19 Baloch Regiment
| 19th Battalion The Baloch Regiment | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1942–1965; 1969 - Present |
| Country |
 Pakistan
|
| Branch |
 Pakistan Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Anti Tank |
| Nickname(s) | Mother of SSG |
| Motto(s) | Alquadri |
| Colors | Rifle green; faced cherry |
| Engagements | World War II Indo-Pakistan War 1948 Indo-Pakistan War 1971 |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Battalion | Brigadier Salim Ashraf, SI (M) |
| Notable commanders |
Major General Abrar Husain, HJ, MBE Major General AO Mitha, HJ, SPk, SQA Brigadier AQ Sher, HJ |
19th Battalion The Baloch Regiment is one of the oldest Light Anti-Tank Regiment of Pakistan Army. Initially raised as the Machine Gun Battalion of 10th Baluch Regiment in 1942, it was first designated as 53rd Regiment, Indian Armoured Corps and then re-designated as 17/10th Baluch. This unit has the unique honour of being the parent unit of Pakistan Army's special forces known as Special Service Group. Prominent officers including General Mirza Aslam Beg, General Pervez Musharraf have served in the unit and Maj Gen Abrar Hussain and Maj Gen Aboobaker Osman Mitha also known as AO Mitha have commanded this unit. Another famous officer was the brilliant Col. S.G. Mehdi,M.C, considered the 'Father of SSG" whose career was cut short when he refused to agree to a foolhardy scheme concocted by the Pakistan Army general Staff to launch para commandos in Indian Held Kashmir in 1965. The Operation called "Gibraltar" was the brainchild of Gen Akhter Malik, whose inordinate ambitions lead to this grand fiasco. Mehdi was sacked and the new commander was ordered to go ahead with the mission which was a total disaster.
19 Baloch originally formed part of old 10th Baluch Regiment Group, which was raised in 1820. To cater for the ever-growing demand of troops, the group was expanded during World War II and a number of battalions were added, including 17/10th Baluch, which was raised on 15 April 1942 at Karachi by Lt Col C J D Tomkins.
After its raising, the battalion was involved in famine relief duties in Bengal. From there, it moved to Persia as part of Persia and Iraq (PAI) Force to Bisitun in Persia. In Persia the battalion performed protection duties.
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