II Corps (Pakistan)
| II Corps | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | June 1971 - Present |
| Country |
 Pakistan
|
| Allegiance |
 Pakistan Army
|
| Branch | Active Duty |
| Type | Army Corps |
| Role | Combined arms formation Tactical headquarters element |
| Size | +60,000 approximately (though this may vary as units are rotated) |
| Part of | Central Military Command of Pakistan Army |
| HQ/Command Control Headquarter | Multan, Multan District, Punjab Province |
| Nickname(s) | II Strike Corps |
| Colors Identification | Red, White and Black |
| Anniversaries | June 1971 |
| Engagements |
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Indo-Pakistani War of 1999 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff War in North-West Pakistan |
| Decorations | Military Decorations of Pakistan Military |
| Commanders | |
| Corps Commander | Lieutenant-General Sarfraz Sattar |
| Notable commanders |
GEN Tikka Khan GEN Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq GEN Rahimuddin Khan LTG Hamid Gul GEN Jehangir Karamat |
The II Corps, known as II Strike Corps or Army Reserve South, is army corps of Pakistan Army stationed in Multan, Punjab Province of Pakistan. The II Strike Corps is one of Pakistan's four heavy armoured corps. Also known as Army Reserve South, the corps is currently active in Pakistan's theatre in War on Terror where its administrative divisions and brigades led numerous operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. The Corps is currently commanded by 3-star general Lieutenant-General Sarfraz Sattar as Corps Commander. The Corps longest-serving Commander was then Lieutenant-General Rahimuddin Khan.
II Corps was formed in 1971 as the winds of war began to blow in South Asia. It was responsible for the defense of all of Pakistan south of Multan; a huge undertaking, as well as the launching of counterattacks against India itself. As war came its units would be heavily involved in the first task.
The Corps was commanded by Tikka Khan during the war. Controversially one of its divisions; the 18th Infantry Division, was taken out of II Corp's command and sent on an ill-fated offensive towards Ramgarh; which led to the debacle at the Battle of Longewala, the fact it was under GHQ rather than II Corps, spared the corps of any blame, but was latter deemed one of the causes of failure. A major Indian attack towards Umerkot would be defeated by two of the corps divisions; the 18th after its return from Ramgarh and to II Corps command, and the 33rd Infantry Division, a task for which they were commended, after the war. In the final analysis its performance in the war; while commended by many parties, would be controversial, since at no time was its most powerful formation, 1st Armoured Division, committed to action.
As a heavy armour and mechanised formation, it was unsuited for the mountain warfare that characterised the army's commitments over the next three decades in Kashmir, Siachen and Kargil, although it a few units did see action attached to other corps. As Pakistan's main strategic reserve, it was also not sent on overseas operations under the UN and with allies (such as Gulf War I and Somalia) which the army was ordered to undertake.
...
Wikipedia