribesman


Constitutional and Legal Aspects, On 14 August 1947, after a plebiscite, the Frontier Province became a part of Pakistan. In November of the same year ,this lead was followed by all the tribes upto Durand Line and the Chiefs of the states of Dir, Swat, Chitral and Amb signified their loyalty to Pakistan in an open Jirga . With coming into force Indian Independence Act 1947, the treaties and agreements made by British with the border tribes lapsed and Pakistan having succeeded British India was to negotiate fresh agreements with tribal inhabitants.

The newly born state of Pakistan already confronted with

host of problems decided to continue all the treaties, agreements and allowances and to abstain from interfering with the tribal traditional freedom. The basic understanding was that internally the area would remain autonomous and the government of Pakistan would look after the external security and help in development of the area. The aim being to gradually bring it up economically so that over a period it could play its due role in the mainstream of the nation.

The first constitution of Pakistan that came into force with

effect from 23 March 1956, though provided for a parliamentary from of government for the rest of Pakistan, did not bring any change in the political and administrative set up of the tribal areas.



Jazailchies in a hideout to ambush British patrol


Genesis of Tribal Administration, FATA was brain child of the British and was projected in the last two decades of the 19th Century under the forward policy which required establishment of a buffer zone to protect the settled areas of British N.W.F.P and Punjab from foreign aggression of the Czarist Russian. The change from ”Closed door” to forward policy” adopted in 1879 unleashed aggression against the hill-tribes and Afghanistan. It was meant to occupy strategic passes in this belt and areas beyond these with the ultimate aim of obtaining full control over the passes of Hindukush threatening the very survival and impendence of the hill-tribes.

This brought the first ever combination of all tribal

factions against the British. Their unexpected unity, stamina and endurance set the entire frontier ablaze. The enterprise in the face of the opposing elements was proving very costly. The cost of keeping a large army on the Hindu Kush continuously would have telling effects on both Indian and British economies.

The only alternative left to the imperial authorities was

to return to the forsaken system of administration. A system of gradual advance of political intrigue amongst tribes, of subsidies and small expedition. The policy of divide and rule went well for the administration of the newly acquired tribal areas. The negative characteristics of Pakhtoon culture were fully exploited for the achievement of ulterior motives. Jagirs, subsidies and honorific titles were bestowed upon one brother for exploitation against the other. The institution of Khan’s, Nawab, Arbab, Jagirdars, Durbaries and Kursi Nasheen were

Tribal Administration


Tribal Administration

60

created for bestowing upon all those who could satisfy the behest of aliens. Thus the almost classless Pakhtoon society was divided into “haves and have nots ” the common man became poor, inferior and relegated to sub-human status.

Lord Curzon’s major contribution towards the administration of the frontier was not only creation of NWFP in 1901, but he also divided it into settled districts and five tribal agencies including Malakand Agency, Khyber Agency, Kurram Agency, North Waziristan and South Waziristan Agencies. A political agent was appointed for each agency to separate its administration from that of the settled districts of the province. Curzon policy was to withdraw British troops from agencies and replace them with newly raised Militia and avoid interference in tribes. The Khyber Rifles, Kurram Militia, Samana Rifles, North and South Waziristan Militia were his creation. A Chief Commissioner was appointed for the tribal areas. He was the sole representative of the tribal people and an Agent to the Governor General. As such he had a direct contact with the tribes and local political officer. Political Agents were directly answerable to the Chief Commissioner and the militias were also placed under him. Later on, the Chief Commissioner post was converted into that of the Governor. Thus the Governor NWFP became the Agent to the Governor General, who in turn was responsible to the British Crown. He was given the authority

Chapter Two - FATA

Tribal Administration to deal with the different tribes in order to preserve peace and to prevent the tribesmen taking part in wars with the Afghan rulers. Protection of line of communication, forts and cantonments was secured through payment to the influential and granting service to Khassadars, Budragas, levis and scouts. Law and order was to be maintained through the institution of “Malik” system supplemented by FCR and Para-military forces. Incase of violations, collective fine and punishment were imposed under the concept of collective tribal and territorial responsibility. Grant of allowance, permits and Khassadars and their stoppages became the tools of the system of reward and punishment which is being practiced to date.

The entire political administrative apparatus was tailored for satiation of colonial objectives. It was not development oriented nor responsive to the need of common man. Since it was not possible nor desirable to merge these areas with settled districts hence normal and full administration and European laws were not extended to these areas which therefore retained a semblance of internal autonomy.

61 Chapter Two - FATA

Tribal Administration A local touch was given to the system by not interfering in personal and tribal feuds, affairs and “Riwaj ” unless these threatened peace or atrocities were committed against the state interest or crimes were committed on mettle road. Revenue and taxes were not levied and cross border trade, transit and movement not restricted . The age old Jirga system to settle dispute, redress grievance and award punishment was converted into Frontier Crime Regulations 1901 . However, unheard of powers and inhuman clauses were added to safeguard British interest and make the political agent the final and supreme authority. It is evident and an established fact that in the system of administration in tribal areas, the pivotal position of Political agents was coined to serve imperial designs and that it was primarily meant to maintain law and order. For the challenging and daunting service in these remote and hard areas, a special cadre of dedicated, devoted, motivated and adventurous corps of officer was created and granted special allowance and perks.

The political agents were sent to the area to act as an agent of the British Sarkar (as the name designates). Thus, the legacy we inherited from the political and other senior District Officials in British India, was often seen as distinct and superior class of civil servant, which according to its critics, “Was neither Indian, nor civil, nor service. After 1947 the Civil Service of Pakistan which replaced Indian Civil service, drew similar criticism”.


Tribal Administration Role and Reappraisal of Political Administration, Administratively FATA is divided into seven political Agencies: Bajaur, Khyber. Kurram, Orakzai, South and North Waziristan and five Frontier Regions: Peshawar FR, Kohat FR, Bannu FR, DI Khan FR and Tank FR. Each agency is administered by a political agent while each FR is administered by the Deputy Commissioner of the adjacent respective settled district. The political agent and deputy commissioner for purpose of administration were placed under the administrative control of commissioner of the adjacent division.

The agencies and FRs are further sub divided into the

administrated areas where the writ of the government is based on agreements with the tribes and inaccessible or closed areas where tribes administer themselves. The system of tribal administration inherited from the British is highly anomalous. In a parliamentary form of the government it is the Prime Minister and the cabinet that have the executive power to rule over the area . President has delegated his authority to Governor of the North West Frontier Province.

Quite Paradoxically, while the area falls under the

jurisdiction of Central Government, practically it is the Provincial Governor who administer these areas. But then Governor himself is powerless as all political agents of agencies are working directly under the administration of Chief Minister of NWFP.


Tribal Administration The Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), at Islamabad look after the administrative affairs and development activities in the area. However, it is no more than a forwarding agency. The Ministry of SAFRON is responsible to the Parliament but it has no role to play in policy formulation and its execution in the area.

The diarchic state of affairs at the center between

the President and Prime Minister and Ministry of SAFRON and Governor of NWFP violates some of basic principals of administration. The Ministry of SAFRON, representing Federal Government is responsible to Prime Minister but federal legislature stands divested of requisite effectiveness since no central or Provincial laws are applied to the area. It is the executive authority of the President and the Provincial Governor that rule supreme. Neither the Supreme Court nor the High Court exercises any jurisdiction in taking cognizance of any administrative wrong in the area.

A painful act of the history of tribal area is the

perpetuation of old colonial system of administration which served the alien rulers well but utterly f ailed to achieve the goals of free and independent people. Political Agent who is the chief executive in the agency is empowered with enormous administrative and financial powers. He plays multifaceted role, as an executive he ensures law and order in the area, collects revenues and taxes, plans and coordinates development activities besides performing the Judicial duties.


Tribal Administration The British were generally fair and just in dispensation of justice and reputation of British bureaucracy rested on its impeachable character. This character of bureaucracy remained intact in the early days after independence. Deterioration began in the absence of democratic institutions where no power or institution remained to check and consequently corruption and nepotism permeated at a fast pace.

To increase hold over the tribes a system based on “Zor and Zar” (Gun and Gold) has been evolved . It has been the avowed policy of the administration to protect and feed those who serve their cause, harassing and scourging those who do not. The permit and rahdaris system has transformed the tribal Psyche of independent and freedom loving people into a class of schemer engaged in perpetual struggle to gain momentary financial benefits from the political administration.

Camel Caravan in Tirah Valley


Frontier Crime Regulation Frontier Crimes Regulations, The Frontier Crimes Regulations, (FCR), promulgated in 1872 and revised in 1887 and 1901, introduced special procedures for trial of cases by excluding the technicalities of the ordinary law. The deviation from the normal legal procedure was justified by the colonial rulers mainly on the administrative grounds related to the maintenance of law and order and speedy settlement of disputes amongst the tribal people. The FCR being based on local tradition, elicits praise from its protagonist and is severely condemned by its antagonist as loathsome and repulsive. While Jirga was beyond doubt a traditional institution, the form it took under FCR was a far cry from its natural state. FCR enforced in NWFP, Balochistan, Parts of Punjab and FATA by the British has been abolished in areas other than FATA. The question is, after almost half a century of independence whether the results justify continued retention of these laws.

The FCR give excessively vast and arbitrary powers to

political agent and commissioner. Before creation of Pakistan, the British Government used to appoint experienced and selected officers in agencies who invoked provisions of the regulation sparingly and administered Justice in fair and equitable manner. Unfortunately, the prevailing state of affairs is completely reversed. The tribesmen have lost confidence in political officers and the administration. Rules are being applied arbitrarily and not observed in administering justice under the FCR. In- accordance with the rules, political agent has to refer


Frontier Crime Regulation


invariably every case to Jirga and considers objections, if any, of the parties to the nomination of members of Jirga. Political agent has to accept the decision or else refer the matter to a fresh Jirga if some-how he does not feel inclined to accept its findings and recommendations.

Contrary to the provisions of law, the political agent mostly decide the matters through executive orders without let or hindrance. Section 21,22,23,36,40 and 41 of FCR are often misused by keeping innocent people; the kith and kin of offenders in Jail for years to put pressure on the latter. The irony is that sometimes even the rival faction of the culprit are arrested and detained in jail for an indefinite period.

Thus the administration instead of inflicting any

punishment on the culprits reward them albeit indirectly. People are arrested and kept in confinement under sections 40 and 41 FCR for years on false and cooked up allegations fortified by perjured, falsified and sham statements of the accused. Political authorities often demand heavy security in the form of depositing cash amount or rifles from the accused when they do not intend to release them. Section 48 of FCR denies right of appeal to the aggrieved person against the order of political agent which tantamount to negations of human rights. The only remedy open to him is to approach the commissioner in review petition against the orders of the political agent.

The commissioner and political agent being jointly responsible for the political administration and maintenance of law and order, it is not difficult to imagine that 90% of the review petitions are rejected. Commissioner is the first and last judicial portal to which a tribesman can have access to seek justice through review petition. All doors beyond that are closed for the tribesmen.

Tribal elders and political leaders vehemently oppose FCR and suggest a remedy for replacement of the regulation by a better law and acceptable to the tribesmen. While Some other tribesmen do want improvement in their legal system but it should be within the framework of their present special status.

Frontier Crime Regulation



Adult Franchise, FATA had a restricted mode of franchise where absolute majority of population had no right to vote. Under the electoral system, only “Maliks” and Lungi” holders could vote for candidates of National Assembly as FATA had no provincial Assembly seats. Electoral Act 1974, though entitles every male and female to be registered in the list of voters but the Presidential order no 1/75 known as” Preparation of Electoral Rolls (FATA) order 1975” deprived the tribal's their right to franchise. According to this order only “Maliks” allowance holder or”Lungi” holders were registered as voters by the Political Agent.

According to Pakistan Election Commissioner Report

1993, the number of registered “Malik” were 33145 which constituted hardly one percent of the tribal population. The said Presidential order had therefore, deprived 99 percent population of their right of adult franchise. Over the years, political awareness against the restricted franchise had grown amongst the tribal people. During the past three decades the rapid socio-economic changes occurring in the tribal area have greatly accounted for the rising demand of adult franchise.

The oil boon in the Gulf states provided thousands of

uneducated and poor but hardworking tribal people an opportunity to enter in some business back home, educate their children and purchase land in settled areas. The rapid spread of education and exposure to modernization made

Political Aspects

Political Aspects


the younger generation more educated and less dependent on the system their forefathers had leaned on under no choice situation. They are now less supportive of the system designed in the 19th Century Curzon India. Major (Retd) Gulzar Wazir writes in “The News”, The absence of adult franchise in tribal areas in a way implies that a tribesman is either not considered worthy or capable enough to participate in the process of electing a government of consensus or since he is free, he does not need democracy Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Vote With the dissolution of Benazir Government on 5 November 1996 and the decision to hold fresh election on 3 February 97, there were wide spread demands for introduction of adult franchise in the tribal areas.

The President, conceding to the growing demand of FATA people, on 14 December 1996 decided to replace the restricted mode of elections which favoured a limited class of “Maliks” against the absolute majority of population. Over three million tribal won suffrage rights a historic event since independence in 1947. The President has issued Preparation of Electoral Roll (FATA) Order Amendment, clearing the way for adult franchise for the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Any one who becomes 21 years old or crosses that limit will now be eligible to use his vote in the February 3 general election. With the announcement of the government to introduce the right of adult franchise to the people of FATA, a long cherished desire has come true.

FATA : Precious and inflammable

Political Aspects


With the announcement of the government to introduce the right of adult franchise to the people of FATA, a long cherished desire has come true. It is felt that Presidential Ordinance will not be allowed to lapse like other ordinances as no future government will dare to advise the President to rescind his orders as it would attract public censure for pushing FATA back in pre-democracy era.

Political Parties, and politicians are an integral part of the modern democratic set up and play an important role in the life of nations. They not only educate and organize people, defend their rights and privileges but also fight back the negative tendencies and retrogressive forces. Article 25 of the Constitution allows politics and political parties and Article 19 freedom of speech, yet these basic rights are a taboos in tribal area. Except for the religious parties who use the umbrella of Islam to hold their meetings, others including tribesmen turned politician are barred from taking parts in politics or forming political parties since introduction of the 1935 Indian Act.

The various governments since partition have gone a step further in unjust implantation of the black laws to stifle and strangulate any voice for rights or equality and criticism of government policies or wrongs of political administration. The people of the tribal areas were therefore, deprived of even the basic democratic institutions without which it is not possible to ensure

Political Aspects


Political Institution and Tribal Representation, FATA was given representation in the erstwhile West Pakistan Assembly and during the One Unit days as provided for in 1956 and 1962 Constitutions respectively. Its provincial representation was however, abolished in 1973 Constitution and consequently FATA has no provincial assembly seats. Eight MNA for National Assembly i.e one from each agency and one for Dara Adam Khan and DI Khan elected on the basis of limited franchise were allowed in tribal areas.

These MNAs will now be elected on the basis of

adult franchise. The non-representation of tribal people in provincial Assembly, besides being anomalous, is yet another major issue of deprivation and therefore, the tribal areas are theoretically totally independent of the Provincial Assembly administrative link and contact with the provincial administrative. The eight FATA Senators, who represent tribal people in the Senate, are elected by the eight MNAs of FATA.

All MNAs vote for each senator from each agency. A

candidate is proposed by one MNA and seconded by another. He needs three more votes to show majority for the Senate seat. These members of the parliament participate in the process of legislation for the entire country but can not make law for their own area. The Senate and National Assembly seats are considered money making positions. It is an open secret that votes are bought

Political Aspects


and sold in every election in FATA. In recent years many drug barons wanted by Interpol in drug cases registered in different parts of the world were able to make their way to the National Assembly and Senate. They were also able to penetrate important political parties and influenced their policies. They are particularly effective in divided assemblies where their votes make all the difference in the making or unmaking of the government.


SOCIO - ECONOMIC PROFILE Social Economic Structure, A tribal society is considered to be classless and egalitarian society where all are equal. However, with the passage of time, distinct social groups with their inscriptive characteristics based on blood and family superiority have given birth to different societal class in the tribal society. The study and analysis of various groups and their behavior pattern will facilitate in understanding their attitude towards politics and administration.

The Affluent and Aristocrats, The class generally

include the traditional nobility, Nawabs and Maliks, big land holders and feudal lords. Ever-since the creation of Pakistan, they have been exploiting the facilities earmarked by the state for the uplift of this backward area. Members of this class constitute the largest beneficiaries of the facilities swarming around the elements to emerge as a distinct social class of the society. The some what in-different attitude demonstrated by the educational institutions and government services based on quota system earmarked for tribal areas. Their social status is dependent upon their wealth, manpower and influence in the corridors of power, The presence of their family members in the state bureaucracy is an additional factor in their power and social influence. They are status quo oriented and extremely allergic to outside political influences and the political forces from within as it is considered to be the direct threat to their traditional leadership.

SOCIO - ECONOMIC PROFILE


They are against adult franchise but with the emergence of drug barons in the area, they are not at home with the prevailing arrangement of political aspects.

The Predatory Elements, The elements of this class

unleash anarchy upon the society at large and make their livelihood by murder, plunder, abduction for ransom, car lifting and other civil curses. The lack of effective administration has encouraged a great deal of anti social class of the society. The some what in-different attitude demonstrated by the competent authorities over the years have made these elements powerful enough in creating a stir in the peaceful atmosphere of the society. They are staunch supporters of autonomous status of tribal areas and are status quo oriented.

The Educated and Intellectual Class, includes all

those who are not satisfied with the existing political and administrative system and are opposed to status quo but are not sure about an overall change in the existing set up of the tribal area. They are eager to support any positive change in the existing autocratic set up and want to have maximum share in administering their own affairs. The members of this social class include doctors, engineers, school, college and university teachers, professional and retired members of the civil and military bureaucracy etc. Their power lies in their political and social organisations. Sometimes they express themselves through inter and

The Masses, which comprise the biggest majority of tribal population has little to gain from the government and are afraid of the law and order authorities, specially the Frontier Crimes Regulations with no rescue whatsoever available to them to challenge the administrative abuses and secure justice. The tribal culture is devoid of political party system, supported by mass media of communication to furnish additional means to mobilize pressure upon the government. As a result the common man and his basic human rights have been neglected. The government on its sides shows little concern for the masses unless they raise their voices and agitate to create law and order situation. The people are left on their own and allowed to be governed by their family, class, tribe or their village organisation.

The Tribal Economy, Tribal had always remained

skeptical about developmental activities as an extension of government authority and curb on their independence though gradually through opening up of communication links and outside influence they have become more alive to accepting development intervention. They have desire to change their socio-economic condition without, of course, distorting the basic characteristics of the tribal society. Unfortunately the region lacks the basic infrastructure and security for industrialization. Whatever industrialization was carried out in the public sector so far has turned out to be sick industry due to poor management.





The four percent quota in federal services prescribed years ago is quite insufficient and cannot rid them of inherent joblessness. The meager quota is also denied to them and in a number of cases those belonging to settled areas who manage to produce domicile through bribe and influence get employment on the basis of tribal quota. Other economic fields besides government service, in which the tribesmen are engaged are trade and transportation.

The economic sphere and activities in which the

tribesmen are employed are thus very meager and insubstantial if compared with the opportunities available in the settled areas. Labour in Gulf countries is another source of livelihood. But few can afford the cost of travel. On the other hand the rate of population growth in the region is one of the fastest in Pakistan. Such a situation is bound to lead the region to mass unemployment and economic depression and stagnation. Unemployment in itself is the root of nearly all social evils. Workless tribesmen sometime engage themselves in robberies and theft in their own localities, the more enterprising turn towards settled areas for car lifting or kidnapping and the most ambitious may resort to drug trafficking .


SOCIO - ECONOMIC PROFILE FATA Development Authority (FDA), was established in 1970 under the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions to improve the economic conditions of the area but the funds allocated are mostly utilised for payment of monthly salaries of the establishment. In the financial year 1995-96 out of the total allocation of Rs. 90 million under the Development Head, Rs. 70 million were earmarked for salaries and other over-head expenses leaving only Rs. 20 million for investment related activity. FDA is an autonomous organisation set up under Federal Government and consequently there is absolutely no coordination in the developmental activities being undertake by the Governor NWFP and the FDA. Practically nothing has been done for the uplift of industry in FATA and the industries set up by FATA DC have since been privatized as these were either closed or incurring huge losses.

Agriculture, is the mainstay of income and livelihood

of the people. But this sector is facing enormous difficulties since the area is mostly rugged mountainous. With only 6.3 per cent area cultivated through employment of primitive agriculture techniques and lack of capital for investment, this sector has remained under utilized. Low level of mechanization and inadequate use of pesticides result in lower yields per acre and inaccessibility of tribal formers to modern agricultural technology is making this sphere unpopular and uneconomical.

SOCIO - ECONOMIC PROFILE Lack of Education Opportunities, the tribesmen face

acute problems of lack of education facilities which have exposed them to extreme hardships and intellectual backwardness unprecedented in any other part of Pakistan. The rate of literacy is very low, about nine percent for male and one percent for female. The people do not send their children particularly the girls to schools. Few schools are functioning and most parent send their children to adjoining districts of settled areas for education, 95 percent of the girls schools are not only non functional but are used as Hujras and guest houses by the “Maliks” with the connivance of the petty officials.

Communication, the development of road

communication in the tribal areas has received the highest allocation of funds. The area is generally well served with the roads. However, due to lack of adequate funds for maintenance and repairs, the road network is in a state of disrepairs. Lack of farm to market roads and poor state of repairs of arteries leading to Afghanistan are major impediment to trade and commerce.

Smuggling, the people of FATA have traditionally

been involved in trade with Pakistan as well as Afghanistan and beyond without any restriction on the movement of men and material. There used to be only one road linking Pakistan with Afghanistan via Torkham but now each of the six agencies which border on Afghanistan is linked with it through three or four shingle roads on which trucks, mini

School boy : Abdullah


buses and pick-ups operate frequently. Cross border trade is booming business and about 400 trucks reportedly cross border daily with smuggled goods. Important commercial markets in Khyber Agency are well known for important goods of all kind. The daily sale of these markers, which is the main source of income of tribes, cannot be estimated.

Topography and Boundaries, The country of the Afridis west and south of Peshawar lies between north latitude, 33° 32' and 34° 51' and between east longitude, 70° 37' and 77° 56'. It is contained in the fork formed by the Safed Koh (white mountain) range at Mithughar Peak in longitude 70° 37'. The north prong of this fork runs eastward for nearly 60 miles (100 km) and falls into the Peshawar valley around Jamrud and Khajuri areas, having thrown out the spurs that contain and divide the Bazaar, Khyber, and Shilman valleys and runs south, then east forming the water parting between Peshawar and Kohat valley and connecting the Kohat Pass with Adam Khel territory, which runs down through Khattak tribe country to the Indus River opposite Attock. Its boundaries are more precisely defined in succeeding paragraphs.

Northern and Western Boundaries, a line starting from the Mithughar peak of the Safed Koh, and running due east to the Laka Sar Peak (Tatara) of the Khyber following the crest of the main range, and passing through the following points, viz. Tabai Pass, Bazaar Pass and the village of Lalabeg, where the line crosses the Khyber. From Lakasar, the boundary follows the watershed between the Khyber and the valleys which drain into the Kabul River, running over the Sapuri Kandao the Mautanai Shahid and Badpukht Hills down to near Ghundai on the western frontier of the Peshawar district. From there the boundary with Afghan territory begins.

83

Khyber Agency - Topography

Chapter Three– Khyber Agency

From Shamshatu, the boundary again turns south and crosses the Khattak range over the Jalala Sur crosses the Musadara Valley at Takhtakai and then over the Hindki Sur peak and onward to the Kohat-Khushalgarh road close to Gumbat.

Southern and Western Boundaries, starting from the same point on the Mitughar, the southern and western boundary runs first due south, along the crest of the ridge bounding Tirah on the west via the Torghar Kharaghar, Kahughar peaks, to the Ublan Pass. At the latter point it turns eastward, and still skirting Tirah, follows the crest of the ridge separating Tirah and Waran from the Orakzai valley. Crossing the lower end of the Waran valley the boundary ascends to the Uchpal Pass, where it follows the ridge separating the two branches of the Bara up to the junction of the latter whence it runs via the Ranja Ghar to the Kohat Kotal, about 4 miles north of Kohat. Again turning eastward it follows the general line of the Kohat- Khushalgarh road to the above-mentioned point near Gumbat.

The territory of the Afridis thus consists of some 3,200 square miles (80 miles length and 40 miles breadth) of elevated hilly country, sloping eastward and drained by the Bara, Bazaar, and Dara and Khyber rivers into the Peshawar Valley. The valleys lying around the sources of both branches of the Bara River and the source of Khanki,

Khyber Agency - Topography flowing into the Kohat district, and the source of Kharmana, flowing into Kurum, are included in the general name of Tirah, a tract composing an area of from 800 to 1000 square miles, with an elevation of 5000 to 7000 feet above sea level. Tirah includes the Bara valley above Tora Waila, the south Bara valley above Hisar, the Khanki valley above Sadarai and the Kharmana valley above Khazina. It is the summer resort of the greater portion of both the Afridis and Orakzai and it contains the following well-known places:-

• Maidan and Rajgal at the head of the north branch of the Bara Valley

• The valleys of Mastura, Bezoti and Waran at the head of the south branch of the Bara

• The Kahu Dara and Minjan Dara at the head of the Khanki

• The Ganda, Lozaka, Landai, Ghundai and Thabidaras at the head of the Khurmana.

The banks of the streams are said to be honeycombed with cave dwellings. There are numerous stone towers, but no large or walled villages. The houses are three storied with a lapelled parapet. On the ground floor are cattle, on the top the dwelling place, and the center is barren. Rajgal is drained by a stream rising near the Mitu Pass, which receives water from tributaries in Rajgal. The length of the valley is 10 miles and the widest breadth of the open country is from 4 to 5 miles, the elevation at that point being probably over 5,000 feet.

This level area is cultivated, with the chief crops being wheat and barley. In the north of the valley stands the main northern and western mountains, falling to 9,000 at their eastern end. The above outlines the boundary between the Afridis and the Sangukhel and Mirjan Khel Shinwaris. On the south, Rajgal is separated from Maidan by a steep, rocky, but well-wooded spur, some 8,000 to 9,000 feet high, called Michni.

Rivers. Two rivers flow in the heart of Khyber Agency: one is Bara and the other is Chora. The river Kabul flows between the area of Shalmanis and Mullagoris and separates the Khyber Agency from Mohmand Agency.

Bara River. The united drainage of the Raj gal and

Maidan valleys becomes the Bara River in Dwa Toi in central Tirah. The Bara valley attains an elevation of 5,000 feet at Dwa Toi, which sinks to 2,000 feet at Khajorai. The Surghar range, the elevation of which is from 6,000 to 7,000 feet, separates the Bara from the Bazaar or Chora valley whilst the Torghar, an equally lofty range, separates it on the south from the Aka Khel and Orakzai country joined by the Khyber stream. The Bara River eventually falls into the Kabul opposite Nisatta, after passing within 2 miles of Peshawar.

84 Chapter Three– Khyber Agency

Khyber Agency - Topography

Chora River. The Chora River flows with an easterly and northeasterly course north of the Surghar range eventually debauching on the Peshawar plain and joining the Khyber stream south of Mathra Thana.

The Bazaar Valley, is scantily supplied with water except at Cheena, where there is said to be an abundance of water all the year round. The other Bazaar villages depend chiefly on rainwater caught in ponds and fallows.

Important Places. Bagh in Maidan, Haider Kandao in Bar Qamber Khel, Nahqi, Tarkhokats in Bar Qamber Khel, Tora Wela and Bokar in Zakhakhel, Spin Drang in Sipah, Garhi and Saukh in Kamarkhel, Mustak in Aka Khel, Ghaibi Nika and Lakar Baba in Sipah, Shinkamar in Ziauddin Zakhakhel, and Barki in Stori Khel. Malik Nader Khan Kalay, Tidy Bazar, Nai Abadi, Ghunday,

Godar Hajyano Kalay, Sakandar Khel, Shamsher Khel, Shah Kass and Sur Kamar, Lala Chena Sofed Sang, Lora Mela, Bakar abad, Shagi, Ali Masjid, Lala Kandao, Ayub Killi, Nadir Killi , Landikotal, Charbagh, Torkham and Shilman.

Important Peaks. The known mountains and peaks are Tsappar, Ali Tsappar, Lakasar, Naraighar, Takhtakai, Torghar, Ganjai Murgha, Rotaz, Luzaka, Sandapal, Soor Ghar and Malai Ghar. The peaks mentioned have heights ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet (1,800 to 3,000 m).

Map of Khyber, showing different habitats of clans


The Khyber Agency, forms part of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The Agency is bounded in the North by Afghanistan, in the South by Bagh Maidan Valley of Tirah, in the East by Peshawar District and in the West by Durand Line. The Durand line was drawn in 1892-93. It runs from Kabul River in the North and passing through Torkham, run further to the South. The name Khyber is generally applied to the whole Agency. There are three destine valleys, each having its own name. These are Khyber, Lowargai and Landikotal. The real Khyber may be divided into lower, central and upper Khyber; the lower Khyber is entered just after Jamrud and extends up to Shagai Fort. From Shagai onwards up to Zintara and passing Ali Masjid en-route is the central Khyber. The Upper Khyber extends from Zintara to Landikotal.

The climate of the Khyber is more or less, similar to that of the Peshawar, except Landikotal which is comparatively cooler because of its height i.e. 3,500 feet and absence of humidity. There is very little rainfall during the year.

The Khyber Agency has a total population of about 2,97,000 consisting mainly of the following sections of the Afridis; Kuki Khel, Sipah, Kamarai, Qamar Khel, Qamber Khel, Malik Din Khel, Zakha Khel, Aka Khel and Adam Khel. Shinwaris, Shilmanis and Mullagoris also form a part of this population.

The Agency

” Like all other Pathans, the Afridis are

recklessly brave. Yet rather easily

discouraged by failure. They are very proud

of their race and honour. If properly handled,

they show extra ordinary loyalty though they

are capable of betraying extreme

vindictiveness on account of even an

imaginary wrong. They are observant and

intelligent but very religious- minded and thus

can be easily worked up to fanaticism. In

short, they are good friends and bad

enemies. Their hospitality is well-known.

With all these characteristics they naturally

value their freedom the most and dislike any

outside interference.”


Khyber Pass, with many passes, the start and finish are ill-defined. Many definitions state that the Khyber Pass starts from near Jamrud, Pakistan (491 m - 1,611 ft), 15 km west of Peshawar and ends west of Torkham, Afghanistan, a winding road of 48 km. The summit is at Landi Kotal at 34°-05′-35″ N, 71°-8′-45″ E . The immediate terrain in the area of the Khyber Pass is mostly rugged, barren, and arid. The hills today are completely denuded due to the arid climate and deforestation.

The poet Hafeez Jalandhri says "neither the grass hither nor the flowers bloom. But even the skies bow down to kiss this highland plume." and James W. Spain observed, "history hangs heavy on the Khyber and has left its mark upon its somber stone. Ground into dust of the Pass is Persian gold, Greek iron, Tartar leather, Moghul gems, and Afghan silver and British steel. All have watered it with their blood." Interspersed among these dry and parched hills are narrow and shallow ravine and valleys inhabited by the local population, some living there from time immemorial and most subject to seasonal migrations to the more temperate plains in the unforgiving winter. These valleys are irrigated by scant, intermittent rains and snowfall, and cultivated for food and fodder.

Historical Places


Historical Places The following renowned races and dynasties have passed through the routes of Khyber Pass:-

• Aryans 1600 B.C

• Sakas 900 B.C

• Iranian Emperors 550 B.C – 431 B.C

• Greek Rulers 327 B.C – 305 B.C

• Mauriya Dynasty 323 B.C – 190 B.C

• Greek Rulers of Bakhtar 85 A.D – 97 B.C

• Sakas (Irani) 97 A.D – 5 A.D

• Parthians 7 A.D – 75 A.D

• Kushans 60 A.D – 225 A.D

• Sasanida (Iranis) 230 A.D – 265 A.D

• Kedara Dynasty 365 A.D – 465 A.D

• White Huns 568 A.D – 644 A.D

• Sasanis (Irani) 568 A.D – 644 A.D

• Afghan Rulers 650 A.D – 870 A.D

• Hindu Shahi Rulers 870 A.D – 1020 A.D

• Ghaznavid Rulers 960 A.D – 1150 A.D

• Ghori Dynasty 1181 A.D – 1206 A.D

• Khawarazm Shah Saljuqi 1240 A.D – 1220 A.D

• Changez 1220 A.D – 1369 A.D

• Tamerlane 1380 A.D – 1501 A.D.

• Moghal Dynasty 1526 A.D – 1739 A.D.

• Afghan Dynasty 1739 A.D – 1747 A.D.

• Durrani Dynasty 1747 A.D – 1818 A.D.

• Sikh Rule 1825 A.D – 1840 A.D.

• Durrani (Mohammadzai) 1826 A.D – 1846 A.D.

• British Rule 1846 A.D – 1947 A.D.

• Pakistan 1947 A.D – Onwards


Jamrud Fort is at the entrance to the Khyber Pass and about 9 miles from Peshawar lies the fort of Jamrud, like a battle ship anchored in the rugged surrounding. It was built by the Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa. He occupied Peshawar in 1833 and reached Jamrud in 1836. He stayed there for about a year and was never left at peace by the Afridi tribesmen. The General, however, was making plans for invading Afghanistan through the Khyber Pass. In April 1837, the Sikh garrison at Jamrud was attacked by Afghans who were supported by the local tribesmen. A Mullagori Killed the Sikh General in the western gate of the fort. The height of Jamrud is about 1540 feet.

Shagai Fort was built in 1928-29 by the Indian Artillery's "Sappers and Miners". It is situated about 8 miles from Jamrud and commands the approaches from Tirah. The fort can accommodate a battalion group. It is now electrified and has a swimming pool and squash court. The road upto Shagai was built by Colonel Macheson who later was murdered by a Pathan. Its height is about 3000 feet.

Ali Masjid is about two miles from Shagai one reaches the Ali Masjid Gorge. Juts short of the Gorge is a little white mosque on the right of the road, which is famous. The Gorge which can now take two way motor transport traffic, was said to be so narrow that two laden camels hardly cross each other. Immediately on the other side of the Gorge is the Ali Masjid post, which commands the view over its entire length. Between Shagai and Ali Masjid and on the left of the road is an enclosed British Cemetery. It reminds of the Second Afghan War and the famous battle of Ali Masjid, fought in 1878.

Historical Places


Aerial View of Ali Masjid Fort, Where famous Battle of Ali Masjid took place in 1878


Historical Places Buddhist Sphola Stupas, is built on a rock which is about 50 feet higher than the Khyber Road. The rock is 3,350 feet above sea level. The stupa is in ruins these days but the base and about one third portion is intact. According to some records, the stupa remained undamaged till 1926 and had a height of 40 feet. In Khyber Pass this is the only prominent Buddhist monument. The other sites are Kafirkot ruins near Landi Khana and Ali Masjid. It is said that the British excavated many statues of Buddha from Ali Masjid site during the Second Afghan War of 1878-80. The site remains unexcavated till today which has a wealth of antiquities. In 1916, some more valuable statues were discovered near Khyber Burj.

Landikotal at the crest of the Pass and about 30

miles from Peshawar lies the Camp and the fort of Landikotal. Its height is about 3500 feet. The camp is surrounded by a number of villages. It has a Caravan Sarai which is famous from trade and commercial point of view. The Sarai was a halting place for the Caravans of the olden days.

Charbagh is about 4 miles and towards South West

of Landikotal lies the famous fort of Charbagh, built in 1926-27. Charbagh was derived from Four Gardens located en-route to Charbagh Fort from Landikotal. It is famous for its Chinar trees and water springs.

Buddhist Sphola Stupas

Charbagh Fort


Historical Places Michni is about 3 kilometers northwest of Landikotal near Pak-Afghan border. In early 19th century, Michni post was established by British troops to dominate the route coming from Afghanistan to Indian subcontinent. In present scenario this post has become a landmark for visitors and due to visit of hundreds of famous world dignitaries and heads of states including Lady Diana, it has become the part of history on account of Khyber Rifles. The present look of Michni has been designed by Colonel Qaiser Alam, Commandant Khyber Rifles and constructed under the supervision of Major Ayaz Khan during 2006.

Michni Check Post - 2008


Historical Places Prison of Amir Timor, history has amply highlighted the fact that the mountainous belt of the North West Frontier Province offered special attraction to the conquerors mainly for the reason of the existence of Passes through which the conquering armies from the west could reach the rich plains of Hindustan. One such unique and historical monument is the Prison of Amir Timor in the Khyber Pass.

Amir Timor was one of the greatest conquerors of Central

Asia. He invaded India in 1398 AD through the Khyber Pass. As usual, he met a tough resistance, which he overcame at a later stage. He constructed a prison on a steep cliff in the middle of the mountains the access to which is even difficult today. Escape of the prisoner or attacking the prison for release of the prisoners was rather a difficult proposition and any such attempt would have failed to materialize.

The building is irregular triangle, the narrowest side is

inclined towards the post via a broken wall. The enclosure has a square tunnel to the left, sliding towards the entry point. The tunnel can be reached through a small door. It is said that the condemned prisoners used to be thrown into a well at the end of the tunnel after being pushed from the top on a slide. The triangular enclosure is surrounded by a wall about 15 feet high. The whole building has been constructed with stones and lime. The ridge on which the prison has been constructed is surrounded by a deep and dry nullah.

Prison of Amir Timor, Torkham Pakistan


Historical Places Torkham is derived from pushto words Tor means Black and Kham means Turning, it is 5 miles west of Landikotal lies the post of Torkham, which is the Pak/Afghan border. It has a custom office where foreign traveler's visa and passports are checked and passed. It has a rest house where travelers can rest. It is a famous place which attracts travelers/tourists mostly foreigners.

Shilman is combination of two words, Shil means 20 and

man means maund. The term was derived during British occupation in Khyber and surroundings. During early days, British government used to pay 20 maund of wheat to tribal elders as amenity, which became the label in the surrounding areas and named as Shilman. The people of the area are known as Shilmanies. People of the area are poor and dependant upon daily wages tor ferry across and vehicular based transit or smuggling to Afghanistan.

Tirah is 34 kilometer west of Landikotal. A fertile Tirah

Valley, the original home of all the Afridi tribes. Cut off from the rest of the civilized world by any road, railway or air link and without any vestige of modern civilization, it is a sort of no man's land ruled (or misruled) by the indigenous people themselves under the ageless law called Pakhtoonwali (the Pakhtoon code of conduct), effected by it or a Jirga system, involving the tribal elders as the judges as well as executioners of their rulings. This vast and at places extensively cultivated area, bounded by pockets of alpine forests, utterly lacks any internal communication system either. Mostly this area is used for smuggling of contraband items to Afghanistan.

Torkham Pak – Afghan Border


Historical Places Khyber Railways, all the historic passes in the North-West of Pakistan, the Khyber Pass is the best known. It lies on the most direct trade route between Pakistan and Central Asia via Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Yet the Khyber Pass was the last to be traversed by a railway. Two roads and an aerial ropeway preceded the inflexible iron road, and in the light of subsequent events, it is surprising that a railway ever was constructed through the Khyber. Completed in 1926, the single broad-gauge track with its reversing stations was twice as costly to build as the magnificent railway construction of 1895 through the Bolan Pass. The Khyber Railway cost Rs. 7,08,000 a mile to build and the density of the train service has never exceeded two trains a week.

The Khyber Railway was the last of great railway

constructions undertaken in the Frontier during the British Raj. Essentially a strategic railway, the Khyber was designed for the movement of troops and supplies in time of emergencies.

Later, it became the most celebrated train journey from

Peshawar to Landikotal as Khyber Stream Safari with the cost of $ 6 million. This is one of the most historical and interesting journeys in the world today. As the decorated train coaches are pulled and pushed by two 1920s model old vintage oil fired steam engines to climb 1200 meters through 34 tunnels and 92 bridges.

One of the historical stop is the Khyber Rifles’ Mess, where

visitors enjoy the gallantry Picture Gallery, Heritage Museum and remarkable Village Mathra.


Historical Places Khyber Rifles’ Fort was constructed in 1889 at Landikotal as their camp. Initially, five officers quarters of one room each had been constructed and made available to the Political Officer and the officers of Khyber Rifles. There was also a mess room in same block. The machine gun tower to the south of the camp was also constructed to defend the road from Landi Khana to the Lowargai plateau. A well was also dug in the camp, just thirty yards to the south of the officers quarters. The development of the camp continued till its recognition as a military garrison and maintained by the successors till now.

Khyber Officers’ Mess, the prestige and honour of the past

of legendry British heritage is being maintained by Khyber Rifles and preserved in historical Khyber Officers’ Mess. It has the Heritage Museum, Village Mathra and Visitors’ Picture Gallery to amuse the visitors.

Khyber Rifles’ has the honour to receive famous world

leaders and dignitaries , few of them were Queen Elizabeth, John.F.Kennedy , Jimmy Carter, George Bush, Yasir Arafat, Shah Iran, Shah Hussain and Princes Lady Diana.

Arrested Tree, an example of British obedience is preserved

in Khyber Officers’ Mess. The tree is famous since 1923, when British Officer was drunk and he saw this tree moving here and there, so he ordered that tree not move and stand still. On the disobedience, the officer got flared up and ordered Mess Havildar to arrest the tree. Since then the Arrested Tree became the hallmark of Khyber Officers’ Mess.

Khyber Rifles’ Fort

Arrested Tree


Different Views of Khyber Officers Mess - 2008


Ariel view of Balahisar Fort – Headquarters Frontier Corps NWFP, Peshawar

102 Chapter Four – Frontier Corps NWFP

Evolution of Frontier Corps. The Trans – Indus area which lies between two great natural barriers, the Koh-e-Sufaid (extension of Hindukush Range) and River Indus has always been of special interest to the rulers in Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent. This area was therefore trespassed by the invading armies, especially from the North. The British came in direct contact with the people of tribal areas in 1849 after annexing the Sikh Empire of Punjab. Russians then also started annexing Central Asian region and reached the doorsteps of Afghanistan. In order to stop Russian expansion, the British started sending expeditions in the Tribal Areas. After its domination, they evolved a unique system of governance in the area. They divided the Tribal area into various agencies and raised political police force; initially levies but later a potent force i.e the Khyber Jazailchies in 1878 and Turi Militia in 1892. The aim of raising this force was:-

• To have maximum loyal tribes and use them against dissident and disloyal tribes.

• To save the British Army from maintenance of law and order in the tribal belt, yet have a cheaper and effective mean to overcome and settle the local disputes.

Historical Perspective of Frontier Corps • The employment of the force was conceived on the basis of tribes to look after strong forts, posts and piquet and more importantly domination of the area through regular “Gashts” i.e. patrolling.

• To evolve a new political system of administration which was to operate through ‘Jirga’ i.e. the assembly of elders, and settle the issues in conformity with local customs and traditions called “Rawaj” , the Pathan Social Code. Army was only to be used if the writ of British Government was challenged.

• Carry out surveillance of the border with

Afghanistan that is the Pak-Afghan border . In order to co-ordinate the activities of these units, the

Frontier Corps Headquarters was created in 1907 under an Inspector General. With the passage of time, Frontier Corps, commonly known as Scouts or Militia became a legendary force which today has a rich and fascinating history spanning over 120 years. This force is composed of Pakhtun tribes, therefore, has the colour of the area, people with their customs and traditions.


Defining the Force Militia, word has been derived from Latin word miles, which means a soldier. Whereas Militia means a force comprising soldiers. The difference between Military Force and Militia is a body of drilled soldiers and the body of soldiers is raised out of local population or tribes. In early occupation by British empire into the subcontinent, Captain CM Dallas raised Turi Militia (now known as Kurram Militia) in 1892 at Kurram Valley . Subsequently, many other militias were raised in different areas, where local tribes were enrolled as soldiers. Some of the famous Militia are:-

● Turi Militia (1892), now Kurram Militia ● North Waziristan Militia (1890), now Tochi Scouts ● South Waziristan Constabulary, now South Waziristan Scouts (1922) ● Mohmand Militia (1917) ● Chaghai Militia (1948) ● Zhob Militia

Scouts, is derived from a Latin word auscultare which means listening. It is a body of troops sent forward to bring information or watch the enemy activities. Whenever a body of is sent out of, it is taken to be scouting and the individuals are called scouts. On the North West Frontier of India, the British manifold problems (including ignorance of terrain, language, customs and habits of hostile tribal) the Indian and British units could not be used in isolation. The scouts were therefore used in front and flanks for gathering information and protection of troops. Later on, the role of scouts was therefore changed to picqueting and guarding of routes.


Defining the Force Composition of Militia was also changed by enlisting people from other areas where these units were located. As such the world militia lost its significance and the units came to be named as scouts. The famous scouts raised in NWFP are :-

● Chitral Scouts – earlier Chitral State Scouts (1903)

● Kiohistan Scouts.

● Dir Scouts

● Bajaur Scouts (1st April 1961)

● 1st Mahsud Scouts (1965), now Mahsud Scouts

● 2nd Mahsud Scouts (1965),now Mohmand Rifles

● Tochi Scouts

● South Waziristan Scouts

Rifles, the Army there were two type of infantries, one was called Regiment, which used to have slightly heavier equipment and the other is known as Rifles. The Rifles had relatively lighter equipment and rapidly move particularly in difficult hilly terrain. When new Scouts units were raised and officers in authority were from Rifles’ unit, they named their outfit as Rifles.


Defining the Force

Khassadar Force

Quami Badraga

Frontier Constabulary, is a sort of police force and officered by police officers. It is employed in areas bordering tribal agencies and settled areas known as PATA (Provisionally Administrated Tribal Areas or Frontier Region). Previously this used to be known as Border Militia and is even now some times called as Militia. In England the militia was a sort of national guard in early twentieth century. In the united states, a general levy of territorial force having troops of the second line is including in Militia.

Levies and Khassadars, are a sort of local police at the disposal of political agents in various tribal agencies. Each agency has a Khassadar Force raised from various sub-section of the tribe in the agency on quota system who are responsible for maintenance of law and order in respective areas backed by and responsibility shared by the whole tribe. They carry their own weapons but are paid by the Political Authorities. As regards Levies, we come across the names of Zhob Levy Corps (1889). Malakand Levies, Dir Levies, Swat Levies, Bhittani Levies, Gilgit Levies, Chagai Levy Corps (1896)and Mekran Levy Corps. Most of the Scouts units of Frontier Corps Balochistan were raised from these levies.

Badraga, is a Pushto word which means an escort. It signifies and escort nominated by the tribe / sub-tribe through whose areas a person or goods are escorted. Badragas is force of the nominated persons by tribal elders for escort duties in agencies. They work on “Nikat” system, which means the employment to be hereditary. The responsibility for the safety of which lies and guaranteed by the whole tribe. Government officials are authorized a certain number of paid Badragas in agencies who travel with the official as escort.


The Frontier Corps and the Rifles .

To maintain law and order in the Khyber Pass, to keep the pass open for traffic and escort caravans, and to prevent the tribesmen from raiding into the settled districts, the Political Agent Khyber needed an armed and disciplined force composed wholly or partly of the local tribesmen. Thus were raised irregular forces in the shape of militias and scouts collectively known as the Frontier Corps. The main idea behind the establishment of the Frontier Corps was:-

• To buy the loyalty of the tribesmen and to use their weapons against disloyal tribesmen.

• To save the army from maintaining law and order in tribal areas and have a cheaper and effective force organized from amongst the tribesmen.

• Garrisoning forts, posts and pickets and patrolling the roads to ensure their safety.

The duties assigned to the Frontier Corps during the peacetime were to conduct brampta, i.e. to recover property or proclaimed offenders from tribal areas, to carry out gashts in friendly or hostile areas to assert the writ of the government, and to help the administration in maintaining law and order in tribal areas. During war time, they were to protect and if necessary clear the lines of communication. The list of their duties is further extended nowadays and they actually assist the regular army in several aspects both during war and peace. Of all these irregular forces, the Khyber Rifles known initially as the Jazailchies attained legendary fame and prominence.


The Organization

Frontier Corps NWFP - 2008 HQ Frontier Corps was shifted to Balahisar in 1948. This majestic Fort has a very old hist. It has been the royal residence of King Taimur Shah Durrani. It was named as Balahisar by him and Samir Garh by Sikhs. The present shape of the Fort was given by British in the year 1900. Prior to 1974, the area of responsibility of Frontier Corps extended from Gilgit in the North to Mekran Coast in the South. In 1974, FC Balochistan was raised and some of the units were placed under them. A year later, Gilgit and Karakoram Scouts were converted into Northern Light Infantry under Force Command Northern Areas. Frontier Corps possesses the potent force of 60,000 combatants. Beside command and staff tentacles , the force is composed of 4 Sector Headquarters, 14 Corps of 58 Rifle Wings (equivalent to an Infantry Battalion), 16 Field / Medium Artillery Batteries, 2 Armour Squadrons, 1 Independent Armour Car Squadron and 2 Special Operation Group Companies. During 2006 – 07, Headquarters Frontier Corps decided to raise 4 Sector Headquarters for decentralization of command.


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Sector Headquarters

• Sector Headquarters North, was initially raised

at Chakdara, District Dir I in July 2007. It is comprising of Chitral, Dir districts and Bajaur Agency with Chitral Scouts, Dir Scouts and Bajaur Scouts.

• Sector Headquarters Centre, was raised in August 2007 at Warsak to look after Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram agencies with Mohamand Rifles, Swat Scouts, Khyber Rifles, Mehsud Scouts, Thal Scouts and Kurram Militia on its inventory.

• Sector Headquarters South, was also raised in July 2008, at Manzai and it is responsible for South Waziristan Agency. It has two units i.e South Waziristan Scouts and newly raised Khushal Khan Scouts.

• Sector Headquarters South West, was raised in

December 2007 at Bannu. It is responsible for North Waziristan Agency with Shawal Rifles, Tochi Scouts and newly raised Orakzai Scouts.

Chapter Four – Frontier Corps NWFP

Frontier Corps’ Units

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Frontier Corps is comprising of 14 x Fighting Units known as Corps, operating under newly raised Sector Headquarters. Each Sector Headquarter is headed by a Brigadier. The Corps is commanded by a Colonel designated as Commandant and comprising of 4 – 6 wings as per operational requirements and area of responsibility. Each wing is equivalent to Infantry Battalion of Pakistan Army and comprises of 700 – 900 armed personnel.

• Khyber Rifles, originally named as Khyber Jazailchies

was raised in 1878, during 2nd Afghan War by Captain Gaisford as a semi irregular force. At the time of independence, it was two wings Corps, which now consists of five wings. It has its Headquarters in Landikotal and area of responsibility includes Tehsil Landikotal and Jamrud of Khyber Agency.

• Kurram Militia, was raised on 18 October 1892 by Captain CM Dallas as Turi Militia. It was commanded by British officers till March 1950. It is a 5 wings unit with its Headquarter at Parachinar and is deployed in Kurram Agency.

• Tochi Scouts, originally known as the North Waziristan Militia was raised in June 1900 by Captain A.Ferguson Davie. The Corps was reorganized in April 1922 and given present name of Tochi Scouts. Its Headquarters is at Miranshah and it consists of

five wings. The unit is responsible for North Waziristan Agency.

• South Waziristan Scouts, was raised in 1900 at

Tank as South Waziristan Militia. Its Headquarters moved to Wana in 1901. In December 1921 it was reorganized as South Waziristan Scouts by Major Russel. Presently it consists of five wings and is responsible for South Waziristan Agency.

• Chitral Scouts, was raised in July 1903 and named as “Chitral State Scouts”. Captain Hide Grady was appointed as the first Commandant of the Corps. In 1942 the Corps was re-designated as Chitral Scouts and came under control of Frontier Corps. It now consists of six wings. Its area of responsibility is Chitral District. One of its wings is deployed in Piun Sector (FCNA), part of 323 Brigade since Aug 1991.

• Mahsud Scouts, was raised on 9 August 1937 at Razmak and named 5th Road Construction Battalion. In 1938, the process of raising was completed and the unit was re-named as Mahsud Scouts. It has three wings, deployed in Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency.


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• Thall Scouts, a wing of Tochi Scouts was moved to Thall Cantonment in March 1948, after withdrawal of regular troops. In 1949, Thall Scouts was raised as one wing Corps, which now consists of three wings. It is deployed in Kurram and North Waziristan agencies.

• Bajaur Scouts, was raised on 1st April 1961 with its Corps Headquarters at Munda. Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Karim, FF was the first Commandant of Bajaur Scouts. Headquarters Bajaur Scouts was shifted to Khar in December 1962. Presently it is a three wings Corps. The unit is deployed in Bajaur Agency.

• Dir Scouts, was raised in 1970 at Chakdara as 1 x Rifle Wing Corps. In 1978 another wing was raised. At present it consists of two wings with its Corps Headquarters at Timergarha. The unit is responsible for District Dir.

• Shawal Rifles, was raised on 7 September 1973 by Major Akbar at Landikotal and was moved to Razmak later on. Presently it consists of two wings and is responsible of

Shawal and Dosali area in North Waziristan Agency.

• Mohmand Rifles, was raised by Lt Col Yar Gul (Baloch Regt) on 23 November 1973 at Yousaf Khel as one wing Corps. It is a four wings Corps with its Headquarters at Ghallanai. Is responsible for Mohmand Agency.

• Swat Scouts, was raised in April 1995.

Now it is four wings Corps with its Headquarters at Warsak. It is a reserve force at the disposal of Inspector General Frontier Corps.

• Orakzai Scouts, was raised in October 2007 as 2 Rifles Wing Corps with its with Headquarters at Mirali.

• Khushal Khan Scouts, was raised in November 2007 at Jandola as 2 Rifle Wings, Corps with its Headquarters at Jandola. The unit is responsible for South Waziristan Agency


Frontier Corps’ Units

The Khyber Rifles is one of the oldest historic units of Militia of Frontier Corps NWFP. Khyber Rifles originally known as Khyber Jazailchies, were raised in Nov 1878 by Captain Gais Ford. It was a sort of semi Khassadars Force carrying their own life (Jazail). This force was to prevent the tribes molesting the line of control of the Second Afghan War expeditionary force (1878). Captain Gais Ford commanded Khyber Rifles up to 1881 when he handed over command to Sardar Muhammad Aslam Khan (First Muslim Commandant).

Sardar Muhammad Aslam Khan, who later became Lieutenant Colonel Nawab Sir Mohammad Aslam Khan, commanded the Corps from 1881 to 1897. He has seen the longest period of command i.e 16 years. Upto 1887 the Khyber Jazailchies served only in Khyber Agency. In the year they were re-designated as the Khyber Rifles and their role changed from serving within the Khyber Agency to serving anywhere required, this change in the conditions of their service enabled the personnel of the Khyber Rifles to distinguish themselves in various expeditions and operations in which the troops took part.

The Headquarters of the Khyber Rifles was at Landikotal and their prime role was to guard the Khyber Pass. The three main garrisons of the regiment were Landikotal at the western end of the Pass, Fort Maude to the east and Ali Masjid in the centre.

The badge of the Corps comprised two crossed Afghan daggers with the words KHYBER RIFLES above and below. While the Indian Army as a whole was noted for its colorful and elaborate dress uniforms prior to 1914, the various units of the Frontier Corps wore only plain khaki drill uniforms and turbans.

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Khyber Rifles

Chapter Five – Khyber Rifles

Khyber Rifles

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The Regiment saw active service in the Black Mountain (Hazara) expeditions of 1888 and 1891, during a period when the Khyber Pass itself remained peaceful. In August 1897 however the Khyber Afridi tribes rose and the three forts garrisoned by the Khyber Rifles fell, the survivors falling back to Jamrud. It took four months and forty-four thousand troops for the British to retake the Khyber Pass. The Khyber Rifles were reconstituted and resumed their garrisons at Landikotal, Fort Maude and Ali Masjid. During the Third Afghan Was (1919) the loyalty of the Khyber Rifles was put under heavy strain and there a number of desertions. The Regiment was therefore disbanded as unreliable. In the troublesome period of World War II, the British Government appreciating the fighting qualities of the Frontier tribes, realized that they could not achieve their aims without the support of important tribes whose recruitment has been stopped in 1921 due to their hostile actions. As a consequence, in addition to some other tribal battalions, the first Afridi Battalion was raised in 1942. This Battalion, served in Iraq, Iran and Syria upto 1946. In appreciation for the helpful response in successfully raising the first Afridi Battalion and gallant actions of the Battalion during the War, it was decided to re-raise the Khyber Rifles. It was reconstituted from Afridi veterans of World War II in 1946 with its headquarters at Landikotal. The commander of the reborn regiment was himself an Afridi – Sharif Khan.

Chapter Five– Khyber Rifles

117 Chapter Five – Khyber Rifles

Troops assembly against local tribes at Khyber Rifles’ Fort - 1897

The Origin of Khyber Rifles

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The Origin of the Khyber Rifles, the Legendary Khyber Rifles, the Guardians of the Khyber Pass, were first raised in February 1881 to maintain law and order in the Khyber Pass, to keep the Pass open for traffic and escort caravans, and to prevent the tribesmen from raiding into the settled districts. When the British created the Khyber Agency, the Political Agent Khyber needed and armed and disciplined force composed wholly or partly of the local tribesmen. Thus were raised irregular forces in the shape of militias and scouts collectively known as the Frontier Corps. Of all these irregular forces, the Khyber Rifles, known initially as the Jazailchies attained legendary fame and prominence.

The British Advent in the Khyber, British first came into contact with the Khyber Pass tribes during the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42). The British forces forced their way through the Pass to enter Afghanistan during the war but later on, when Peshawar became a British possession in 1849 as a part of the annexed Sikh State of Lahore, the northwestern boundary of the new province was drawn along the foothills, as far as the line where the uncertain Sikhs had claimed conquest and revenue, and no further. The last Sikh outpost was at Jamrud at the mouth of the Khyber Pass and the same became the British boundary. No attempt was then made by the British to advance into the highlands or even to secure the main passage through the mountains, the Khyber Pass.

During the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1978-79), the British formally came into possession of the Khyber Pass when after the death of Amir Sher Ali Shan, his son Yaqub Khan succeeded him to the throne and he signed a treaty with the British at Gandamak

on May 26, 1879, by the terms of which he ceded the districts of Pishin and during Sibi, on which Quetta depended for its supplies, and Kurram to the British. He also accepted the British control of the Khyber Pass and placed his country’s foreign relations under British control in return for a promise of protection and agreed to receive a permanent British mission at Kabul.

The British had occupied the Khyber pass but to maintain it and keep it open was more difficult occupying it. In spite of the large garrison at Landikotal and the abundance of pickets and sentries, nothing was safe from the depredation of the Shinwaris, Shilmanis and Zakha Khel thieves. Nearly every night, some tent was entered and property carried off. The Government of the Punjab was desperately seeking some sort of agreement with the tribes in the Khyber Pass by which peace could be assured throughout the Khyber from one end to the other.

Finally in February 1881, an agreement was made with the Khyber Pass tribes by which the independence of the Afridis was recognized under British suzerainty and the tribesmen under took the Khyber Pass open and to abstain from outrages in the British territory in return for an annual subsidy of Rs 85,860.

The Treaty of 1881, At the conclusion of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, relations with the tribes around the Khyber Pass were completely regularized on February 17, 1881 as exclusive guardians of the Pass. In the Treaty of Gandamak with Afghanistan in 1879, it was stipulated that the British government should retain for itself the control of the Khyber and Michni Passes and of all political relations with the resident tribesmen,

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Origin of Khyber Rifles



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namely the Khyber Afridis and the Lowargai Shinwaris. Although the treaty itself became null and void after the murder of the British resident Sir Louis Cavagnari at Kabul, its provisions with respect to the Khyber Pass were mainly adhered to in subsequent arrangements and agreements made with the Amir Abdur Rahman and whole of Pass from Jamrud to Dakka was placed under the control of the Punjab government.

The Afghan Government had previously granted allowance to the Afridis and Shinwaris in return for the Pass being kept open for trade but these allowance were not paid regularly and often suspended entirely for years at a time and the Pass had become virtually closed to commercial traffic except on payment of prohibition dues. When the control of the Pass was transferred to the British, arrangements were immediately made to place relations between the tribesman and the British Government on a more satisfactory basis.

In the autumn of 1880, a conference was held at Peshawar

attended by the representatives of all the Khyber Pass tribes and the British authorities. As a result of the deliberations in the conference, finally a treaty was singed in 1881 between the representative Jirga of Afridis and Shinwaris and Sir Richard Udney, Commissioner of Peshawar. The treaty contained 17 articles, related to the tribal responsibility regarding traffic in the Khyber Pass and guarantees for the independence of the tribes. Under the provisions of the treaty, the Afridis undertook to make themselves responsible for the safety and security of the Khyber Pass from Jamrud to Landikotal, while the Ali Sher Khel clan of the


Shinwaris accepted responsibility for the portion of the Pass from Landikotal to Lala Beg, the area under the effective control. The tribesmen were not only guaranteed their independence but were also granted an annual subsidy.

The Afridis were to receive an allowance of Rs. 87,540 (different than given from another source above) and the Shinwaris were granted Rs 9,670. Apart from this, an irregular force consisting of the local tribesmen was also established known as the Jazailchies. An amount of Rs 87,392 was to be spent on the maintenance and salaries of the Jazailchies, later organized as the famous and legendary Khyber Rifles. The formal agreement between the British and Khyber Pass tribes was concluded on February 17, 1881. The signatories on the tribal side were the Zakha Khel, Malik Din Khel, Qambar Khel, Kamarai Khel, Sipah, and Kuki Khel Arfidis, as well as the Ali Sher Khel clan of the Shinwaris of Landikotal. Colonel Hastings was appointed as the first Political Officer who was entrusted with the supervision of the execution of the arrangements in the treaty. After Hastings, the difficult task was assigned to Colonel Sir Robert Warburton to whom goes the credit of successfully carrying out the measures initiated by his predecessor with the help of his wild and untamed Afridi and Shinwari agents. The Khyber Pass become a comparatively safe thoroughfare and the primitive Jazailchies were developed into a much more organized force of Khyber Rifles. Initially, the Jazailchies numbers only 400 their main duty was to escort caravans through the Khyber Pass twice a week. They were paid by the government but their appointment and dismissal lay with the chiefs of the clans concerned.

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British Officers at Charbagh, Khyber Pass - 1901

122 Chapter Five– Khyber Rifles

Construction of Landi Kotal Serai, Uptill 1889, the British had no proper construction at Landi Kotal to be used as their camp. It was in 1889 that the construction work on the Landikotal Serai was completed. Along with the serai, five officers quarters consisting each of one room and bathroom was also constructed and made available to the Political Officer and the officers of Khyber Rifles. There was also a mess room in same block. The machine gun tower to the south of the serai were also constructed to defend the road from Landi Khana to the Lowargai plateau. A well was also dug in the serai, just thirty yards to the south of the officers quarters.

The British Relation with the Khyber Pass Tribes, The British tried to deal amicably with the tribes in and around the Khyber Pass and the tribes also responded positively to a great extent, many Afridis took services in British Indian Army and helped them in crushing several anti British uprisings. In the beginning, British dealing with the Afridis and other tribes in the Khyber Pass were maintained through influential men of the Peshawar border called the Arbabs. The intermediaries, however, proved unreliable being prone to intrigues against the British.

To enhance their own importance, they often fomented unrest among the Afridis and prevented friendly relations between the tribes and the British Indian Government. Therefore, some capable British officers in the Khyber like Major Robert Warburton were not satisfied with the working of the British system of administration based on dealing through intermediaries. Warburton was convinced that the majority of the wars and fights between the British Indian Government and the

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Gaining Foothold


Gaining Foothold

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tribesmen on the frontier were due entirely to the machinations of the Arbabs and other employed as middlemen in dealing with the tribesmen.

The system of dealing with the tribes through middlemen persisted for a long time and produced totally unsatisfactory results. The system was inherited from the Sikh rulers of the Punjab and was essentially the result of British ignorance of Pashto language. The role of the middlemen, however, was reduced in the last fifty years of the British rule as the language barrier was removed and many of the British administrators in the Frontier had learnt Pushto language and attained extremely high linguistic standards, making direct relations with the tribes possible.

The improvement was the result of Lord Curzon’s idea of

having a separate North West Frontier Province, detached from the Punjab administration. The creation of new province created a sort of intimacy between the British officers stationed there and the local Pukhtoons, which greatly facilitated the British officers to remove the language barrier. Thus the role of the middleman was eradicated.

The British, unlike the numerous other invaders of the Sub-

Continent, meant business. They were not easily thwarted by adversities. They realized that the Khyber Pass and the territories around it were not to be presented to them on a silver platter. They tried several policies to bring the frontier under their effective control. The two variants of British policy in the tribal belt were the Masterly Inactivity Policy or the Closed Border Policy and the

Forward Policy, of which the latter was more aggressive. British policy on the North West Frontier passed through different stages. For over a quarter of a century, after the annexation of the Punjab, the Punjab government followed what came to be known as the ‘Close Border Policy’. The main idea behind this policy was to guard the border (with the tribal belt) closely with a view to keeping tribal raids and consequent reprisals by way of military expeditions to the minimum.

Non-aggression on tribal territory and non interference in

tribal affairs were the declared objects of this policy. for defensive purposes, a military force called the Punjab Frontier Force was raised under the supreme control of the Government of the Punjab, which in 1886 was amalgamated with the regular army. The existing forts were repaired and new ones were built along the administrative boundary and were connected with each other by a military road.

At the same time, various conciliatory measures were

adopted. Agreements were made with the tribes, obliging them to maintain peaceful and friendly relations with the British Indian government in return for subsidies and allowances. The tribesmen were allowed to enter into the British territory and to trade freely but British officers were instructed not to cross into the tribal territory. However, the tribesmen frequently violated these agreements and the British had to stop their allowances, impose fines and blockades on them, and when all these proved unavailing, they also had to send expeditions into tribal territory. Between 1949 and 1899, the Punjab government undertook as many as 62 minor and major expeditions into the tribal territories.

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The Close Border Policy , finally had to be abandoned in favor of what came to be known as the ‘Forward Policy’. The change was directly linked to the Great Game in Central Asia. The Russian expansion in Central Asia and its advance towards the borders of Afghanistan had alarmed the British. The defense of India had to be organized accordingly and this could be achieved by the occupation of the scientific frontier based on the Kabul-Ghazni-Kandahar line. For this it was necessary to control the passes in the north-western hills, to improve communications both in tribal and British territories and to set up advanced military posts in the tribal region with a view to facilitate the occupation of the strategic line. The implementation of this new policy involved the establishment of workable relationship with the Amir of Afghanistan and control over the Frontier tribes.

The Forward Policy, was introduced for the tribal territory

under Lord Lansdowne (1888-94) and Lord Elgin (1894-99). The government had already acquired control of the Khyber Pass during the Second Anglo Afghan War. The Khyber Agency was created in 1878 and the British Political Agent conducted relations with the tribes. Till the creation of NWFP in 1901, the Political Agent Khyber was designated as Political Officer and enjoyed an exceptional position and responsibility, more crucial than the role of Political Agents in other agencies. He could correspond directly with the Government of India in matters related to the state of affairs in Kabul. In fact, it was a part of his duties to send regular reports about the activities of the Afghan official and the important events taking place in Afghanistan that could have a bearing on the tribal territory under British control. But in routine matters, he was to communicate with the Government of India through the Commissioner Peshawar.

The active forward moves of the British Empire into the tribal belt alarmed the tribesmen who feared, most of all, that the British were out to destroy their cherished independence. Their reaction often took the shape of armed uprisings during which a series of sporadic battles were fought throughout the tribal belt, including the Khyber Pass, between the tribesmen and the British Indian Army. But despite of the colossal British Imperial might and its myth of invincibility, they failed to subjugate the primitive tribal people with all their ‘carrot and stick’ approach. They remained at loggerheads with the tenacious tribesmen for quite a long time and led several expeditions against them.

Tribes in the middle section of the frontier with Afghanistan,

living between the Kabul and Gomal rivers, were comparatively harder to control on account of their intensely democratic organization. It is in this area that about two thirds of the British Indian Army was stationed in Cantonments near the tribal areas for what was termed as ‘border police work’ to prevent the tribal raids in the British administered settled districts. The tribal raids were motivated partly by economic reasons and partly because of the fanatical intolerance of the tribes to even the slightest control from an alien ‘kafir’ (infidel) government. In order to control the tribesmen, the British felt compelled to grant them a measure of self-rule.

Whereas in the cities, towns and adjoining countryside the

British writ prevailed, the tribal areas continued to be governed by the ancient customs and laws of the Pukhtoons. The British also tried to keep them in good humor by granting them subsidies and stipends but even then they proved to be a source of

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continuous trouble for the British administrators. The British had become so frightened and suspicious of these Pukhtoon tribes that they used to say that it you find yourself in a hut with a snake and a Pathan, kill the Pathan first.

Mechanisms of Administration in the Khyber, The Khyber had always been a trouble spot for the British Government. It could be pacified only by a large show of arms and once the invading forces were withdrawn, it always reverted to its usual anarchic state under the Afridis and Shinwari Pukhtoons. The tribal snipers would gang up in the Khyber hill once in a while and come right down to attack Peshawar. Before the establishment of the Khyber Agency and the appointment of the Political Agent, the dealings with the Khyber tribes were conducted by the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar. The British also felt the need of raising a force to protect the settled districts against the fully armed trans-border tribes who were the most notorious raiders and plunderers in history.

The task was assigned to the Border Police and the Frontier Force – better known under a later and more honored name of Frontier Constabulary. In case of serious trouble, it could always get support from the regular army. Defense of the border was not always passive and sometimes counter raiding in the shape of military expeditions was necessary and therefore, military expeditions into the tribal territory were frequent and they were an effective answer to tribal misbehavior.


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They were undertaken in response to tribal invasions and inroads, carrying off of peaceful persons and holding them to ransom, murder of frontier officers, outrages on women, and the failure of the tribal elders to ‘come and reason’ with the authorities and accept the British terms, usually a fine in money or arms for surrender. In return, the tribesmen would be offered education facilities, medical assistance, work in road making, and subsidies and allowances.

But the use of force by the army or civil authority was not the

only way to tackle the troublemakers. The British administrators were not devoid of positive ideas, the most obvious of these positive ideas were written agreements and grant of allowances. In the first twenty years, agreements were concluded with almost every tribe, securing what the British government needed to secure.

A typical agreement would contain a number of clauses; one

general clause declaring friendship and goodwill, followed by the details of service required by the tribes such as the security of the border, control of raiders, protection of communications, denying sanctuary to outlaws, and the last clause would be about the grant of annual allowances contingent on good behavior. These agreements were always concluded in open Jirga and the Maliks and other elders of the tribes would affix their seals to often enough their thumb impressions to it.


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British Administrative Structure in Khyber, To keep the tribes under control, the allowances, known as Muwajjib were an important element in the British tribal administration in the early days. In the later days, their importance faded away and people preferred greater economic benefits like service in the Army and civil irregular corps or tribal Police. Some people have raised objections to the payment of these allowances and have termed it a “ Black Mail” but they were actually paid to the tribes to behave properly in the absence of any legal code enforce in their territories and in some cases as compensation for their losses.

The best example of its compensative nature was in the

case of Khyber Pass Afridies whose original allowances were granted in lieu of the tolls, which tribes itself formerly levied by force on all traffic through the pass. Moreover, it could not be turned as a Black Mail as the payment were conditional on good A part from the stoppage of allowances, there was blockade-exerting economic pressure by excluding a tribe from markets, land or grazing in the neighboring district. This method was quite effective but slow and hard to enforce as the administrative border between the settled and Ghair Illaqa (independent tribal territory) was often artificial in the sense that it mean little to people on either side of the line.

Yet another method to force the tribes in to good behavior

was the bramta or bareampta, a word of Central Asian Turki origin meaning the seizure of persons, animals or property belonging to a tribe to exert pressure for restitution. This method was applied under the principle of the collective responsibility for any offence or to which offenders actually belonged.



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A part from the stoppage of allowances, there was blockade-exerting economic pressure by excluding a tribe from markets, land or grazing in the neighboring district. This method was quite effective but slow and hard to enforce as the administrative border between the settled and Ghair Illaqa (independent tribal territory) was often artificial in the sense that it mean little to people on either side of the line.

Yet another method to force the tribes in to good behavior

was the bramta or bareampta, a word of Central Asian Turki origin meaning the seizure of persons, animals or property belonging to a tribe to exert pressure for restitution. This method was applied under the principle of the collective responsibility for any offence or to which offenders actually belonged. The smaller the tribe group or section was on which pressure was put, the more effective proved in yielding results. In the Khyber Pass area, a local levy, the Khassadar force was established for the purpose of policing the area. Only the Khassadars and not the army or militia could directly deal with the tribes and go to the villages for summons etc. At the same time for the purpose of dealing with the local tribes, a representative class called Maliks were also created.

The village elders were also recognized as intermediaries

between the government and their villages and clans. Recruitment in the multiple forces the roads and railways contracts and construction works offered tremendous employment opportunities to the poor local tribal. The Maliks and other elders of the tribes were given handsome allowances and subsides. The land requisitioned for roads and railways and



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other government concern were taken against cash annual payments. In this way, the British brought about a socio-economic transformation of the local tribes.

Settled and subjugated to some extent, they were not sense of internal independence and their centuries old traditional tribal code, Pukhtoonwali or Riwaj remained immune to undue interference. No attempts was made to replace the local customary laws by the introduction of English or Roman law, as was done all over the rest of the Indian Sub-Continent. They were spread the agonies of litigation, trials, conviction, imprisonment and even executions. Their own Jirga system was considered a better dispensation.

Although the land along the Khyber Pass was a land of

vendettas and a foe would never lose an opportunity to shoot at his foe as and when they had an encounter but the British authorities had declared the road through the Khyber Pass out of bounds for blood feuds. This rule was generally observed by the Khyber Pass tribes due to the fear of heavy penalty for its violation. Thus the road through the pass was free from any acts of tribal reprisals. A British writer ‘Gordon Sinclair during his visit to the Khyber Pass in pre-partition period was told by a local tribesmen.

“No Sahib; no man is ever shot on the road. It is free

ground. We give our words of honor. If Pathan shoot Pathan here in his own land, that is our business and we do what we will about it. But if a man is shot on the road, that brings in the army.


The road is a British road, Sahib and if a man is killed on the road than the family of the man who killed him are fined and there is much trouble”.

The average fine, according to Gordon Sinclair, was

equivalent to 80 dollars and seizure of a rifle.

The Khyber Rifles, When the British extended their jurisdiction to the tribal areas into the Khyber Pass, they felt the need for raising a force for the protection of the pass and to keep it open for traffic. In this way, a local levy called Jazailchies, named after the local made gun Jazail, numbering about 400 men was raised in November 1878 with the initial purpose of escorting the caravans through the Khyber Pass. In the beginning its strength was one officer, four hundred infantry and forty eight mounted infantry.

Till 1890, they were equipped with their own Jazail for

which they were paid by Government. In 1890, they were issued the service patron rifles, the Sniders, in recognition of their services outside the Khyber Agency. The duties assigned to the Khyber Rifles included the protection of the traffic moving through the Khyber Pass, picketing the hills on either side of the pass, and escorting the camel caravans between the Afghanistan Frontier and Fort Jamrud at the eastern and of the pass. This irregular force was extremely irregular in the true sense, unshaven, unkempt with no uniform but a red tag sewn on the back of their Pagri (turban) to distinguish them from the rest of the Afridis tribesmen dressed exactly alike.

The commandant of the Khyber Jazailchies, Major (later

colonel) Muhammad Aslam Khan, was a man of great character and ability. He was an Afghan of the Sadozai section claim to the throne, of the Royal Durrani tribe and as the Afridis had been supporting the Sadozai claim to the throne his prestige was enormous among the tribesmen. He did a lot to train and discipline the Jazailchies, armed them with Snider rifles, replacing

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Reflections


Jazail

Reflections

136

their Jazail and renamed them as the Khyber Rifles. They were provided with practical, loose-fitting khaki uniform and a mounted infantry troop was also added to the original infantry companies. Both Major Muhammad Aslam, commandant of the Khyber Rifles, and the Major Robert Warburton, the Political Agent of Khyber Agency, had great trust in the Khyber Rifles.

The Khyber Rifles, in their early history, perfectly justified Muhammad Aslam’s and Warburton’s pride in them, except for a single event in 1882 when for purely administrative reasons it was decided by British authorities that the fort at Ali Masjid, garrisoned by a company of the Malik Din Khel Afridis, should be abandoned and the company should be moved to Jamrud. On that occasion, the Khyber Rifles men disobeyed the orders because a Subedar and Jamadar, two officer of the Rifles, deducted the opinion that the government was on the run and went around, Quran in hand, urging their men to desert with rifles rather than obey the order. However, a loyal Havildar defied the two superior officers and managed to get the company back to Jamrud.

A part from this single instant of disobedience and defiance, they did extremely well. They made Khyber far safer than the environs of Peshawar. When on one occasion, the then Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Forces, Lord Roberts and his Quarter Master General, rode with the Political Agent Khyber from one end of the Khyber Pass to the other, reputedly the most dangerous Pass in Asia at that time, escorted only by two troopers of the Khyber Rifles, the Quarter Master General was amazed to see this and remarked: “If this were to be told in England, or to any officer of the old Punjab School, they would never believe it”.


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Reflections The Khyber Rifles not only guarded the Khyber Pass but they also rendered valuable services to the British in places outside the Khyber. When in 1888, the British Indian Government was conducting a punitive expedition against the tribes of the Black Mountains, Major Aslam Khan and other native officers of the Khyber Rifles offered their services to voluntarily take part in the expedition. This clearly indicated two things about the Khyber Rifles; the confidence that Major Aslam Khan had in his men and the loyalty of the Khyber Rifles towards the British Indian Government.

Colonel Warburton recommended to utilize the service of these men and their experience ‘as mountaineers’. “Their agility and bravery is not equaled by the men of that border (Black Mountains) and it would be a sight for the tribes to see that Afridis of the Khyber Pass are willing to stand up shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers of our regular army against a common foe”, he wrote to the Commissioner Peshawar Division.

The Government of India, on the recommendation of the Political Agent Khyber Agency and the Commissioner Peshawar Division sanctioned the employment of 350 men of the Khyber Rifles under Major Aslam Khan in the Hazara expedition. This was the first time that the Khyber Rifles were over deputed to serve outside the Khyber Agency and they did so well that at the end of the expedition, they were allowed to retain the Sniders (rifles) issued to them during the expedition as a token of their services during the expedition. On their death or leaving the levy, the arms, however, were to be retained by the Corps (The Khyber Rifles).

General Lockhart


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The reward was well deserved because the terms of their service did not require them to serve outside the Khyber but they volunteered for the Black Mountain Expedition. During the expedition, they took a prominent part in all the major actions and won half-a-dozen gallantry medals. On their return, the Peshawar Municipality gave them a civic reception and dinner.

The Pathan officers of the Khyber Corps were notable warriors and many had won medals in wars from China to Egypt. One Subedar Mursil bore on his body the scars of thirty wounds. He was awarded the Indian Order of Merit for his bravery and services. When in 1897, the British has to conduct an undignified and hasty withdrawal, the new Commandant Captain Barton was ordered to forsake his men at Landikotal and seek safety in Jamrud. He reluctantly obeyed the orders. While most of the Khyber Rifles posts were overrun and burnt, the garrison at Landikotal under Subedar Mursil , who has one son with him and two with the enemy, put up an epic defense, killing 118 of their kith and kin. Mursil Khan died a hero’s in the fight.

The Khyber Rifles were deployed in numerous small

blockhouses from which they could watch and protect caravan traffic through the Pass. In one of these blockhouses, the entire garrison perished on one freezing night when they were asphyxiated by the fumes of their charcoal store. in another incidence, when one of these blockhouses at Michini Kandao was attached by the horde of Afghans in 1908, the garrison inside was besieged and the Afghans used gunpowder against them. The Khyber Rifles men in the blockhouse could not see them in the darkness of the night and, therefore, they were unable to aim at

Wheeled machine guns, 1879


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Reflections them and shoot at them. They found a very interesting way out of this situation. They took off their shirts, soaked them in oil, lit them and threw at the enemy under the walls. In the flare, they shot down twenty Afghans.

Another event that took place in 1908 is yet another example of the bravery and loyalty of the Khyber Rifles. Just before the Bazaar Valley expedition against the Zakakha Khel Afridis, all the Zakha Khels in the Khyber Rifles were parade by the Political Agent and they were they were told that they would not fight against their own people. They were offered six months leave and when they would come back, no questions, would be asked. None of them, however, took advantage of this generous offer and preferred to fight in the line of their duty. In the political report of the Bazaar Valley Expedition sent by the Political Agent Khyber, Roos Keppel, to the Chief Commissioner NWFP, he praised the bravery and conduct of the Khyber Rifles during the expedition. The Corps which was mainly composed of Afrdis, including the Zakha khels, had to take part in an expedition against a people to whom they were bound and not only by race and religion but by the closets ties of blood.

In many cases, however, they greatly disappointed the

British as most of them deserted. But some of them fought with great velour and bravely. One of them, Mir Dast Afridi, received the Victoria Cross, the highest British medal for bravely, in France.

British troops in southeast, Thal Fort, 1919


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140

During the third Anglo-Afghan War, the main Afghan attack was directed through the Khyber Pass. During this war, the role of the Khyber Rifles was rather disappointing. Their loyalty had been shaken by the calls of the Mullahs for a Holy War against the British, the revolutionary propaganda from India, and also by the rumor that the Government intended to destroy the flower of the Afridi nation by putting the Khyber Rifles into the forefront of the battle and decimating them with artillery.

When a number of desertions were reported, the regular army

took over all the Khyber Pass and the Khyber Rifles were offered the choice of discharge or serving on. Those who opted for discharge numbered 1,180. The British favored the discharge than their desertion with rifles. Of those who opted to stay on, 146 were transferred to a Military Police Battalion and 200 were formed into the Khyber Levy Corps, un-uniformed and armed with their own rifles.

For a quarter of a century thereafter, there was no Khyber

Rifles. The Corps was disarmed and disbanded because the men in the Khyber Rifles were considered unreliable and even covertly hostile. Some of the Khyber Rifles men had actually fired on the British forces during the battle for Bagh and Dakka. The disbanding of the Khyber Rifles caused the system of local militia policing in the Khyber Pass to collapse and the area was soon swarming with aggressive groups of anti-British armed tribesmen.

The oldest of all the irregular Frontier Corps, the Khyber Rifles

was revived and reformed in 1944 – 45. It was mostly manned by the volunteers of the Afridi Battalion that had been raised for overseas

Landikotal, 1954


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Reflections service in 1942 during the Second World War. The newly revived Khyber Rifles was put under the command of Mohammad Sharif Khan. This time, it was more active and mobile and less Qillaband (garrisoned in forts) than the old Khyber Rifles.

The ups and downs in the history of the Khyber Rifles, however, cannot eclipse the bravery of the men associated with this Corps. As stated earlier, one Subedar Mursil Khan was awarded the Indian Order of Merit in 1897 for his extra ordinary bravery. In 1902, Havildar Tor Khan of Khyber Rifles was awarded Third Class Order of the Merit in Recognition of his conspicuous gallantry in Kurram on September 1, 1897 when he, with a body of 18 men, successfully defended a British outpost against a body of tribesmen estimated at about 800 men. In 1909, another Third Class Order of Merit and a sanad to that effect was conferred upon Havildar Yar Beg Zakha Khel of the Khyber Rifles probably for some act of bravery during the Bazar Valley Campaign of 1908.

In August 1947, upon partition, the Khyber Rifles and

the other Frontier Corps regiments were transferred to Pakistan. In the post independence era, the Khyber Rifles lived up to its reputation and showed its worth in all the three major Indo-Pak wars. In 1948, four Platoons were sent to Kashmir, Similarly, four companies of the Khyber Rifles participated in the 1965 War in which Subedar Yaqub earned Sitara-i-Jurrat and troops were awarded two Imtiazi Sanads (distinction certificates).


Reflections

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In the 1971 War, Khyber Rifles fought on both the eastern and western fronts. The following awards were decorated to the force:-

Sitara-i-Jurrat - 1

Indian Order of Merit - 6

Imtiazi Sanads - 2

Mentioned in Dispatches' - 2

Gallantry Certificates - 2

Mujahid-i-Haidri - 1

Certificates of Bravery - 1

The present strength of the Khyber Rifles is 3,883 with Officers, including one Colonel rank officer, five Lieutenant Colonels, nine Major, and two Captains. In addition to its traditional policing duties in the tribal areas of the Khyber region, the Khyber Rifles is currently involved in tracking sown Afghan fugitives and terrorists. It is one of the most prestigious of all the fourteen units of the Frontier Corps and its role in the maintenance of law and order in the tribal areas and the defense of the Pakistani borders is more dominant than all the other constituent units of the Corps.

Indian Order of Merit


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Due to its legendary hallmark of history , the Khyber Rifles achieved international fame and recognition. A British writer Talbot Mundy wrote a novel by the title King of the Khyber Rifles: A Romance of Adventure in 1916, which

later on was made into a Hollywood Movie under the same title in 1953


Warden of Khyber

COLONEL SIR ROBERT WARBURTON (1842-1899), Anglo-Indian soldier and administrator,

was the son of an artillery officer who had been taken prisoner at Kabul in 1842, and

escaped through the good offices of an Afghan princess. He married this lady, and she

transmitted to their son that power of exercising influence over the tribes of the North

West Frontier which stood him in good stead during his long service in India.

Warburton entered the Royal Artillery in 1861, took part in the Abyssinian War of 1867-

68, and then joined the Bengal Staff Corps. He served with distinction in the expedition

against the Utman Khel in 1878 and in the Afghan War of 1878-80. Very soon after the

British government had made permanent arrangements for keeping open the Khyber Pass, Warburton was appointed

to take charge of it as Political Officer. This post he held, discharging its duties with conspicuous ability, between 1879

and 1882 with intervals of other duty, and continuously from 1882 until 1890. He turned the rude levies which formed

the Khyber Rifles into a fine corps, ready to serve the Indian government wherever they might be required. He made

the road safe, kept the Afridis friendly, and won the thanks of the Punjab government, expressed in a special order upon

his retirement, for his good work. When the Afridis began to cause anxiety in 1897, Colonel Warburton was asked by

the government of India if he would assist in quieting the excitement amongst them. He declared himself ready to do

so, but in the meantime the trouble had come to a head. Colonel Warburton took part in the campaign which followed;

at its close his active career ended. He occupied his leisure in retirement by writing his memoirs, Eighteen Years in the

Khyber (1900). He died at Kensington on the 22nd April 1899.


Left side page to be kept blank (for printer’s advice)

Colonel Sir Sardar Muhammad Aslam – 1881 - 1897

First Muslim Commandant 147 Chapter Five– Khyber Rifles

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Commandants

A.D.C to King Emperor Edward VH and King Emperor George V; another of Nizam-ud-Daula Usman Khan’s distinguished sons, was born in Kabul in 1838. He was selected by Edwardes in 1857 for a Risaldarship in the 5th Benqal Cavalry: and distinguished himself for his dash and bravery. He was engaged in a number of frontier expeditions, including the Second Afghan Was in 1879, There he was detailed as an Assistant to the Political Officer at Jalalabad, and remained in the Khyber in this capacity after the British army had evacuated the country. When the Khyber Rifles Corps (then Khyber Jazailchies) was raised for the protection of the pass , Aslam Khan was appointed its Commandant, and played a key role in transforming it into a first rate fighting force. The Khyber Rifles under Aslam Khan, also behaved splendidly in the Black Mountain expeditions of 1888 and 1891. In 1884, he accompanied Sir West Ridgeway to the Russo-Afghan border. On his return he resumed his command in the Khyber. For his participation in the second Afghan war awarded the order of Merit and title of Sardar Bahadur. In connection his labours on the Boundary Commission he was given the Companionship in the order of Indian Empire.

Colonel Nawab Sardar Sir Muhammad Aslam Khan

In 1885, he became an Honorary Major. According to Massey, “ he used to wear on his breast seven military medals and orders, bearing witness to a life spent, but in rough service cheerfully rendered”. In January 1890, he was presented with black Mountain Expedition (1888) Medal, by Prince Albert Victor of Wales, during his visit to Jamrud.

Aslam Khan live a full life and saw more than his share

of action. According to, “ Every reader of Frontier history of the period 1860 – 1901 must notice how few names stand out from the page. In Afghanistan the formidable Amir Abdurrahman Grim and sardonic. Among Pathans, the Akhund perhaps, and Aslam Khan Aslam Khan…. No others”.

Aslam Khan was a guest at the 1903 and 1911

Coronation Darbars and was appointed A.D.C to the King, in the 1911 Darbar. Aslam Khan died in 1914. He had four sons; Akram Khan, Azam Khan, Jalal-ud-Din and Hissam-ud-Din. Later his four generations served in Khyber Rifles. The fifth generation, Captain (Now Lieutenant Colonel) Taimur Khan, Artillery has served as Adjutant Khyber Rifles during 1990 – 1992. Presently Lieutenant Colonel Taimur Khan is serving at School of Artillery, Pakistan.


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Captain Barton 1897

Lt Col Sir George Roos Keppel - 1900

Commandants

Lt Col M. Sharif Khan MBE, Apr 1947 – Apr 1948

Lt Col J.R.Booth D.S.O. Mar 1946 - Apr 1947

Lt Col M. Zarif Khan

Lt Col S. Iftikhar Ud Din Jun 1949 – Dec 1951

Lt Col M. Sherin Khan Apr 1956 – Oct 1958

Lt Col M. Abbas Khan Durrani, AC


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Commandants

Lt Col Muhammad Ibrahim May 1961 – Dec 1965

Lt Col Nisar Khattak, Nov 1958 – May 1961

Lt Col Ali Gohar Jul 1973 – Dec 1975

Lt Col Ghulam Dastagir Dec 1965 – Nov 1966

Lt Col Rashid Ahmed, SJ Jul 1971 – Dec 1972

Gaideen Khan Abdullai Dec 1966 – Jul 1971

Lt Col Mosam Khan Wazir, S.Bt Apr 1978 – Sep 1979

Lt Col Dilawar Pervez Gilani Dec 1975 – Apr 1978


8151

Lt Col Sher Ur Rehman SJ Nov 1981 – Aug 1983

Lt Col M. Asaf, Sep 1979 – Aug 1981

Commandants

Lt Col Mehboob Ali Shah T.bt, Apr 1985 – Oct 1987

Lt Col Azmat Riaz Aug 1983 – Apr 1985

Lt Col Syed Khizar Hayat Oct 1988 – Jun 1992

Lt Col Muhammad Iqbal Oct 1987 – Oct 1988

Col Muhammad Siddiq Jun 1994 - 1996

Col Hassan Shah Jun 1992 – Jun 1994


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Commandants

Col Muhammad Farid Ullah 1999 - 2001

Col Malik Naeemullah Khan 1996 - 1999

Col Muhammad Riaz Shahid 2003 - 2005

Col Taqdees Ahmed Lodhi, 2001 - 2003


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Colonel Qaiser Alam Jul 2005 – Aug 2008

Commandants


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Commandants

Colonel Qaiser Alam got commission in Pakistan

Army in 1983. He joined 11 Baloch Regiment in Bagh, Azad Kashmir as Lieutenant. After completing basic and mid career military course, he was posted in Pakistan Military Academy as Platoon Commander in 1991. In 1992, he was detailed as instructor in School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta. Thereon, Colonel Qaiser (then Major) was given Officiating Command of 11 Baloch Regiment in East Slovenia in 1995.

During 1996 – 97, he was appointed as Combat Support Company Commander of United Nations’ Mission at East Slovenia. He also served as General Staff Officer – I at Directorate General of Inter Services Intelligence and Joint Director, Anti Narcotics Force.

Colonel Qaiser Alam commanded 11 Baloch Regiment at Chhor and Sialkot. Presently he is commanding Khyber Rifles.

As a Basketball player, he has represented in National Basketball Team at Syria and United States of America.

Colonel Qaiser Alam, Baloch

Being Commandant Khyber Rifles, he has the honour to represent Frontier Corps and Armed Forces to various Heads of the State , World leaders and foreign dignitaries.

His contribution for the uplift of Khyber Rifles to modern armed force and had been acknowledged by all tiers of command and staff at Frontier Corps and 11 Corps Headquarters level as well as on national and international level.

During his tenure the Khyber Rifles prospered with maximum momentum. He has made maximum possible efforts to make Jazailchies, professionally and morally a modern combat outfit of Frontier Corps.

He is known as the real commander, who always led all the operations , whether it was critical situations of Operation Almizan at North Waziristan Agency, Operation Mountain Viper, Operation Rah-e-Haq at Swat and Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem at Bara. The troops showed wonders during operations to keep the flag of Khyber Rifles high in all turmoil, due to Colonel Qaiser Alam’s self examples during operations.


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CHANGE OF COMMAND - 2008


156 Chapter Five – Khyber Rifles’

SENDOFF TO COMMANDANT

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Commandants

Colonel Furqan Ullah Khan Tareen Aug 2008 – to date


158

Commandants

Colonel Furqan Ullah Khan Tareen, got

commission in Pakistan Army in 1986 and joined 38 Cavalry Regiment. After completion of Mid Career Course he, was appointed as General Staff Officer – III in Armoured Brigade.

Colonel Furqan Ullah Khan Tareen, has

attended Command and Staff Collage Quetta and served as Brigade Major of an Independent Armoured Brigade Group. He has also served in Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul as a Platoon Commander and Battalion Commander. He has been on sent on foreign assignments, as United Nation Military Observer at Kuwait and Iraq.

Colonel Furqan Ullah Khan Tareen, has

commanded 12 and 38 Cavalries. He has the honour to command The President Body Guard (PBG).

Presently, he is commanding the Khyber

Rifles.

Colonel Furqan Ullah Khan Tareen, Armour Corps


The Khyber Rifles is one of the oldest historic units of Militia of Frontier Corps NWFP. Khyber Rifles originally known as Khyber Jazailchies, were raised in Nov 1878 by Captain Gais Ford. It was a sort of semi Khassadars Force carrying their own rifle (Jazail). This force was to prevent the tribes molesting the line of control of the Second Afghan War expeditionary force (1878-80).

Captain Gais Ford commanded Khyber Rifles upto 1881 when he handed over command to Sardar Muhammad Aslam Khan (First Muslim Commandant) Sardar Muhammad Aslam Khan, who later became Lieutenant Colonel Nawab Sir Muhammad Aslam Khan, commanded the Corps from 1881 to 1897.

He has seen the longest period of command of 16 years.

Upto 1887 the Khyber Jazailchies served only in Khyber Agency. In that year they were re-designated as the Khyber Rifles and their role changed from serving within the Khyber Agency to serving any where required.

This major change in the conditions of their service

enabled the personnel of the Khyber Rifles to distinguish themselves in various expeditions and operations in which the troops took part.

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Jazailchies in Action



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Battle of Ali Masjid During Second Afghan War on 21st November 1878 Battle of Ali Masjid was fought at the Afghan, Western end of the Khyber Pass on the border between Afghanistan and India. The battle was fought between British and Indian troops against the Afghan army and tribesmen. The battle was commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Sam Browne VC against Ghulam Haider Khan, with the force of 12,000 British and Indian troops against 3,700 Afghan troops and an unknown number of Afghan tribesmen. The British Army overcame the mutineers with the assistance of the few loyal regiments of the Bengal Army , the regiments of the Bombay and Madras. Presidencies, which on the whole did not mutiny. But principally the British turned to the Gurkhas, Sikhs, Muslims of the Punjab and Baluchistan and the Pathans of the North West Frontier for the new regiments with which Delhi was recaptured and the Mutiny suppressed. On 21st September 1878, Major Cavagnari led the advance party of the British Mission into the Khyber Pass on its way to Kabul, to be stopped by Afghan troops on the border and turned back. Incensed, Lord Lytton issued an ultimatum to Sher Ali, requiring him to accept the mission or face invasion. Sher Ali would probably have accepted the mission, given time, but the British did not give him the chance. On 20th November 1878 the ultimatum expired and the British – Indian armies crossed the border into Afghanistan. The invasion followed three

The Afghan fort of Ali Masjid seen from the Khyber Pass



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Routes; The Peshawar Valley Field Force, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Sam Browne VC, was to leave Peshawar and head directly west up the Khyber Pass to the Afghan fort of Ali Masjid, guarding the pass from the top of an imposing mountain. Once Ali Masjid was taken the force would continue to Dakka or on to Jalalabad. The task of each force was limited; to seize some Afghan territory and halt. On 20th November 1878, Browne’s force, the strongest, was over the border, heading for the Afghan fort at Ali Masjid, lying at the head of the Khyber Pass.

Major Cavignari and Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins of the Guides Cavalry had reconnoitered the Khyber and the plan of attack was in place. 3,700 Afghans with 24 guns held the positions in and around the fort and along the line of heights stretching to each side. The force moved up the Khyber in the early morning of 21st November 1878, exchanging fire with Afghan patrols. Guns were brought up and the artillery in the pass and in the fort bombarded each other, while the British waited for the outflanking move to take effect. The next morning, 22nd November 1878, the attack was renewed, but it immediately became apparent that the Afghans had withdrawn. The outflanking force was still short of the Khyber and the Afghans made good their retreat, largely unimpeded. British casualties were 58, among those low casualties were Major Birch and Lieutenant Fitzgerald of the 27th Punjabis killed in the attack.

British infantry firing the opening shots of the Second Afghan War at the Battle of Ali Masjid



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Afghan casualties are unknown but will have been around 1,000 including 500 captured during the retreat. With the capture of Ali Masjid and the advance to Dakka, General Sam Browne’s Peshawar Field Force achieved its strategic aim. Following the success of Roberts’ Kurram Valley Field Force at Peiwar Kotal and the occupation of Kandahar by the South Afghanistan Field Force, the Ameer’s successor, Sher Ali, agreed to the Kabul mission in negotiations at Gandamak.

The murder of the British envoy to Kabul, Sir Louis Cavignari, within two months of the signing of the Treaty of Gandamak, led promptly to the terrible second phase of the war.

Black Mountain Expedition – 1880

Using their own country made rifles, a detachment of Khyber Jazailchies 350 (strong) under the command of Major Mohammad Aslam khan took part in the expedition, which was organized to suppress the trouble that broke out in the black mountains of Hazara. They distinguished themselves in this cooperation and won five awards of Indian Order of Merit.

Afridi's Uprising – 1897

In August 1897 when, as a result of Lord Lytton's forward policy, trouble started all along the Frontier. From Hazara to Waziristan all posts of Khyber Rifles were attacked by hostile Lashkars in great strength. The Force held itself and successfully repulsed the attacks by the Lashkars.

Officers of the 51st King's Own Light Infantry after the capture of Ali Masjid


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Tirah Campaign 1897 - 1898

The Tirah Campaign was an Indian frontier war in 1897-98. (The campaign is often referred to in contemporary British accounts as the Tirah Expedition.) The Afridis had for sixteen years received a subsidy from the government of British India for the safeguarding of the Khyber Pass, in addition to which the government had maintained for this purpose a local regiment entirely composed of Afridis, who were stationed in the pass. The tribesmen rose, captured all the posts in the Khyber held by their own countrymen, and attacked the forts on the Samana Range near the city of Kohat. The Battle of Saragarhi occurred at this stage. It was estimated that the Afridis and Orakzais could, if united, bring from 40,000 to 50,000 men into the field. The preparations for the expedition occupied some time, and meanwhile British authorities first dealt with the Mohmand rising northwest of the Khyber Pass. The general commanding was General Sir William Lockhart commanding the Punjab Army Corps; had 34,882 men, British and Indian, in addition to 20,000 followers. The frontier post of Kohat was selected as the base of the campaign, and it was decided to advance along a single line. On October 18 the operations commenced, fighting ensuing immediately. The Dargai heights, which commanded the line of advance, were captured without difficulty, but abandoned owing to the want of water. On October 20 the same positions were stormed, with a loss of 199 of the British force killed and wounded.


The Colour Party of Punjab Army Corps


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The progress of the expedition, along a difficult track through the mountains, was obstinately contested on October 29 at the Sampagha Pass leading to the Mastura valley, and on October 31 at the Arhanga Pass from the Mastura to the Tirah valley. The force, in detached brigades, proceeded to traverse the Tirah district in all directions and to destroy the walled and fortified hamlets of the Afridis. A force about 3200 strong commanded by Brigadier-General (afterwards Major General Sir Richard) Westmacott was first employed to attack Saran Sur, which was easily carried, but during the retirement the troops were hard pressed by the enemy and the casualties numbered sixty-four. The traversing of the valley continued, and on November 13 Brigadier General Kempster's Brigade visited the Waran valley via the Tseri Kandao Pass. Little difficulty was experienced during the advance and several villages were destroyed. The casualties in the British force numbered seventy-two. Afridis waged a perpetual guerrilla warfare and the various bodies of troops engaged in foraging or survey duties were constantly attacked. The objectives were accomplished, and the casualties during the retirement alone numbered twenty-three. The last task undertaken was the punishment of the Chamkannis, Mamuzais and Massozais. The actual march down the Bara valley (34 miles) commenced on December 10, and involved four days of the hardest fighting and marching of the campaign. The road crossed and re-crossed the icy stream, while snow sleet and rain fell constantly.


Punjab Mountain Artillery


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The progress of the expedition, along a difficult track through the mountains, was obstinately contested on October 29 at the Sampagha Pass leading to the Mastura valley, and on October 31 at the Arhanga Pass from the Mastura to the Tirah valley. The force, in detached brigades, proceeded to traverse the Tirah district in all directions and to destroy the walled and fortified hamlets of the Afridis. A force about 3200 strong commanded by Brigadier-General (afterwards Major General Sir Richard) Westmacott was first employed to attack Saran Sur, which was easily carried, but during the retirement the troops were hard pressed by the enemy and the casualties numbered sixty-four. The traversing of the valley continued, and on November 13 Brigadier General Kempster's Brigade visited the Waran valley via the Tseri Kandao Pass. Little difficulty was experienced during the advance and several villages were destroyed. The casualties in the British force numbered seventy-two. Afridis waged a perpetual guerrilla warfare and the various bodies of troops engaged in foraging or survey duties were constantly attacked. The objectives were accomplished, and the casualties during the retirement alone numbered twenty-three. The last task undertaken was the punishment of the Chamkannis, Mamuzais and Massozais. The actual march down the Bara valley (34 miles) commenced on December 10, and involved four days of the hardest fighting and marching of the campaign. The road crossed and re-crossed the icy stream, while snow sleet and rain fell constantly.


Afghan guns at Ali Masjid for Tirah Campaign


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Fifty six casualties were recorded among the troops, but many followers were killed or died of exposure, and quantities of stores were lost. On the 12th the column halted for rest. On the 13th the march was resumed in improved weather, though the cold was still severe. The rearguard was heavily engaged, and the casualties numbered about sixty. On the 14th, after further fighting, a junction with the Peshawar column was effected. The first division, aided by the Peshawar column, now took possession of the Khyber forts without opposition. Negotiations for peace were then begun with the Afridis, who under the threat of another expedition into Tirah in the spring at length agreed to pay the fines and to surrender the rifles demanded. The expeditionary force was broken up on April 4, 1898. A memorable feature of this campaign was the presence in the fighting line of the Imperial Service native troops under their own officers, while several of the best known of the Indian princes served on Sir W. Lockhart's staff.


Major Roos Keppel, Commandant passing orders to troops ex 5 Gutkhas


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Bazar Valley Expedition-1908

In 1908 the Corps was engaged against the Zakha Khel, a detachment of 300 men under Major Roos Keppel along with an equal number of 5th Gurka's crossed into the Bazar Valley via Bazar Khandao. This area was penetrated by the British for the first time. For their good work they were awarded one IOM and two Mention in Dispatches'.

Mohmand Expedition 1914-1917

During World War-1, detachments of the Corps were in continuous action against the Mohmand tribes, maintaining their moral ascendency and showing professional acumen.

Third Afghan War - 1919

The Khyber Rifles gave a very good account of themselves in the beginning of the third afghan War in 1919 at Charbagh and Dakka. They successfully held the Afghan advance till the arrival of the regular Army. However, a large number of them were influenced by the Khilafat movement of Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar and in some cases disregarded the (Kafir) British. It was, therefore decided to disband the unit. In the troublesome period of World War-II, the British Government appreciating the fighting qualities of the Frontier tribes, realized that they could not achieve their aims without the support of important tribes whose recruitment had been stopped in 1921 due to their hostile actions. As a consequence, in addition to some other tribal battalions, the first Afridi Battalion was raised in 1942.


British cavalry newly arrived in India reviewed by the Commander in Chief


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This Battalion, served in Iraq, Iran and Syria upto 1946. In appreciation for the helpful response in successfully raising the first Afridi Battalion and against actions of the Battalion during the War, it was decided to re-raise the Khyber Rifles.

Kashmir Liberation

In March 1945 the Khyber Rifles was reformed from drafts of first Afridi Battalion, Tochi Scouts, South Waziristan Scouts, Frontier Constabulary and new recruitments. In March 1948, about 150 men of the Khyber Rifles voluntarily took part in Kashmir operation to help their Kashmiri brothers in gaining freedom from Hindu, Dogra rulers. They fought bravely and won the following awards in the Kashmir campaign:-

• Mujahid-i-Haider - 1 • Certificate of Bravery - 1 • Tamgha-i-Jurat - 2

Indo-Pak War September 1965 A contingent of Khyber Rifles took part in the border defence during the Indo-Pak War 1965. The troops distinguished themselves and won one Sitara-i-Jurat and two Imtiazi Sanads.


Pakistani Troops in Jammu and Kashmīr


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Indo-Pak War 1971

A contingent of three companies was sent to East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) in April 1971. They gave good account of themselves during the War. The companies went to Dacca by air then further to Sylhet Sector. During their stay they performed various duties and were attached with different army units/formations. On our western front three companies of Khyber Rifles were sent to Gilgit. Out of this one company was deployed in Mini-marg now in Astore Sector. The other two companies under command of Major Aslam Janjua were also sent to Ghelum via Astore in very difficult terrain and cruel weather conditions like heavy snows, subzero temperatures ranging from minus 10˚C to -25˚C and at altitudes ranging from 10, 000 to 16000 ft above sea level.

The troops under such difficult conditions behaved extremely well. Vigorous patrolling was carried out. A of contingent of Bajaur Scouts was also deployed in the same vicinity. In one of the operations against enemy the Khyber Rifles lost a soldier.


Indian Artillery firing at Pakistan territory - 1971


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Russo – Afghan War 1979 – 89 The war in Afghanistan remained a dominant concern of the Pakistan government. An estimated 3 million Afghan refugees were being cared for by Pakistani authorities and assorted international agencies, with more arriving day by day. Pakistan supported the efforts of the United Nations to find a political solution to the Afghan conflict. During Russo – Afghan War during 1979 – 1989, Khyber Rifles was deployed to secure western border to guard the frontier. Main task assigned to Khyber Rifles was to stop insurgency inside Pakistan and assist government in settling down of Afghan refugees 2 x Wings were tasked to deploy troops from Bara Morcha in the West till Shinpokh in the North all along the border.

After the withdrawal of Soviets from Afghanistan, various warlords and groups fought with each other in taking control of Afghan Administration. Civil war begun in Afghanistan and the area again set to fire became the part of power achieving scenarios uptill a stalemate existed from 1989 till 1999 Khyber Rifles’ was engaged i


Afghan lashkars during Russo Afghan War - 1979


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Operation Toda Mela -1996

After the successful Chora valley operation in March 1995, in which 15 x Heroin laboratories were destroyed by the Frontier Corps troops, the area was cleaned from all sort of heinous drugs. However, after a lapse of about 8 months drug barons again established heroin laboratories at Chora Valley and Toda Mela, situated about 12 kilometers west of Ali Masjid. The criminals had established main centre at Talo Bazaar near Ali Masjid for dealing the processed drugs and material used in preparation of the Heroin .

To clean the area once again from all the curse of

narcotics, Khyber Rifles was assigned the task to carry out an operation in December 1996, to demolish the said drug laboratories and shops. This operation was planned and executed in two phases by Commandant Khyber Rifles, in the first phase two drugs laboratories had to be demolished while the second phase was meant for seizure of all drugs lying in Talo Bazar and subsequent bulldozing of all the shops, 2 x Rifle Wings and Field Battery Khyber Rifles.

One wing of Mahsud Scouts along with 8 x APCs also

took part in the operation. Political Agent Khyber Agency

Jazailchies in Action and Assistant Political Agents, Landikotal and Jamrud were also incorporated in the conduct of operation. Operation was successfully completed without any casualty of own troops. After destruction of factories and main centers of drug and clean up, the area was handed over to Political Administration.

War on Terror 9 – 11 After attacks on US on 9/11, Pakistan Army was engaged in guarding the frontiers. However, entire Army was made of War on Terror. Follow-up to the infiltration of Taliban elements and Al-Qaeda operatives into the tribal territories of Pakistan in 2001, the Frontier Corps proactively deployed its troops for strict vigilance and patrolling to seal the border and stem and further infiltration.

To achieve the purposes of this unprecedented employment, the Frontier Corps established a large number of border posts and apprehended scores of miscreants. With the shift of focus to the south of FATA, the Frontier Corps grappled successfully with a three-fold challenge. First, it entailed opening up the inaccessible areas, which can of itself be regarded as a milestone in the known history of the tribal belt. Secondly, it necessitated pushing the writ of the government deep into these inhospitable lands, where even the government functionaries had never ventured and finally, the


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Jazailchies in Action The wing reacted to all intrusions by Taliban, which had been repulsed with determination and professional competence.

Tank Internal Security Operation

Tank, formerly part of Dera Adam Khail became district in 1992 and is an administrative district of the NWFP. Tank is bounded by the districts of Lakki Marwat in the North East , Dera Ismail Khan in the East and South, SWA to the West. It has an area of 1679 square kilometer. Tank city is a typical ancient style compounded city which comprises of closely knitted Mohallah’s and streets. it has a total population of approximately 238216. The settled area is inhabited by Mahsuds, Bhittinies, Kundai, Marwat, Jattatai and Gandapur tribes.

District Tank has always been a gateway for miscreants trickling from South Waziristan to down city as their temporary residential resort. Population of these miscreants increased to an extent that colonies were owned by tribes from South Waziristan as Wazir Abad colony, Qutab Colony and Janatabad in the garb of these immigrants many unwanted elements also intruded into the city and built their hibernating places. This presence was a source of distress for District administration and all LEAs. They started imposing their agenda by Talibanization and in the process resorted to challenging the writ of the government.

liquidation of the elusive Al-Qaeda elements. An unprecedentedly large number of search and cordon operations were conducted to successfully attain these ends.

Khyber Rifles was employed in most risky operations of Frontier Corps and have been deployed in western frontiers under Operation Al-mizan at Mirali and Tirah Valley, Operation Mountain Viper and Operation Rah-e-Haq against in Swat valley against Al – Qaeda and affiliated terrorist groups infiltrating inside Afghanistan.

Operation Almizan

Khyber Rifles has been employed in Operation Almizan under 11 Corps. 2 Wing was deployed at North Waziristan Agency in 2006. As a part of Task Force, it has conducted various subsidiary operations against the miscreants with success.

4 Wing Khyber Rifles and one Infantry Battalion with Field Battery Artillery were deployed at Tirah Valley to guard the frontier against infiltration of Al – Qaeda and Taliban from neigbouring Afghan province of Nangarhar. During the course of occupation the border outposts, numerous encounters took place between 4 Wing troops and Talban.


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Jazailchies in Action This operation started once on the request of the local administration and Khyber Rifles was tasked to send troops in aid of civil power in 2007. 3 wing was sent to Tank for maintaining the writ of government.

The performance of the wing under the daring young

officer Major Muhammad Abbass was remarkable. He had successfully kept the miscreants out of the city once they repeatedly attacked the city and the fort. The officer was awarded with Tamgha-i-Basalat , on his courage and dedication towards the task assigned.

Kalaya Internal Security Operation – 2006

In September 2006, the wing was performing duties

at Bara under Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmed. The wing was ordered at short notice to move to Kalaya, Orakzai Agency as intensive sectarian clash has erupted at Kalaya over a Ziarat. The 15th century Ziarat was sensitive and emotional issue between Shia and Sunni sects of Orakzai tribe before independence as both the sects claimed the Ziarat. Therefore, it was controlled by political administration and protected by Frontier Corps to avert any clash since last many years. However, in September 06, Shia sect occupied the Ziarat due to their emotional attachment. This erupted into fierce clash between both the sects. Mortars, Rockets, and Machine guns were used in the clashes and 38 people lost their lives.

Two Frontier Corps personnel embraced martyrdom. 1 Wing (Zia’s Own) was tasked to free the Ziarat out of the control of Fiqh Jafria persons. Zia Wing moved to Kalaya under a heavy exchange of fire. It waited at Kalaya Political Administration complex till the time Jirga failed to find a resolve.

On 10 October 2006, the wing under the able

leadership of the wing commander moved to free the Ziarat under violent exchange of fire to avoid any further losses. Initially the wing successfully dislodged the persons occupying the madrasas approximately 1 kilometer away from the Ziarat. Then the wing moved to Ziarat. Heavy fire was carried out on Sunni sect to pin them down to not to allow them interfere in the operation. Then the exchange of fire took place with Shia sect occupying the Ziarat, which forced them to flee from the Ziarat area. Unyielding efforts of the wing commander and brave soldiers led to the eviction of both sect from the Kalaya Ziarat as well as its heights. 1 Wing (Zia’s Own) was able to restore the image and writ of Frontier Corps and Political Administration, which was damaged due to a ruse.


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Operation Zara Mela - 2006

On 4th March 2006, in an episode of unprecedented audacity, the miscreants in North Waziristan ambushed a convoy of Commandant Khyber Rifles, moving from Landikotal to Mirali. The counter-action of the officers and men that day added a memorable chapter of courage and commitment to the annals of the Frontier Corps’ history.

The Task Force was based at Mirali, with responsibility of making possible the safe movement of men and material through the restive areas in the south of the tribal belt, by organizing ‘Road Opening Days’. On 4th March 2006, when Colonel Qaiser Alam, Commandant Khyber Rifles, while making his way to Mirali with two vehicles to assume the charge of Task Force Mirali from Colonel Raja Tariq Mehmood of Thal Scouts.

The additional protection of a jammer joined the

party at Tauda China, making it a convoy of four vehicles. Past the Zara Mela post, the route is met by an undulating hilly stretch with two fairly distinguishable ridges running north to south divorced only by an angular ravine and interspersed generously with broken ground, the features that lend it the characteristic of a an ideal ambush site. At 1630 hours, the convoy passing through the now-famous site, came under heavy unremitting fire from the southern edge of the eastern ridge.



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The militants, between 25 and 30, occupying their selected positions on the hill, were able to engage the three ‘prime’ targets, the Commandant’s jeep and vehicles on both ends. Naiks Qimat Gul and Anwar Ullah Wazir in these vehicles suffered injuries. The escort personnel in the first vehicle meanwhile took immediate action and began engaging the miscreants with small arms and rocket fire, so as to provide safe passage to the targeted vehicles.

Taking benefit of this and in an effort to escape the

trap, the second and the third vehicle ‘ wriggled’ through to a road bend nearby, while the fourth, following suit in anxious moments, lost the tarmac and fumbled half turtle.

Meanwhile, Captain Safdar Amir informed Colonel

Raja Tariq Mehmood, Task Force Commander, who, without any further ado, dispatched him and Captain Osama Khan with Quick Reaction Force of the Khyber Rifles and a platoon of Special Operations Group to ambush site. Upon reaching the site, the reinforcement were meted with the same treatment by the miscreants.

Colonel Tariq arrived at the site with officers of the

Special Operations Group, Major Hamid Akhtar butt and Captain Mutahir Ul Islam. They were shortly joined by Colonel Qaisar Alam, Lieutenant Bilal Asghar and Captain Jehangir.



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Jazailchies in Action Without any delay, a contingency plan was formulated and necessary action was worked out through three groups. The first one, led by Captain Safdar Amir and assisted by Captain Osama Khan, managed a push against the miscreants present at the south of the eastern ridge. It, however, came under unexpectedly heavy fire from small arms, grenades and rocket launchers and had to stop and deploy. Subedar Yaqoot Khan Orakzai and Lance Naik Mumtaz Khan Shilmani of Khyber Rifles became causalities of this heavy return fire from the miscreants. Nevertheless, the groups managed to plug the southern escape route for the miscreants, who by this time, were moving northwards into to the ravine, living behind only a small groups. This second group led by Colonel Raja Tariq Mehmood and assisted by Major Hamid Akhtar. It had strength of platoon of Special Operations Group. Closing in on the miscreants to deny than any escape from the northern direction, while group was under intense fire, inflected heavy causalities on the miscreants. Colonel Tariq in person engaged a number of miscreants around the boulders that hit in the side of his neck and fell unconscious. Major Hamid Akhtar meanwhile took over the control and replied the miscreant fire.

Following the injury to Colonel Tariq, Colonel Qaisar Alam took over the control of the counter Operation. The third group led by Lieutenant Colonel Bilal Asghar. Assisted by Captain Jehangir and Mutahir, the group guarded and neutralized the miscreants trying to make good their escape through the north - western corridor.


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Jazailchies in Action The Operation eventually last its commotion as the darkness made way by 1820 hours, the first group after providing safe passage to other, arranged for the evacuation of causalities. The fierce fire fight had lasted no less than five hours and had left 20 miscreants dead, while only 4-5 could run away with their lives in this high successful anti ambush, superior tactics, resolute initiative quick decision, practical peace time drills and inspiring leadership won the day for Frontier Corps.

In this remarkable encounter, Subedar Yaqoot Khan

Orakzai, Lance Naik Mumtaz Khan Shilmani and Sepoy Amin Hussainm Orakzai embraced martyrdom on the site, while Naik Anwar Ullah and Sepoy Sher Jan Wazir sustained injuries that later provide fatal. Among those who sustained serious injuries were Colonel Raja Tariq Mehmood , Naik Qimat Gul Lance Naik Abad Khan, Lance Naik Iyaz Ali and Lance Naik Masoom Khan. This inspirational chapter in the corps history were profoundly acknowledge by all and sundry and earned a duly deserved Shabhas from General Ihsan Saleem Hayat, Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The officers were hounded with reward respecting their phenomenal daring and deep dedication.

• Colonel Raja Tariq Mehmood - Tamgha-i-Basalat • Colonel Qaisar Alam - COAS’

Commendation Card • Subedar Nazakat Khan - Imtiazi Sanad


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Operation Manglore – Swat

Manglore is a small village in Swat, it is approximately 5-6 km from Fiza Ghat The higher echelons ordered 3 wing Commander to launch an operation and capture Manglore heights. Colonel Qaiser Alam tasked the wing commander Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir and Major Akbar Alam to undertake the operation. After a necessary briefing and ground analysis, the operation commenced.

On 27 October 2007, Major Akbar Alam was assigned

the preliminary operation to occupy Manglore heights with a company size force. While approaching to the objective, his company was ambushed by the miscreants at the foothills of Manglore heights. All of the troops, were surrounded by 150 to 200 miscreants. Major Akbar Alam controlled his wits and motivated the troops and displayed courage to fight out the situation.

The fierce gun battle commenced between ambushed

troops and the miscreants. Meanwhile the shoot out at Manglore heights was in progress, Commandant Colonel Qaiser Alam was informed about the situation. Colonel Qaiser Alam and Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir led Quick Reaction Force and reached at the ambush site. The miscreants were also surrounded by the reinforcement. With the arrival of reinforcement, moral of troops in trap raised and they fought against the assailants.


Colonel Qaiser Alam on recce mission in Swat

Operational sketch from Commandant’s Diary


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Jazailchies in Action The double jeopardy created by Colonel Qaiser Alam’s leadership and tactical planning, the miscreants got imbalanced and forced to break the cordon, but they managed to escape from scene. In-spite of the fact that miscreants had cordoned Major Akbar’s force and had suffered heavy casualties of 8 persons dead and 14 injured, he kept fighting and was able to withdraw his force successfully out of ambush site causing heavy causalities to the assailants.

Displaying a high sense of military discipline, esprit-de-

corps, and devotion to duty, the action was praised by all tiers of command and in acknowledgement to courageous action Colonel Qaiser Alam, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir and Major Akbar Alam were recommended for gallantry awards.


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Rescue Operation Zerai Sur – 2008

On 21st April 2008, two United Nations’ officials of the World Food Programme Sadiq and Zafar were on their way to Torkham border town of Khyber Agency in their official vehicle. Unidentified hooded men kidnapped them at gunpoint in Neekikhel and drove them in a commandeered vehicle towards Zerai Kandao. The incident forced the Political Administration Khyber Agency, requested Colonel Qaiser Alam, Commandant Qaiser Alam, to put the security forces on alert at different check posts. Subsequently, the Khassadars force at Zerai Kandao intercepted the vehicle and challenged the kidnappers. The kidnappers left the vehicle and climbed Zerai Sur near Neekikhel.

Colonel Qaiser Alam ordered Quick Reaction Force led by

Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmad and Major Faheem Aslam to rescue the United Nations’ Officials. An operation was thus launched to recover two kidnapped officials. The force took over the situation from Khassadar force and executed the plan to recover the officials. When the troops of Khyber Rifles reached closer to the criminals, they were surrounded by 80 – 100 Taliban of different origin including Uzbeks and Afghans.

The situation deemed, an immediate response from

Khyber Rifles’ force of 34 individuals. The plan made by Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmad and Major Faheem Aslam Memon was to break the cordon and fight back till completion of task assigned.



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Jazailchies in Action Small size security force of 12 individuals commenced the move to break the cordon of miscreants, heavy exchange of fire took place between both the groups. Ensuing encounter lasted for few minutes, leading to martyrdom of two officials Lance Naik Muhammad Riaz of Swat Scouts and Lance Naik Jehanzaib of Mohmand Rifles, and five others were seriously injured. Three miscreants were killed and 7 got serious injuries during the encounter. After breaking up the cordon, the officers made a blocking position at Neekikhel and Zerai Khassadar Post, trapping all the miscreants chocked in the Kagga Drain, Zerai Kandao.

Seeing the hostile response from security forces, Taliban

and abductors requested for negotiations and offered the release of abducted United Nation Officials.

The kidnappers released the abducted United Nations’

officials and escaped with miscreants towards nearby heights. However, Quick Reaction Force of Khyber Rifles was reinforced by Commandant Colonel Qaiser Alam along with Special Operations Group – II and pursuit the miscreants about seven kilometers.

The action of Khyber Rifles was appreciated by all tiers of

command and high ranking government officials. In this regard officers and soldiers were nominated for gallantry awards for there bravery and dedication.


185 Chapter Three– Khyber Rifles

Organization

Khyber Rifles is composed of a Corps HQ, 5 x Rifle Wings, a Field Battery Artillery and a support wing known as Headquarter Wing. Corps HQ is commanded by Colonel known as Commandant assisted by Staff Officers of the rank of Majors and Captains to look after operational and administrative requirements of the wings. Present strength of Khyber Rifles is 3,800 all ranks. A Rifle Wing is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel known as a Wing Commander. He is assisted by 2 – 3 field or subaltern officers who look after operational and administrative requirements of the Wing and Companies. Junior Commissioned Officers are appointed as Company Commanders and Havildars as Platoon Commanders. Each wing of Khyber Rifles is composed of 667 all ranks.

186

Organization of Khyber Rifles

Chapter Three– Khyber Rifles

Organization of Khyber Rifles

187

Headquarters’ Wing provide operational and administrative support to Corps HQ and all the Wings and Field Battery to fulfill task assigned by the Headquarters Frontier Corps. It is headed by a Field Officer and assisted by Junior Commissioned Officers, Ministerial Staff and Non Combatants Enrolled. Khyber Rifles possesses One Field Battery Artillery of 25 Pounder Guns, commanded by a Battery Commander of Major rank. The Junior Commissioned Officers performs the duty of Gun Position Officer in battery. In addition Field Battery possesses six guns of 3.7 inch in operational condition.

Chapter Three– Khyber Rifles

189

1 WING KHYBER RIFLES - ZIA’s OWN

1 Wing’s motto is Zia, means light. A light of origin of Frontier Corps, a light of hope and struggle. Zia wing is among the oldest wing of Frontier Corps and first of Khyber Rifles. History of Khyber Rifles and Zia wing moved side by sided till the origin of more wings of Khyber Rifles. Zia wing participated in all the operations with blood and toil of its brave soldiers and glorified the image of Khyber Rifles. a

As per traced history, the wing was raised in 1946 under Major J. Letts. The wing is also honoured to be Commanded by the late President of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia Ul Haq in 1954. Late General Zia Ul Haq often visited Zia Wing and Khyber Rifles during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff and President to revive his reminiscences. His orderly Awal Khan was from Zia wing and obtained special benevolence from General Muhammad Zia Ul Haq for his village located on Afghan border.

In addition to 1965 and 1971 war, the elders of area recall 1 Wing taking part in Kashmir war in 1948. As per the record history the wing has defended frontiers in Russo-Afghan from 1979 to 1990. Thereafter, very brief few of the operations conducted by the wing are:-

• In 1991, the wing under Captain Ghulam Ali carried out operations against tribesmen.

.

Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmad, Baloch Wing Commander 1 Wing

2006 - 2008

• In 1993, the wing under Captain Sajid carried out operation against drug traffickers in Dara Adam Khel.

• In 1994, the wing participated in ops at Swat and Bajaur against Sufi Muhammad to established writ of the govt. Sufi Muhammad was arrested during the op.

• In 1998, the wing under Lt Col Tariq Khan carried out operation in Shabqadar against the unauthorized use of electricity by the resident. Few of the Frontier Constabulary and police persons died during the ops.

• In the escalation of 2001, the wing was sent to Bahawalnagar border and stayed there for one year.


190

1 WING KHYBER RIFLES - ZIA’s OWN

killed and one soldier of Zia wing embraced

Martyrdom. He was awarded Tamgha-i-Basalat for his meritorious performance.

• On 21st April 2008, one platoon of Zia wing under Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmed with Major Faheem Aslam operated to relieve 3 UN employees abducted by miscreants in large numbers at Prangsam. Due to the brave action of troops, UN officials were successfully released. During the crossfire 2 Frontier Corps personnel embraced shahadat and 5 x sustained injuries whereas 3 miscreants were killed and 7 injured including son Baitullah Mehsud.

• In 2005, while at Tirah valley 14 personnel of wing embraced shahadat due to land sliding.

• In 2005, wing was relocated at Mirali and carried out ops against miscreants. It established no of post in area and repulsed no of miscreants attacks and caused afflicting damage on miscreants. Nine soldiers of Zia wing embraced shahadat and 8 soldiers sustained injures in no of actions during the stay.

• In Sep 2006, the wing under Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmed carried out ops at Kalaya in Orkzai Agency. Shia sect persons occupied Ziarat at Kalaya which erupted into a major dispute between both sects. On 10 Oct 06 the wing successfully relieved the Ziarat from the control of Fiqh Jafria persons, thereby ensuring peace in the area.

• In Feb 2007, the wing under second in comd Major Muhammad Abbas was employed in Tank to thwart miscreants activities. Miscreants in heavy number attack the post held by the wing. The bravery shown under the leadership of Major Muhammad Abbas forced miscreants to lick their wounds. Many miscreants were


191

2 WING KHYBER RIFLES

2 Wing Khyber Rifles was raised in 1879 during 2nd Afghan War. Thus has the honour of being oldest in Frontier Corps. It has the honour of participating in 1965 and 1971 War in Kashmir sector. Havildar Shah Afzal embraced martyrdom in 1965 War.

This wing has also the honour of guarding the frontier of Pakistan during the Russian invasion in Afghanistan. Beside performing the primary tasks in Khyber Agency.

2 Wing has been providing very operational services in other parts of the country. The wing moved to Karachi in 1992 and remained on IS Operations till 1995. During escalation of 2002, the Wing was deployed on the Eastern Border of the Bahawalpur Sector against India.

This wing has carried out a number of

operations against terrorist and anti state elements in Waziristan. Presently this wing is located at Mirali in Operation Al – Mizan. Presently 2 Wing Khyber Rifles is commanded by Major Ghulam Abbas.

Major Ghulam Abbas . Azad Kashmir Regiment Wing Commander 2 Wing

2006 - 2008


192


Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir, AC Wing Commander 3 Wing

2006 - 2008

3 Wing of Khyber Rifles was raised on 23 June 1976

at Shilman, Khyber Agency. The wing consists of basically five major tribes which are Yousefzai, Shilmani, Khattak, Mohmand and Mulagori. Since its raising the wing has performed numerous tasks and duties including Border Security, IS Anti Smuggling and also has been actively participating in war against terrorism. In December 2001, a coy of 3 Wing moved to Tirah valley thus listing amongst the pioneers who operated in this area.

In 2002, the wing was privileged to defend Pak-

Indian border near Bahawalnagar. 3 Wing again moved to Tirah valley as a complete entity in May 2005. In performance of challenging task in a difficult and snow bound area 7 Jawans the wing embarrassed Martyrdom.

It is also worth mentioning that the wing was sent

to Karachi and interior Sindh for the challenging task of IS where the wing came upto the expectations and earned good name for Khyber Rifles.

In 2007, 3 Wing has also performed IS duties in

District Tank and Mohmand Agency successfully. In Oct 2007, the wing moved to Swat valley and actively participated in op Mountain Viper/Rah-i-Haq. The wing besides conducting number of operations in Swat which caused

severe blow to the nefarious designs of miscreants, also apprehended approximately 170 miscreants including 7 x foreigners. During this op, performance and professionalism of the wing was appreciated by all quarters.

On 23 Jun 2008, the wing moved to The Bara of Khyber Agency and participated in op Sirat-e- Mustaqim. During this op also, the wing displayed high standard of professionalism and became instrumental in establishing writ of the government in Bara sub-division. The force operating under Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir eliminated number of important crime centers which broke the back of miscreants in the area. On successful culmination of the operation, the wing moved to




Landikotal on 18 July 2008 and took the responsibility of protection of Road Peshawar- Landikotal.

Other than professional excellence, the wing history also glitters with extra curricular activities. More significant are that , in 1999 the wing won inter wing basket ball championship. In 2002 the wing also won inter wing cricket tournament and KR shooting competition.

Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir was commissioned in Armoured Corps in 1984. He is a graduate of command and staff college. He has served as a General Staff Officer-2 (Operations) of an infantry division and a Brigade Major of an independent Armoured Brigade Group. The Officer has commanded an Armoured Regiment and has also been on the faculty of School of Armoured and Mechanized Warfare.



4 Wing Khyber Rifles was raised in 1985 at Landikotal. The wing was employed in various internal security operations in FATA. The successful Toda Mela operation in 1996 is on the inventory of 4 Wing.

4 Wing is presently deployed in Tirah Valley , to

guard the frontiers, opposite Afghan Nangarhar province. Since 2006, this wing has been made part of Operation Almizan.

The terrain of Tirah Valley is rugged, snow

bounded and devoid of any communication structure. During April 2007, 14 soldiers got Martyrdom due to land sliding at Kashkol area.

The people of Tirah dependant on domestic

agriculture and rain bounded water source. Khyber Rifles has been very cooperative to local tribes in developing the area and has installed 2 tube wells near the camp location.

Presently this Wing is being commanded by Major

Muhammad Abbas, who got Tamgha-i-Basalat on his remarkable performance in Operation Mountain Viper .

Major Muhammad Abbas, Sindh Wing Commander 4 Wing

2008

195


Major Muhammad Hafeez, AD Wing Commander 5 Wing

2008

5 Wing Khyber Rifles was raised in 1986 at Landikotal.

5 Wing participated in Operation Mountain Viper at Swat and conducted various subsidiary operations against miscreants. The wing was made part of Bara Operation during July 2008 and completed the Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem successfully without any causality to own troops.

On 5 August 2008, 5 Wing was moved to Bajaur

Agency for operation against miscreants. On 6 August 2008, while the troops of 5 Wing were moving towards miscreants’ location in Loya-e-Sam, the convoy was ambushed, in which 3 soldiers got injured. The remaining troops retaliated promptly and came out of ambush site, causing heavy causalities to miscreants.

On 7 August 2008, the advance commenced to

Loya-e-Sum. Once the convoy reached near the destination, 100s of armed miscreants attacked the troops causing 3 martyrdoms and 28 personnel seriously injured. Wing Commander Major Muhammad Hafeez, regrouped the wing and affected heavy casualties to miscreants.


196

Field Battery Khyber Rifles

In 1967, Frontier Corps NWFP received six 3.7 Inch Field Artillery Guns from Pakistan Army. Khyber Rifles being the oldest unit was given an opportunity to raise a Field Battery at Landikotal on 10 October 1967 with 52 all ranks, commanded by a Captain.

The Field Battery was placed under Headquarters as a

separate entity. In 1988, the status of battery was upgraded and 3.7 inch guns were replaced with British origin, 25 Pounder Guns.

Battery was employed to conduct operations in

Shilman sub-sector against Afghan aggression. In 1988, Battery was deployed at Ashkhel gun position, about four kilometers North of Landikotal. Ashkhel gun position was established by British in early 90s. In October 1991 Battery moved to Kot Jamel, Azad Kashmir, in support of 23 Infantry Division.

Up till now Battery has been employed in 31

contingents of Frontier Corps NWFP and provided fire support to all most all Frontier Corps units from South Waziristan to Kurram agency and Orakzai to Bajaur agencies. The battery has fired 5610 rounds during 2002 – 2008 internal security operations in FATA and PATA.

Major Faheem Aslam Memon, Artillery Battery Commander Field Battery

2007 - 2008


197

Field Battery Khyber Rifles

The Khyber Rifles’ Field Battery has the honour to train the observers of entire Frontier Corps units at par courses being conducted at School of Artillery. During 2008, sixty four Junior Commissioned Officers and Non Commissioned Officers have been trained as Artillery Observers.

Presently the battery is commanded by Major

Faheem Aslam Memon of 132 Medium Regiment Artillery with Subeadar Inayat ur Rehman and Subeadar Alam Khel as Gun Position Officers. 3. 7 Inch Gun

25 Pr Gun


From left : Major Ghulam Abbas, Major Shahid Baig, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Muzahir, Colonel Qaiser Alam, Colonel Furqan Ullah Tareen, Lieutenant Colonel Asim Ahmad, Major Faheem Aslam, Captain Khurram

Lest We Forget


200

ACHIEVEMENTS - MARTYRDOM

Sepoy Gul Farosh son of Darwesh Khan was born on 11 August 1976 in Yousefzai tribe at village Shamozai, Mardan.

He joined Khyber Rifles on 1 April 1997. He got

married in October 2000. He served at various locations in FATA and qualified the Anti Terrorists Course in March 2004 from Scouts Training Academy, Mirali.

On completion of Anti Terrorist Course he joined

newly raised Special Operations Group ( Elite Force of Frontier Corps). Sepoy Gul Farosh, participated in various operations in North Waziristan, Bara and Swat.

On 28 October 2007, in sequel to Operation

Mountain Viper Sepoy Gul Farosh along with Special Operations Group was employed against the miscreants in Swat Valley and came under fire of miscreants and embraced martyrdom.

His last words “ TAKE MY GUN, DELIVER IT

GENERAL SAIB” have been made part of Pakistan’s history and will be remembered as UNFORGETTABLE.


201

ACHIEVEMENTS - KHYBER RIFLES

Khyber Rifles has the honour to participate in Pakistan Army Rifle Association Meet – 2007 and scored Third position amongst all Pakistan military units and organization.

The Khyber Rifles were

declared winner of Frontier Corps NWFP Dolly Cup – 2007.

Major Ghulam Abbas and

Subedar Major Zar Badshah prepared the team of Frontier Corps and achieved the distinction. The team comprises of Naib Subedar Naseeb Gul, Tochi

Scouts, Havildar Waseem Khan,

Sepoy Rasool Khan of Mehsud

Scouts, Havildar Aqal Baz. Lance

Naik Jabir Hussain, Sepoy Mujahid

Ullah of Swat Scouts, Sepoy

Muhammad Sadiq, Sepoy Qasim

Khan, Sepoy Alamgir of Khyber

Rifles, Naik Muhammad Khan,

Shawal Rifles and Lance Naik

Payo Khan of South Waziristan

Scouts.

The Frontier Corps PARA team did wonder to beat hundreds of Army Infantry units in the competition and raised the flag of Frontier Corps NWFP.

Frontier Corps’ Doly Cup - 2007

FRONTIER CORPS’ DOLY CUP - 2007


202

KHYBER RIFLES

Michni Post

THEN & NOW

Michni Post - 1967

Michni Post - 2008


203

KHYBER RIFLES

THEN & NOW

Michni Post Today


204

KHYBER RIFLES

Ali Masjid Fort

THEN & NOW

The Afghan fort of Ali Masjid - 1897

Ali Masjid Fort - 2005 Ali Masjid Fort - 2008


205

KHYBER RIFLES

Shagai Check Post No.2

THEN & NOW

Shagai Post No.2 - 1999

Shagai Post No.2 - 2008



KHYBER RIFLES

Jamrud Wing HQ

THEN & NOW

Bazaar Post Khungai Post

Shagai Fort Shagai Post Khungai Post

207

KHYBER RIFLES

Piquet No. 8 Shilman

THEN & NOW

Piquet No.8 - 2007

Piquet No. 8 - 2008

Brig Fiaz, Col Qaiser and Lt Col Asim on the inauguration ceremony of Zameer Post

Construction team of Piquet No. 8, later renamed as Subedar Zameer Post


208

KHYBER RIFLES

Zameer Post (Piquet No. 8) Shilman

THEN & NOW

Sector Commander Brig Fiaz at Zameer Post

After inauguration meals on the bank of Kabul River

Brig Fiaz with Maj Khuda Yar and Maj Faheem Aslam during recreation

Brig Fiaz, Col Qaiser, Lt Col Asim with local tribesmen near Zameer Post


211 Chapter Six – Khyber Rifles’ Gallery

Khyber Rifles’ Fort


Khyber Officers’ Mess


Visitors’ Gallery


Visitors’ Gallery

Colonel Sir Sardar Aslam (First Commandant Khyber Rifles with Colonel Sir Robert Warburton (First Political Agent Khyber Agency)

Quaid-e-Azam meeting Officers during visit to Khyber Rifles in 1946



Visitors’ Gallery

Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at Khyber Rifles - 1948

Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah meeting with Jazailchies - 1948


Visitors’ Gallery

Captain Barton (Commandant) with Captain Roos Kappel later 2 Wing Commander - 1898

Major Zia ul Haq (later General and President of Pakistan) 2 Wing Commander receiving Field Marshal Harding at Charbagh

1954


Visitors’ Gallery

General Yahya Khan with Shah Iranian and Raza Shah Phelvi at Khyber Officers Mess

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Edward Philips with Officers of Khyber Rifles - 1961



King Shah Hussain with Officers of Khyber Rifles

First Lady Jacqueline. F. Kennedy with Sardar Ameer Mohammad Khan and Officers of Khyber Rifles



Lady Diana with Colonel Khizer Hayat, Commandant Khyber Rifles at Michni - 1991



Souvenirs presented to Khyber Rifles’ Mess by British Government to mark the visit of Lady Diana to Khyber


Visits – Foreign Dignitaries

Assistant Secretary of United States Richard Boucher with Commandant, Colonel Qaiser Alam - 2007

US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady with General Zia Ul Haq



Mr. Negro Ponte is being received at Khyber Officer’s Mess – May 2008


TRI PARTITE MEETING AT LANDIKOTAL


FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT MICHNI


PLA CHINA’S DELEGATION AT KHYBER


NAS DELEGATION VISIT TO MICHNI


DEPUTY AMBASSADOR OF CHINA AT KHYBER


INDIAN CRICKET TEAM AT KHYBER - 2006



Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto with Officers of Khyber Rifles - 1990

Former President of Pakistan Ghulam Ishaq Khan with Commandant, Colonel Khizer Hayat



Former Interior Minister Sher Pao with Commandant, Colonel Qaiser Alam 2005



General Masood Aslam, Commander 11 Corps Commandant with Colonel Qaiser Alam - 2007



Daughters of East and West Captain Beth and Captain Krumm, ISAF with Pakistani host - 2007


PAK – AFGHAN FRIENDSHIP BUS


GOVERNOR ALI JAN ORAKZAI AT PASSING OUT PARADE


FAREWELL VISIT OF IGFC MAJOR GENERAL TARIQ MASOOD


Heritage

Heritage - Village Mathra

Mathra village and heritage museum was the brain child of Colonel Qasir Alam, Commandant Khyber Rifles (2005 – 08).

The idea was to preserve the heritage of Afghan and Tribal culture of FATA. Village Mathra was constructed with in the

premises of officers mess having a total covered area 195 x 135 feet. All the constructions of the village have been made with

the view to have traditional village of FATA or NWFP. So that, visitors all around the world must get the idea of village life.

Village Mathra has prominent features to depict a traditional environments of a village :-

• Evolution of Frontier Corps Corridor, is designed to assess the evolution of Frontier Corps from 18th century to

present state.

• Palwasha’s Dining Room, depicts the old site of dinning hall for the village, where people can take meal on sitting

ground or on a dinning table. Different sorts of household utensils are also placed in the room

• Ali’s Sitting Room, or “Baithak” in local dialect. People take draughts of tea and “Kawa” and chitchat in it in the

room during winter season.

• Laaebba’s Bed Room, it depicts the layout of a typical bedroom of a villagers.

• Veranda, it is attached with Palwasha Hall, sitting room and bride room and enhances their beauty.

• Chappal Kabab Shop, this part of the restaurant is a bit larges. It is actually the “Chappli Kabab” and “Nan” shop.

• Handi Shop, Unlike Chappal Kabab shop, Handi is a Karahi shop.

• Gun Smoke, is a shop for serving for traditional Qewa in Chennaks.


Heritage - Khyber Museum


Heritage - Evolution of Frontier Corps


VILLAGE MATHRA


MRS. CORPS COMMANDER INAUGURATING TFWC EXHIBITION


New Generation of Jazailchies at Mathra


Books Published on Khyber Rifles

Eighteen Years in the Khyber 1897 – 1898 Colonel Sir Robert Warburton was the son of an artillery officer who had been

taken prisoner at Kabul in 1842, and escaped through the good offices of an Afghan princess. He married this lady, and she transmitted to their son that power of exercising influence over the tribes of the north-west frontier which stood him in good stead during his long service in India.

Warburton entered the Royal Artillery in 1861, took part in the Abyssinian War of

1867-68, and then joined the Bengal Staff Corps. He served with distinction in the expedition against the Utman Khel in 1878 and in the Afghan War of 1878-80. Very soon after the British government had made permanent arrangements for keeping open the Khyber Pass, Warburton was appointed to take charge of it as political officer. This post he held, discharging its duties with conspicuous ability, between 1879 and 1882 with intervals of other duty, and continuously from 1882 until 1890.

He turned the rude levies which formed the Khyber Rifles into a fine corps, ready to serve the Indian government wherever they might be required. He made the road safe, kept the Afridis friendly, and won the thanks of the Punjab government, expressed in a special order upon his retirement, for his good work. When the Afridis began to cause anxiety in 1897, Colonel Warburton was asked by the government of India if he would assist in quieting the excitement amongst them. He declared himself ready to do so, but in the meantime the trouble had come to a head. Colonel Warburton took part in the campaign which followed; at its close his active career ended. He occupied his leisure in retirement by writing his memoirs, Eighteen Years in the Khyber (1900). He died at Kensington on the 22nd of April 1899.



The Khyber Rifles : From British Raj to Al Qaida

The Khyber Pass has a famous name in both Indian and British Imperial history. The gateway to the lawless mountains of the North-West Frontier, inhabited by the fierce and ruthless Pathan tribes people; would-be foreign conquerors have been carrying on ( or more often been carried off) the Khyber ever since Dr. Bryon as the sole survivor of a 16,000 strong British army that had set out from Kabul in Afghanistan in 1842.

The perennial fighting around the Khyber is once more in the news, so this history by a former Reuters journalist could not be more topical. Jules Stewart concentrates on the story of the Khyber Rifles, the unit raised by the British from the ranks of the Pathan tribesmen themselves. The creation in 1878 of the local British political officer, Sir Robert Warburton, the Rifles had a checkered history during Britain’s largely fruitless attempts to subdue the tribesmen of the North-West Frontier.

Disbanded after the third Afghan War in 1919, the Rifles were revived in

the Second World War, only to be taken over by the new Muslim state of Pakistan in 1948. Today they have new duties: attempting to stop the flow of drugs and stem the influence of Al Qaeda terrorists, and Stewart’s book tells that story.



King of the Khyber Rifles Book and Movie

The book has been written by Talbot Mundy. Freshly arrived Sand Hurst trained Captain Alan King, better versed in Pashtun then any of the veterans and born locally as army brat, survives an attack on his escort to his Northwest Frontier province garrison near the Khyber pass because of Ahmed, a native Afridi deserter from the Muslim fanatic rebel Kurram Khan's forces.

As soon as his fellow officers learn his mother was a native Muslim which got his parents disowned even by their own families, he falls prey to stubborn prejudiced discrimination, Lieutenant Geoffrey Heath even moves out of their quarters, except from half-Irish Lt. Ben Baird. Brigadier General J. R. Maitland, whose policy is full equality among whites, learns King knew Kurram Khan as a boy and charges him with training and commanding native cavalry, which comes along fine.

The general's egalitarian daughter Susan Maitland takes a fancy to

King, even falls in love but the general decides to send her safely home to England after a kidnapped attempt when King saved her. King volunteers to take out Khurram Khan, the only man who can bring the normally dived local tribes together in revolt, pretending to have deserted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TalbotMundy_KingOfTheKhyberRifles.jpg

Commandant’s Stick Orderly - 2008

News clipping of The News International, Thursday March 6, 2008.

Frontier Corps has always proved its worth by sacrificing precious lives in the line of duty. The brave troops of this force have proven many examples of bravery and soldiering.

This publication is

dedicated to Sepoy Gul Faroash, 2 Wing Khyber Rifles, who laid his life in Operation Mountain Viper at Swat. On 28 October 2007, in sequel to Operation Mountain Viper Sepoy Gul Farosh along with Special Operations Group was employed against the miscreants in Swat Valley and came under fire of miscreants and embraced martyrdom.

Commandant and all

ranks of Khyber Rifles share the loss of bereaved family of Sepoy Gul Faroash who laid his life to keep the emblem of Frontier Corps and Khyber Rifles, high.

Sepoy Gul Farosh son of Darwesh Khan was born on 11 August 1976 in Yousefzai tribe at village Shamozai, Mardan. He joined Khyber Rifles on 1 April 1997. He got married in October 2000. He served at various locations in FATA and qualified the Anti Terrorists Course in March 2004 from Scouts Training Academy, Mirali.

On completion of

Anti Terrorist Course he joined newly raised Special Operations Group (Elite Force of Frontier Corps). Sepoy Gul Farosh, participated in various operations in North Waziristan, Bara and Swat.

His last words

“TAKE MY GUN, DELIVER IT GENERAL SAIB” have been made part of Pakistan’s history and will be remembered as UNFORGETTABLE.