Force Command Northern Areas is a division size formation of the Pakistan Army. It commands the troops deployed in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.[1] It is a component of X Corps of the Pakistan Army. In contrast to the general belief that it is a corps sized formation, it is a division sized force commanded by a major general. Its coat of arms is a snow leopard on a black background.
Origins of FCNA
After the war of 1971 and the loss of territory in the Turtuk area (including three villages of Turtuk, Thang and Tyakshi), need was felt to hold the area more strongly included permanent presence of the army instead of leaving it to the care of Karakorum and Northern Scouts. Consequently, Force Command Northern Area was raised in 1972 as a brigade sized formation responsible for defense of Line of Control in what was then called Northern Areas. The formation was upgraded to a division sized formation in 1975 commanded by a Major General.
Present Day Order of Battle
Brigades
Location
80th Infantry Brigade
Astor
150th Infantry Brigade
Gilgit
323rd Infantry Brigade
Karakoram-Dansam
62nd Infantry Brigade
Skardu
61st Infantry Brigade
U/I Location
Independent Engineering Brigade
U/I Location
Independent Signal Brigade
U/I Location
5 Aviation Squadron
U/I Location
Commanders of Force Command Northern Areas (incomplete list)
Rank and Name
Date Assumed Command
Notes
Brig Safdar Hussain Khan
15 Aug 1972
Brig Muhammad Asghar
13 Jul 1973
Later a politician and MNA, formed his own faction of Pakistan Muslim Leagure - Junejo
Brig Agha Zulfikar Ali Khan
16 April 1974
Brigadier Abdul xxxx Malik
23 Nov 1974
Maj Gen Muhammad Riaz Khan
15 Jun 1975
Maj Gen C A Majid
16 Jun 1976
Later Lt Gen
Maj Gen Nishat Ahmad
Jan 1978
Maj Gen Muhammad Aslam Shah
July 1979
Later Lt Gen
Maj Gen Imtiaz Warraich, SJ
June 1980
Later Lt Gen
Maj Gen Pirdad Khan, SJ
June 1982
Later Lt Gen
Maj Gen Safdar Ali Khan
May 1984
Maj Gen Humayun Khan Bangash
July 1986
Later Lt Gen
Maj Gen Ayaz Ahmad
Nov 1987
Later Lt Gen
Maj Gen Irshadullah Tarrar
Mar 1989
Maj Gen Zahir ul Islam Abbasi
May 1991
Launched the disastrous operation Chullung operation in Aug 1992 leading to huge losses by 1 AK and killing of Brigade Commander
Maj Gen Fazal Ghafoor
Maj Gen M Aziz Khan
Later General and Chairman Joint chiefs of Staff Committee
