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19th Battalion, The Baloch Regiment is the oldest Light Anti Tank Battalion of Pakistan Army. Initially raised in 1942 and then put in the suspended animation in Aug 1965, this unit rose again from its ashes like a phoenix in 1969.

19 Baloch (SSG)

19 Baloch originally formed part of old 10 Baloch Regiment Group, which was raised in 1820. To cater for the ever growing demand of troops to fight the war for the British Crown, the group was expanded during World War-II and a number of battalions were added including 17/X Baloch in April 1942 at Karachi.

World War II

Initially after raising the battalion was involved in famine relief duties in Bengal. However once the back door corridor was opened through Persia to supply the Soviet Union with the resources necessary to keep the Germans from overwhelming them, the battalion moved as part of Persia and Iraq (PAI) Force to Bisitun in Persia. In Persia the battalion performed the protection.

Post World War II Moves

After existence of PAI force was no more required the duties of 17/X Baloch were diverted to oversees duties. On 21 Dec 1945 the Battalion left for Dodecanese Islands (Greece) and disembarked at Rhodes, as the garrison battalion. From Rhodes the battalion was sent to Benghazi, Tobruk and finally Cyrenaica in Aug 1946. It left Cyrenaica in January 1947, via Suez for India, arriving at Bombay on 16 Feb 1947. The battalion was stationed at Poona upto Aug 1947.

First Kashmir War

The battalion took part in Kashmir Operation in Bagh Sector under 102 Brigade. On 20th Jul 1948, C Company of this battalion alongwith D Company of 11 Baloch captured pt 9178, during the operation which culminated at capture of Pandu. The Bn guarded a frontage of 60 Kms from Chatter to Dara Haji Pir. Lance Havaldar Lal Khan of this unit was awarded with Taghma-e-Juraat for gallantry in the capture of point 9178.

Conversion to SSG

The Bn was earmarked as Special Service Group battalion in 1956. 17th Battalion, The Baloch Regiment and 312 Garrison Company (SSG) were amalgamated and this Battalion was renamed as 19th Battalion, The Baloch Regt (SSG).

Suspended Animation

It remained SSG Battalion for 13 year, till August 1965 when the scope of Special Service Group was expanded from battalion size to that of an operational group and 19 Baloch went into suspended animation.

Resuscitation & Reorganization

The battalion was re-organized as Reconnaissance & Support(R & S) Battalion on 14 Mar 1969.

Raising Day

Raising day is celebrated on 11 April commemorating the setting up and functioning of the Battalion at Abbottabad.

1971 War - Battle of Chamb

During 1971 war, all the R&S Companies took part in the war under their respective brigades in the “Battle of Chamb”. Jalil Force named after the then Commanding Officer (CO) Lt Col Abdul Jalil took up defense in Nadala enclave general area Surkhpur. Brief account of the events is as under:-

A Coy. At the out break of hostilities this company was part of “The Minto Force” (named after Lt Col Minto CO 26 C) and was placed under command of 4 Azad Kashmir Brigade. This force comprised of 12 Indep Squadron, Squadron ex 26 C, Company R&S ex 19 Baloch and Rear HQs of 26 C.

B Coy. The coy went under comd 20 Brigade Group. The company alongwith 23 Baloch played an important role in capture of Chamb.

C Coy. The coy was under comd 111 Brigade Group. The important actions undertaken by the company are:-

   * 	   Capture of Paur Post Alongwith troop of tanks (26 C) on the morning of 4 Dec 1971.
   *       Advance and fight on the Phagla ridge with a squadron of tanks (26 C) on the morning of 6 Dec 71. 	
   *       Attack on Dhar and Palatan on night 10-11 December 1971.

D Coy. The company under went frequent changes of brigades. The main action, in which it took part under 4 AK Brigade, was the action of Mandiala ridges. In this action the company advanced from a Bridge head across river Tawi followed by squadron of tanks ex 11 C on the morning of 5 Dec 1971. The force got ambushed and was completely pinned down having suffered the loss of seven Recoilless Riffles and two Machine Guns.

Re-designation as Light Anti Tank Battalion

The Battalion was redesignated as LAT Bn in May 1991. Due to old affiliation with SSG, the Bn was affiliated with 1 Commando Battalion (SSG) and redesignated as 19 Baloch (SSG) in Apr 1998.