Mujahid Force

{{Short description|Irregular infantry regiment of Pakistan Army}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Mujahid Force Regiment | native_name = {{Nastaliq|مجاہد فورس رجمنٹ}} | image = Pakistan Day Parade - 23 March.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Soldiers from the Mujahid Force during the Pakistan Day Parade in 2016 | start_date = 1965 | disbanded = | country = {{PAK}} | countries = | allegiance = | branch = {{Army|PAK}} | type = | role = Infantry, Artillery | size = 27 active battalions | command_structure = Pakistan Army | garrison = Bhimber, Azad Kashmir | garrison_label = Force Centre | nickname = 'Mujahids' | patron = | motto = Arabic:جہاد فی سبیل اللہ<br/>Jihad fi-Sabilillah | colours = {{legend2|#01411C|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2| #DE3163|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} | colours_label = | march = | mascot = | anniversaries = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = * Second Indo−Pakistani War * Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 * 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes | decorations = | battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | website =  | commander1 = Brig. Tahir Ali Syed <ref>{{cite news |title=COAS Gen. Bajwa installs Lt-Gen. Bilal Akbar as Colonel Commandant of Mujahid Force |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/411728 |date=28 December 2018 |work=The News International}}</ref> | commander1_label = Director Mujahid Force | commander2 = Lt. Gen Amer Ahsan Nawaz<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1367429 |title=Nadeem named Mujahid Force's Col Commandant |date=31 October 2017 |work=Dawn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1545267/coas-appoints-lt-gen-nadeem-raza-mujahid-force-commandant |title=COAS appoints Lt Gen Nadeem Raza as Mujahid Force commandant |date=30 October 2017}}</ref> | commander2_label = Colonel Commandant | notable_commanders =  General Nadeem Raza | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = }}

The '''Mujahid Force Regiment '''({{langx|ur|مجاہد فورس رجمنٹ }}) is an infantry unit of the Pakistan Army tasked with securing the Line of Control (LOC) and supplementing the regular army during national emergencies and wartime. Initially established in 1965 as part of the National Guard, it continued under this designation until 1992. In 2019, it was officially recognized as an infantry unit of the Pakistan Army. The regiment headquarters is located in Bhimber, Azad Kashmir.

== History == The force was established in 1965,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pakistanlaw.pk/statutes/5747/pakistan-mujahid-force-ordinance-1965 |title=The Pakistan Mujahid Force Ordinance, 1965 |date=8 June 1965}} Approved by the National Assembly on 21 July 1965.</ref> and was merged into the National Guard when that organization was formed in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PdOAr2vHozoC |work=Pakistan Affairs |volume=XXVI |location=Washington |date=16 January 1973 |page=94 |title=National Guards program is {{sic|lauched|hide=y}} to reduce dependence on Army}}</ref> The Force is further regulated by the National Guards Act, 1973, which became law on 12 August 1973. This law sets out, amongst other things, the criteria for applicants and that the Force personnel were subject to military law with respect to criminal charges.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://senate.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1660541181_821.pdf |title=National Guards Act, 1973 |work=Gazette of Pakistan |publisher=Senate of Pakistan |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref> It was raised as a reserve force to support and supplement the regular Army during national emergencies and war. The headquarters are in Bhimber, Azad Kashmir, established in 1992.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

The Force was originally intended as a border guard unit but has been involved in military actions in recent years. In August 2012, it was reported it was being trained by the Special Service Group (special forces) as part of cross-border infiltration efforts by the Pakistan Army.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khajuria |first=Ravi Krishnan |date=21 August 2012 |title=Pak's border force being trained by commandos |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120822/j&k.htm#2 |work=Tribune News Service |location= |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref> In 2018, the force was alleged to have deployed four battalions to the Line of Control in Kashmir, to engage in cross-border infiltration activities against Indian forces.<ref name="today">{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pakistan-deploying-units-part-of-border-action-team-along-loc-says-intelligence-sources-1162827-2018-02-07 |title=Pakistan's Border Action Team deploys battalions along LoC: Intel sources |first=Jitendra Bahadur |last=Shah |work=India Today |date=7 February 2018}}</ref> Later in 2018, it was announced that several temporary battalions were to be given permanent status.<ref name=zee>{{cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/world/pakistan-converting-temporary-mujahid-battalions-into-permanent-with-its-new-three-phased-training-policy-2083381.html |title=Pakistan converting temporary Mujahid Battalions into permanent with its new three-phased training policy |publisher=Zee News |date=22 February 2018}}</ref> In November 2019, after the dissolution of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Force was reported to have deployed about 17,000 personnel in 25 battalions, closer to the Line of Control.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gurung |first=Shaurya Karanbir |date=12 November 2019 |title=Pakistan moves heavy artillery, SSG commandos close to Line of Control after August 5 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pakistan-moves-heavy-artillery-ssg-commandos-close-to-line-of-control-after-august-5/articleshow/72000755.cms |work=The Economic Times |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>

== Training == Some members of the Force have been trained alongside military personnel at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, with the 12th such intake graduating in March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=30 March 2022 |title=Passing out parade of PMA Long Course, Mujahid Course, Lady Cadet Course, Integrated Course held |url=https://www.radio.gov.pk/30-03-2022/passing-out-parade-of-pma-long-course-mujahid-course-lady-cadet-course-integrated-course-held-in-kakul |work=Radio Pakistan |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>

== Insignia == The Force badge depicts a star held up by two pointed ends of a crescent super imposed with a dagger in vertical position in clasped wrist pointing upward, resting on a scroll with a war cry inscribed in Arabic.

== Public image == The Force regularly participates in public events. For example, the 760th Battalion was involved in the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on 23 March 2017.<ref name="geo">{{cite news |author= |date=23 March 2017 |title=Military parade in capital marks Pakistan Day celebrations |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/135237-Military-parade-in-capital-marks-Pakistan-Day-celebrations |work=Geo News |location= |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>

The Mujahid Force was involved in controversy in June 2019 when it advertised jobs for sanitation workers but specified that only non-Muslims should apply, although the advertisement was soon withdrawn.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/06/29/pakistan-army-changes-ad-seeking-christians-only-for-sanitation-jobs.html |title=Pakistan Army changes ad seeking 'Christians only' for sanitation jobs: "Minority representation" in sanitation jobs in Pakistan is over 80 per cent |date=29 June 2019 |work=The Week}}</ref>

== Engagements == * Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 * Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 * Fire exchange along the Line of Control since 1991

==Units== Known battalions {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * 641 Battalion<ref name="today"/><ref name=zee/> * 642 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/Issue-6%20Dated%2005-02-2020.pdf |title=The Gazette of Pakistan. Part II. |page=113 |publisher=Government of Pakistan |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=11 December 2022}}</ref> * 645 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/india-today-archives/story/20131021-jihad-valley-pakistan-new-wave-of-terror-even-as-it-talks-peace-767961-1999-11-29 |title=Pakistan unleashes a new wave of terror even as it talks peace |quote=Havildar Mohammad Yousuf Chaudhary of the 645 Mujahid Battalion |first=Sandeep |location=Srinagar |date=21 October 2013 |last=Unnithan |publisher=India Today |access-date=11 December 2022}}</ref> * 646 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/MTI3OQ==.html |title=Spirits Rekindled – Joint Staff Pakistan Day Parade - 2015 |last1=Tariq |first1=Sardar Muhammad |first2=Asif Jehangir |last2=Raja |website=Hilal: The Pakistan Armed Forces Magazine |access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref> * 647 Battalion<ref name="today"/><ref name=timesnow>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/forces-on-alert-as-large-number-of-pakistan-ssg-commandos-spotted-near-loc/490387 |title=Forces on alert as large number of Pakistan SSG commandos spotted near LoC |first=Srinjoy |last=Chowdhury |publisher=Times Now News |date=17 September 2019}}</ref><ref name=zee/> * 648 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/Issue-9%20Dated%2026-02-2020.pdf |title=The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III. |publisher=Government of Pakistan |date=10 March 2021 |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>{{rp|68}} * 649 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/MzE1Mg==.html |title= Long Live Pakistan: Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade 23rd March 2019 |last=Iqbal |first=M. Javed |website=Hilal: The Pakistan Armed Forces Magazine |access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref> * 651 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/MTQ3NQ==.html |title=The Untold Stories of Courage and Bravery |first=Maria |last=Khalid |website=Hilal: The Pakistan Armed Forces' Magazine}}</ref> * 654 Battalion<ref name="today"/><ref name=zee/> {{col-2}} * 655 Battalion<ref name="today"/><ref name=zee/> * 658 Battalion<ref name=gazette20220519>{{cite web |url=http://ajksupremecourt.gok.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Syed-Tasawar-Hussain-Shah-vs.-Azad-Govt.-of-the-State-of-Jammu-Kashmir-others.pdf |title=Civil Appeal No.194 of 2017 |page=1 |publisher=Supreme Court of Azad Jammu & Kashmir |author=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/intercepted-pakistani-radio-communications-confirm-wing-commander-abhinandan-shot-down-pak-f-1620190405210050/ |title= Intercepted Pakistani radio communications confirm Wing Commander Abhinandan shot down Pak F-16 |publisher=Asian News International |date=5 April 2019}}</ref> * 702 sherdil Battalion<ref name=timesnow/> * 760 Battalion<ref name="geo"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pakistangulfeconomist.com/2017/03/27/pakistan/ |title=In the news: Pakistan: India's Modi greets PM on Pakistan Day |publisher=Pakistan & Gulf Economist |author= |date=27 March 2017}}</ref> * 792 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mangaloretoday.com/headlineprint/Several-Pakistani-bunkers-destroyed-in-counter-firing-by-Indian-Army-at-Akhnoor.html |title=Several Pakistani bunkers destroyed in counter firing by Indian Army at Akhnoor |publisher=Mangalore Today News Network |date=29 February 2020}}</ref> * 801 Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130807/main1.htm |title=5 soldiers killed in Pak ambush |publisher=Tribune News Service |date=7 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/indian-army-hits-back-major-among-8-pakistanis-killed-2621117.html |title=Indian Army hits back: Major among 8 Pakistanis killed |publisher=One India |date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/exclusive-indian-soldiers-slain-on-loc-slept-as-death-trap-closed-1052345.html |title=Exclusive: Indian soldiers slain on LoC slept as death-trap closed |publisher=Firstpost.com |date=22 August 2013}}</ref> * 815 Mujahid Battalion (JANGJU) * 816 Mujahid Battalion (Tigers) * 831 Mujahid Field Regiment (Chamb Tigers) * 833 Mujahid Medium Regiment Artillery (TAKBEERI) * 834 Battalion (JANFISHAN) {{col-end}}

== Colonel Commandants == {| class="wikitable" |+Colonel Commandants of the Mujahid Force !S# !Commandants !From !To |- | |Lt General Nadeem Raza |2017 |2018 |- | |Lt General Bilal Akbar |2018 |2019 |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Military units and formations established in 1965 Category:Military in Azad Kashmir Category:National Guard (Pakistan) Category:Regiments of Pakistan