19th “Shakar Garh” Battalion Frontier ForcePIFFER Tigers

Unofficial Tribute to PIFFER TigersNo affiliation with the Government of Pakistan

Brief History

• The battalion was raised on 26th September, 1965 in Abbotabad, Pakistan with Lt. Col. Muhammad Ayub Afridi as its first commandant.

• After serving on the front lines in the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the battalion moved to Bannu where it stayed until 1968.

• It was later moved to Dacca, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) to conduct internal security martial law duties in Dacca city.

• After the devastating floods in 1969, 19th Battalion carried out relief operations and rescued 4,900 victims.

Brief History

• As a result of its outstanding performance, the battalion was awarded the Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam and the Commander in Chief’s Commendation Card.

• 19th Frontier Battalion earned its name of “PIFFER Tigers” in 1969 when it became the first Nationally integrated unit with the induction of 25% Bengali officers. Tigers are commonly associated with Bengal.

• Sahibzada Yaquob Khan used the term in his speech during the induction ceremony which led to the formal naming of the battalion as ‘PIFFER Tigers”

1967: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

1967: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

c. 1970s: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

c. 1970s: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

Gallantry at Shakar Garh

• Under the command of Lt. Col. Shafique Ahmed (Sitara-e-Jurat), 19th

Frontier Force Battalion guarded Shakar Garh City from a massive onslaught by Indian armed forces.

• Shakar Garh was the site of one of the most intense battles after World War II.

• It was strategically vital to both India and Pakistan.

• The battalion reversed Indian army gains, capturing their posts, and seizing a large cache of ammunition left by fleeing Indian army soldiers.

• The Battalion also captured the largest number of enemy combatants during the 1971 War.

c. 1972: PIFFER Tigers with Indian ammunition seized in Shakar Garh

Battalion Accomplishments

The 19th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment was responsible for inflicting heavy losses on Indian Armed Forces.

Enemy Casualties: 53 from 3/9 Gorkha Regiment and 4 Grenadiers (Indian army)

Prisoners of war: 79 (including 3 officers and 3 Junior Commissioned Officers)

Wounded: over 200

1974: Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade

Heroes of the 19th Battalion Frontier Force

Martyrs: 21 (including one officer)

Wounded: 32 (including 2 officers and 2 Junior Commissioned Officers)

Battalion’s Heroes:

• Major Muhammad Afzal (Shaheed)

• Captain Faryad Ali Rana (Shaheed)

• L/N Suleman Sarkar (Shaheed) - Killed 14 enemy combatants

Battalion Commandants

1. Lt. Col. Muhammad Ayub Afridi

2. Lt. Col. Ahmed Fuad

3. Lt. Col. R.D. Shamim

4. Lt. Col. Mumtaz Gul

5. Brig Syed Akbar Hussain

6. Lt. Col. Khalid Manzur

7. Lt. Col. Sanjaf Khan

8. Lt. Col. Mahmud Azam

9. Lt. Col. Shafiq Ahmed

10.Lt. Col. Hamid Mahmood

6 Commandants of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment.

c. 1980s: Officers and JCOs of 19th Frontier Force with General Muhammad Iqbal Khan.

The 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment received the battle honour of

“Shakargarh 1971”