Shawal Rifles

Shawal Rifles
Founded1972[1]
Country Pakistan
BranchCivil Armed Forces
Size2 Wings
Part ofFrontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (South)
Regimental centreRazmak[2]
Commanders
CommandantColonel Tayyab

The Shawal Rifles is a paramilitary regiment, forming part of the Pakistani Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North).[3] The Rifles are tasked with defending the border with Afghanistan and assisting with law enforcement in the districts adjacent to the border. The regiment had a 2020/21 budget of Rs. 1.85 billion.[4]

History

The regiment was raised in 1972 as the North West Waziristan Scouts but this was changed to the shorter current title.[5] The name alludes to the Shawal Valley in North Waziristan. In August 1973 the regiment was posted to the abandoned Razmak Camp, and work was carried out to restore the military base.[6]

In the early 21st century, the Rifles have been involved in anti-drugs operations. In 2011-2012, the unit received a number of drug testing kits to assist in their work against drug smuggling.[7]

In October 2017 a vehicle of the regiment was attacked in Razmak, resulting in the deaths of three personnel and injuries to a further seven.[8]

Units

  • Headquarters Wing
  • 195 Wing[9]: 96 
  • 196 Wing[9]: 96 

References

  1. ^ The Bulletin. Vol. 47–48. Military Historical Society (Great Britain). 1996. p. 20. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  2. ^ Mohmand, Sher Mohammad Khan (2003). FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan): A Socio-cultural and Geo-political History. p. 269. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  3. ^ "The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III" (PDF). Government of Pakistan. 20 September 2019. p. 117. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Federal Budget 2020–2021: Details of demands for grants and appropriations" (PDF). National Assembly of Pakistan. p. 2539. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  5. ^ Khan, Mohammad Nawaz (1997). The Valiant Scouts: The Frontier Corps (N.W.F.P.). p. 37. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  6. ^ Defence Journal. Vol. 18. 1992. p. 38. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Equipping Pakistan's Law Enforcement For Interdiction" (PDF). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 25 February 2011.
  8. ^ Pazir Gul (10 October 2017). "Three soldiers martyred in North Waziristan attack". Dawn. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b "The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III" (PDF). Government of Pakistan. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2022.