# Ibex Force
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{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Ibex Force
| native_name =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Insignia of the Gilgit Scouts
| dates = 1948
| country = {{PAK}}
| allegiance = {{army|PAK}}
| branch = [Gilgit Scouts](/source/Gilgit_Scouts)
| type = Paramilitary
| role = [Mountain Warfare](/source/Mountain_Warfare)
| size = 600+ fighters
| command_structure =
| garrison = [Gilgit](/source/Gilgit)
| notable_commanders = Ehsan Ali
[Babar Khan](/source/Babar_Khan_(Major))
| battles = {{Tree list}}
* [Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948](/source/Indo-Pakistani_War_of_1947-1948)
** [Siege of Skardu](/source/Siege_of_Skardu)
** [Battle of Thorgo](/source/Battle_of_Thorgo)
** [Action at Tsari](/source/Action_at_Tsari)
{{Tree list/end}}
}}
The '''Ibex Force''' was a specialized military unit that played a crucial role in the defense and strategic operations of [Gilgit-Baltistan](/source/Gilgit-Baltistan) during the [First Kashmir War](/source/First_Kashmir_War) (1947–1948). Formed as an [auxiliary force](/source/auxiliary_force) within the [Gilgit Scouts](/source/Gilgit_Scouts) in 1948, the Ibex Force was instrumental in securing key territories and engaging in tactical missions against [J&K](/source/Jammu_and_Kashmir_(princely_state)) and [Indian](/source/India) forces in the region. The unit was disbanded in 1948 after the successful military operations.
== Formation and purpose ==
The Ibex Force was established on 1 February 1948 in Harmosh, 25 miles east of [Gilgit](/source/Gilgit), as part of the broader Gilgit Scouts, a [paramilitary](/source/paramilitary) force responsible for maintaining security in the rugged and mountainous terrain of [Gilgit-Baltistan](/source/Gilgit-Baltistan).[{{Cite web |date=2020-09-27 |title=Surrender at Skardu—1948 |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/28-Sep-2020/surrender-at-skardu-1948 |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}] The formation of the unit was prompted by the rebellion against [Dogra rule](/source/Princely_State_of_Jammu_and_Kashmir) and the subsequent need for a well-trained, locally recruited force to defend the newly liberated region.[{{Cite web |title=Gilgit-Baltistan Liberation War 1947-48: The Untold Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and the Quest for Freedom |url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/view-article.php?i=9219&utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Hilal Publications |language=en-US}}]
[Lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant) [Babar Khan](/source/Babar_Khan_(Major)), along with [Major](/source/Major_(rank)) Ehsan Ali and [Captain](/source/Captain) Muhammad Khan, organized the Ibex Force. This force comprised approximately 600 personnel, including elements of the [Gilgit Scouts](/source/Gilgit_Scouts), [Chitral Scouts](/source/Chitral_Scouts), deserters from the [6 Jammu and Kashmir Infantry](/source/Jammu_and_Kashmir_Rifles), and local [militia](/source/militia).[{{Cite web |date=2014-03-16 |title=1951 Coup attempt: The second sepoy rebellian |url=https://www.siasat.pk/threads/1951-coup-attempt-the-second-sepoy-rebellian.241027/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Siasat.pk Forums |language=en-US}}] The Ibex Force was instrumental in various military engagements in the region during the conflict. On the night of October 31, 1947, [Major](/source/Major_(rank)) [William Brown](/source/William_Brown_(British_Army_officer)) and [Subedar Major](/source/Subedar_Major) [Babar Khan](/source/Babar_Khan) led the Gilgit Scouts on [a rebellion](/source/1947_Gilgit_Rebellion) that led to the surrender of [Brigadier](/source/Brigadier) [Ghansara Singh](/source/Ghansara_Singh), the Dogra State Governor, and the accession of the [Gilgit Agency](/source/Gilgit_Agency) to the [Dominion of Pakistan](/source/Dominion_of_Pakistan).[{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_l9tBQAAQBAJ |title=Gilgit Rebelion: The Major Who Mutinied Over Partition of India |date=2014-11-30 |publisher=Pen & Sword Military |isbn=978-1-4738-2187-3 |language=en}}]
== Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48 ==
Following the [Gilgit Rebellion](/source/Gilgit_Rebellion), The Ibex Force was actively involved in major military operations during the [First Kashmir War](/source/First_Kashmir_War), Particularly paving the way for the capture of [Skardu](/source/Skardu). Under the command of [Major Raja Muhammad Babar Khan](/source/Babar_Khan_(Major)), the unit participated in several key battles.[{{Cite web |date=2020-01-10 |title=From Gilgit scouts to NLI regiment |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Jan-2020/from-gilgit-scouts-to-nli-regiment?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}] The Ibex force were involved in the [Action at Tsari](/source/Action_at_Tsari) as they launched an assault on the Tsari outposts near Skardu. The operation resulted in the elimination of the state forces' outposts and paved the way for further advances towards [Skardu Valley](/source/Skardu_Valley).[{{Cite book |last=Riza |first=Shaukat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qTsZPQAACAAJ |title=The Pakistan Army, 1947-1949 |date=1977 |publisher=Natraj Publishers |isbn=978-81-85019-63-5 |language=en}}]
The leading column of Ibex Force left Harmosh for [Skardu](/source/Skardu). The distance from Gilgit to Skardu is 160 miles and a 20-day journey, but the liberation forces covered it in 14 days, that too in winter.[{{Cite book |last=Cloughley |first=Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5UvfAAAAMAAJ&q=a+history+of+the+pakistan+army |title=A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections |date=2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-579374-1 |language=en}}] This victory further weakened the opposing forces' hold in the region.[{{Cite book |last=Khan |first=Akbar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ab8tWjdbWf4C |title=Raiders in Kashmir |date=1970 |publisher=Pak Publishers |language=en}}] Elements of Ibex Force also took part in the [Siege of Skardu](/source/Siege_of_Skardu), contributing to the eventual fall of the garrison. and the capture of Colonel [Sher Jung Thapa](/source/Sher_Jung_Thapa).[{{Cite web |last=Panag |first=Lt Gen H. S. |date=2017-08-16 |title=Brigadier Sher Jung Thapa, MVC – The Hero of Skardu Part 2 |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2017/08/16/sher-jung-thapa-skardu-gilgit-kargil-pakistan?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}}]
The Ibex Force was composed mainly of local recruits from Gilgit-Baltistan, chosen for their knowledge of the terrain and their resilience in high-altitude warfare. They underwent rigorous training, focusing on guerrilla warfare tactic, mountain and winter survival, ambush and counter-insurgency strategies and weapons handling and marksmanship.[{{Cite web |title=BATTLE OF SKARDU- a story of determination, courage and hope- Indo-Pak war |url=https://www.jammukashmirnow.com/Encyc/2020/2/14/BATTLE-OF-SKARDU-a-story-of-determination-courage-and-hope-Indo-Pak-war.amp.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=www.jammukashmirnow.com |language=en}}]
== Legacy and disbandment ==
Following the successful military operations of 1948, the Ibex Force was disbanded, and its members were either integrated into other military formations such as the [Northern Light Infantry](/source/Northern_Light_Infantry) or returned to civilian life.[{{Cite book |last=Nawaz |first=Shuja |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jKyfAAAAMAAJ |title=Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-547660-6 |language=en}}] Many members of the Ibex Force, including their commander Major Raja Muhammad Babar Khan, who was awarded the [Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam](/source/Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam) by [Field Marshal](/source/Field_Marshal_(Pakistan)) [Ayub Khan](/source/Ayub_Khan). Their efforts were instrumental in shaping the modern defense structure of the region.
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
Category:India–Pakistan war of 1947–1948
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ibex Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibex_Force) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibex_Force?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.