XII Corps (Pakistan)

The XII Corps, also known as Quetta Corps[1] or Southern Command[2] is a corps of Pakistan Army currently stationed in Quetta, Balochistan Province. It is commanded by Lieutenant-General Sarfraz Ali

XII Corps/Southern Command
Active1985–present
Country Pakistan
Allegiance Pakistan Army
BranchActive Duty
TypeArmy Corps
RoleCombined arms formation
Tactical headquarters element
Size30,000+ approximately (though this may vary as units are rotated)
HQ/Command Control HeadquarterQuetta, Balochistan Province
Nickname(s)Quetta Corps[1]
Colors IdentificationRed, White and Black
   
EngagementsSoviet–Afghan War
Pakistan war in Afghanistan
War on terror
India-Pakistan Standoff
Balochistan conflict
War in North-West Pakistan
DecorationsMilitary Decorations of Pakistan Military
Commanders
Commander Southern CommandLt Gen Sarfraz Ali
Notable
commanders
General Khalid Shameem Wynne
General Abdul Waheed Kakar

History

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 created for Pakistan a real security threat on the western borders for the first time in its history. As a result, two new corps were raised to guard the western borders. These were the XI Corps in Peshawar, and the XII Corps, with the responsibility of guarding the Bolan Pass. The formation spent, the first few years of its history guarding against Soviet expansionism. The end of the cold war and the ending of the Soviet threat, led the formation into a new era. It would lose divisions, and brigades to the western border. Notably 40 infantry division would be moved to Okara,[3] and for a time it would have only one division.

War on Terrorism

The war on terror began and once again the corps began to undertake duty on the western borders, catching and neutralising Al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives, although it has not been involved to such an extent as the XI Corps. The operations continue to this day.

2001–2002 Standoff

The formation would in early 2002 be moved to the eastern border for the first time in its history as the threat of war with India loomed. The corps purpose was to provide reinforcement to V Corps in the Thar desert. It would return to Quetta in 2004 just in time to face a new challenge.

Baloch Rebellion

In 2004, the Balochistan conflict restarted. The formation was involved in putting down the insurrection in collaboration with local security forces, and by 2006, with the killing of Akbar Bugti, the rebellion was more or less suppressed.

List of Commanders Southern Command & XII Corps

Lieutenant-General

Sarfaraz Ali December 2020
Muhammad Waseem Ashraf September 2019December 2020
Asim Saleem Bajwa September 2017September 2019
Aamer RiazOctober 2015September 2017
Nasser Khan JanjuaSeptember 2013October 2015
Alam KhattakOctober 2011September 2013
Javed ZiaApril 2010October 2011
Khalid Shameem WynneApril 2007April 2010
Shahid HamidSeptember 2003October 2004
Abdul Qadir BalochOctober 2001September 2003
Mushtaq HussainOctober 1999October 2001
Tariq PervaizMay 1997October 1999
Saranjam Khan1995May 1997
Lieutenant general Zia Ullah KhanJanuary 19931995
Abdul Waheed KakarAugust 1989January 1993
Syed Zakir Ali ZaidiMay 1987August 1989
Khushdil Khan Afridi1985May 1987

ORBAT

The formations composition has changed on several occasions in the past, and like all formations on the western border it has received reinforcements for the war on terror, however its present composition is thought to be.

Formations Location
HQ XII Corps (Quetta)
33rd Infantry Division (Quetta)
41st Infantry Division (Quetta)
Independent Infantry Brigade (Turbat)
Independent Armoured Brigade (Khuzdar)
Independent Infantry Brigade Gwader
Independent Engineer Brigade U/I Location
Independent Signal Brigade U/I Location
  • Global Security Website
  • Orbat.com

References

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