IV Corps (Pakistan)

The corps was formed in 1965 and was the second corps level formation created by Pakistan Army. After independence, Pakistan had an organisation whereby all divisions were controlled directly by General Headquarters. Although a corps (the I Corps) would be raised in the late 1950s, it was found that the organisation was unwieldy, and thus orders for a second corps and a field army to control the two corps were given, the army was later disbanded.[3]

The Corps and its assigned assets were still under the process of raising when war came. Its only operational arm was 4 Corps Artillery which was to play a major role in the Kashmir operations preceding the war and in the capture of Chamb and Jaurian under the able command of Brig. Amjad Chaudhry.

Later the formation was moved in support of 6 Armoured Division in the historic Battle of Chawinda. Brig. Amjad Chaudhry, IV Corps artillery would play a major part in the battle,[4] and its performance was deemed to have been the decisive factor in the battle.[5][6]

The headquarters of this corps was inaugurated in January 1966 and Lieutenant General Attiqur Rahman was appointed as the first corps commander.[1]

Immediately after the war, the corps was fully stood up. In 1971 it would go to war again, under command of Lt. Gen Bahadur Sher. With two divisions under command it would see skirmishes on the Wagha border area, and later it would capture the Husseinwala district in India, including Qaisar-e-Hind Fort.

The corps order of battle is.[7]

• Headquarters IV Corps:
  • 10th Infantry Division:
  • 11th Infantry Division:
  • 3rd Independent Armoured Brigade: Unidentified Location. In June 1972 the brigade headquarters was located at the Changa Manga Forest Rest House.[8]
  • 212 Infantry Brigade: Unidentified Location. Reportedly possibly Lahore[9]
  • Independent Artillery Brigade
  • Independent Engineer Brigade
  • Independent Signal Brigade