The Sindh Regimental Centre stands as a symbol of excellence, shaping soldiers who have fortified national defense and contributed significantly to the Global War on Terror.

At the time of independence in 1947, the Pakistan Army inherited five Infantry Regiments. Subsequently, the number of regiments increased, primarily due to their ethnic affiliations. The number continued to grow due to ethnic and religious factors. Given the prevailing circumstances and security requirements, it was felt that the province of Sindh was underrepresented—almost entirely unrepresented—in the Army, both in name and substance. There was no regiment named after Sindh, nor was there any substantial representation of Sindhis in other regiments.
In the composition of infantry soldiers, there existed a category known as Muslim Sindhi Balochi (MSB or simply SB). However, this was a misnomer, as very few Sindhis or Balochis actually enlisted in the Army. Under the SB classification, mainly Qaim Khawanis, Ranghars, and anyone with a domicile in Sindh Province were enlisted. It was in this context that, in the late 1970s, the then-President and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq ordered the formation of the Sindh Regiment to integrate the people of Sindh into the mainstream. This decision proved to be a wise one for national integration, transforming the Army into a truly inclusive and cohesive national institution. The breakthrough allowed Sindhis to enlist with enthusiasm and pride. Over time, the performance of the Sindh Regiment’s units demonstrated that they were as capable as any and often excelled beyond others.
Sindh Regimental Centre
On July 1, 1980, the independent training battalion of the Baloch Regiment at Sukkur was re-designated and began functioning as the Sindh Regimental Centre. It also raised five training companies under its training wing, including the administration wing, record wing, and field paying office. In 1981, the Sindh Regimental Centre moved from Sukkur to Petaro, approximately 35 kilometers from the Hyderabad cantonment. It later shifted to its current permanent location, Hyderabad, in October 1987, becoming one of the most modern complexes in the Army. The Sindh Regimental Centre was initially established with twelve Punjab and eleven Baloch battalions. From 1988 to 2019, twelve additional battalions (including a Light Commando Battalion, LCB) were raised. To date, the Regiment comprises a total of 35 battalions. The 40 Horse (Sindh) is also affiliated with the Sindh Regiment. The Regiment is proud of its chivalrous history and has earned one Nishan-i-Haider (NH), 12 Sitara-i-Jurrat (SJ), 32 Sitara-i-Basalat (SB), 17 Tamgha-i-Jurrat (TJ), and 201 Tamgha-i-Basalat (TB).
Raising of Regimental Centre
The Sindh Regimental Centre holds a crucial position within the Pakistan Army, serving as the backbone for recruitment, training, and fostering a sense of comradeship and identity among soldiers. This Centre plays a key role in shaping the ethos and operational effectiveness of the Army. The following is an in-depth look at the functions and significance of the Sindh Regimental Centre in the context of the Pakistan Army:
• Recruitment and Induction. The Sindh Centre serves as the primary hub for recruiting new soldiers into the army. It conducts rigorous selection processes to identify individuals with the requisite physical, mental, and moral attributes, as well as the necessary perception for military service. The Sindh Centre plays a dynamic role in ensuring that only the most qualified and capable individuals are inducted into the army, thereby maintaining its high standards of professionalism and excellence.
•  Training and Skill Development. Once recruits are selected, the Sindh Regimental Centre is responsible for providing them with comprehensive training to prepare them for the challenges of military life. This training covers a wide range of subjects, including weapons handling, physical fitness, tactics, maneuvers, and leadership skills. Regimental trainers, often seasoned veterans themselves, impart their knowledge and expertise to the new recruits, molding them into disciplined and competent soldiers capable of fulfilling their duties effectively.
•  Cultural and Ethical Preservation. The Sindh Regimental Centre also plays a decisive role in preserving the rich cultural and ethical heritage of the various regiments within the Pakistan Army. Each regiment has its own traditions, customs, and values, passed down through generations. The Sindh Centre serves as a repository of history and tradition, ensuring that the ethos of each regiment is upheld and respected by all who serve under its banner.
•  Cohesion and Esprit De Corps. One of the most important functions of the Sindh Regimental Centre is to foster a strong sense of cohesion and esprit de corps among the soldiers by instilling a deep pride in their regimental affiliation and unit identity. The Centre creates bonds of brotherhood and camaraderie, which are essential for effective teamwork and unit cohesion on the battlefield. Soldiers who train together at the Regimental Centre develop a strong sense of loyalty and mutual trust, enabling them to perform at their best in even the most challenging and demanding situations.
•  Historical Significance. Many Regimental Centres in the Pakistan Army have rich historical significance, dating back to the colonial era and even earlier. The Sindh Regimental Centre serves as a living monument to the bravery and sacrifice of generations of soldiers who have served their country with honor and distinction. By preserving and commemorating this proud legacy, the Centre inspires future generations of soldiers to uphold the highest traditions of military service and dedication to duty.
War Experiences
The Sindh Regimental Centre of the Pakistan Army has a rich history of war experience and counter-insurgency operations, with many soldiers from this Centre demonstrating exceptional gallantry and bravery in the face of adversity. Soldiers trained at the Regimental Centre have participated in various wars and conflicts, including the Indo-Pakistani Wars, the War on Terror (WoT), and border skirmishes.
•  1971 War. September 1971 holds historical significance for our country. Our gallant Army units sacrificed their lives and pushed the Indian Army back across the Bambanwali-Ravi-Bedian Canal (BRB Canal), causing irretrievable losses, both in terms of men and material.
As the month began, war clouds began to gather on the Indo-Pak border. Recognizing the threat posed by the enemy, Division, responsible for the Kasur Sector, established a network of well-armed and self-contained posts near the border to provide early warning and counter India's malicious intentions.
The responsibility to face the enemy in the Ganda Singh Wala border area was entrusted to a Brigade of 11 Division. A Punjab Battalion was placed at the center of the attacking force. Soon after sunset, at ‘H’ hour, the attacking force launched a surprise assault on the heavily fortified Indian defensive positions, effectively taking the initiative away from the enemy.
The enemy’s nonstop artillery could not obstruct the valiant Pakistan Army Troops. As the intense battle raged on, Lieutenant Colonel Ghulam Hussain, the Commanding Officer noticed that his unit’s movement was slower than expected. Therefore, he left his command post to assess the situation.

Hardly had he taken a few steps when, tragically, he was struck by a stray bullet and embraced shahadat. He was awarded the Hilal-i-Jurrat (HJ). At the same time, Major Hanif was hit in the chest and fell to the roadside. Known for his ever-present smile, he remained a symbol of courage. Meanwhile, Captain Aftab also lay on the road, but his right hand remained firmly on the gun trigger.
I, Captain Muhammad Siddique, was assigned the duty of reporting any unusual events that went against the orders of the Brigade Command, Division Headquarters (HQ), and HQ Division Artillery. I was to communicate personally via wireless to all concerned. Three operators from the Signal Battalion accompanied me. It was a heavy burden carrying the wireless set for the last 12 hours, but the Brigade Command had ordered me to stay near him and not leave his side. He was pushing the troops forward along the assault wave, moving with the first wave of troops. History was being made.

Suddenly, there was a massive explosion. I received a message that the bridge on the BRB canal had been blown up and the enemy forces were retreating, abandoning their fortified trenches. Sporadic small arms fire continued from the enemy, supported by relentless artillery fire.
As the morning light began to break, our troops had cleared most of the enemy's abandoned posts. New positions were being dug and occupied to prepare for any unfavorable situation. The Brigade staff also joined the Brigade Command, and together they began recognizing the Shuhada. Brigade Command ordered that the units be informed to respectfully place all the bodies for further disposal. Meanwhile, reinforcements arrived to occupy the defensive positions and relieve the units who had fought the previous night and demolished the enemy’s strength.
• Al Mizan to Zarb-e-Azb. Since the beginning of the Global War on Terror (GWOT), the Pakistan Army has been engaged in a unique and ongoing conflict, which has become the longest and deadliest war in its history. Al Mizan was the first major operation launched by the Army in 2002. Since then, the Army has undertaken a number of operations to rid the country of the scourge of Kharijites, including Rah-e-Haq, Rah-e-Rast, Zalzala, Sherdil, Rah-e-Nijat, Koh-e-Sufaid, and later, operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad. This war has been the deadliest in terms of human sacrifices and material losses, including the strategic assets of the Navy and Air Force. Its nature is extremely complicated, as the Kharijites claim to wage war in the name of religion while aligning themselves with corrupt, criminal, anti-state elements, and sectarian outfits for their own vested interests. This dangerous alliance is fully exploited, abetted, and supported by foreign powers seeking to weaken Pakistan. Despite the gravity of the situation, the country has neither officially declared war nor declared an emergency, and other state institutions do not seem to be in a state of war.
The Sindh Regiment has made valuable contributions to the GWOT. With the exception of two newly raised battalions, all other 31 units of the Sindh Regiment have been deployed in operational areas and undertaken active military operations against terrorists. Of these, 12 units have served two tenures, while one battalion, 21 Sindh, is currently on its third tenure in the war zone. The officers and men of these units deserve credit for not only meeting expectations but also going beyond the call of duty to earn further laurels. The army and the regiment are proud of their professional competence, courage, and dedication. A brief account of the Sindh units' participation in this longest war against the scourge of Kharijites is provided in the following paragraphs. For the sake of brevity, only the key highlights are covered here.

• Low-Intensity Conflict Operations: Regimental Centre-trained soldiers have played a crucial role in counterinsurgency operations against terrorist groups operating within Pakistan. They have conducted search and counter operations, established security checkposts, and participated in intelligence-driven raids to root out terrorists from their hideouts. These soldiers have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of asymmetric threats, often operating in challenging terrain and hostile environments.

• Gallantry Actions of Shuhada/Ghazis: Shuhada from Sindh Regimental Centre have been awarded numerous gallantry awards, including the Nishan-i-Haider, Hilal-i-Shuja’at, Sitara-i-Jura’at, Tamgha-i-Jura’at, Tamgha-i-Shuja’at, and Tamgha-i-Basalat, for their acts of bravery and selflessness. Many of these soldiers sacrificed their lives while valiantly defending their posts, rescuing their comrades, or carrying out daring assaults against enemy positions. Their courage and sacrifices serve as an inspiration to future generations of soldiers and reflect the highest ideals of military service and devotion to duty.
Citation PA–33612 Captain Karnal Sher Khan (Shaheed) Nishan-i-Haider: PA-33612 Captain Karnal Sher Khan (Shaheed), Nishan-i-Haider, emerged as a unique symbol of bravery, valor, and courage during the Kargil Conflict. He set examples of unmatched bravery along the Line of Control (LOC) in the Gultari Sector. On the Forward Defended Localities, the personal character of military leadership displayed by him became a source of immense inspiration for those under his command. Prior to the Kargil Conflict, Captain Karnal Sher Khan, Nishan-i-Haider (NH), established five posts on snow-covered peaks of Gultari at a height of fifteen to seventeen thousand feet. He played a pivotal role in defending sensitive localities. As a result, the posts established by Captain Karnal Sher Khan, Nishan-i-Haider, shattered every dream of the enemy. On the night of June 7-8, 1999, an enemy battalion tried to infiltrate behind his post. Captain Karnal Sher Khan (NH) correctly visualized the enemy's action and displayed true grit and courage. He effectively trapped the enemy and inflicted heavy casualties on them.
On June 8, 1999, when the enemy was preparing for an attack, the foresightedness of this brave soul grasped the fact that the enemy was hiding behind the hills, waiting for reinforcements. He hurriedly took a section-sized fighting patrol and set up an unpredictable ambush, killing over forty enemy soldiers. He brought his patrol back safe and sound. The enemy launched a multi-directional attack with the strength of two battalions on July 5, 1999. With continuous artillery support, the enemy was able to capture a portion of the post. Despite the heavy odds, but in true military spirit, Captain Karnal Sher Khan (NH) launched a swift counterattack with just a handful of troops and recaptured the area. During this attack, Captain Karnal Sher Khan (NH) sustained severe injuries from enemy machine gun fire and ultimately embraced Shahadat. His act of gallantry became his identity. He was a lion by name, and he proved to be selflessly devoted to the cause of his motherland. He was awarded Pakistan’s highest military award, the “Nishan-i-Haider.”

PA-46388 Captain (Now Major) Jamal Bin Ijaz (Tamgha-i-Basalat): The officer was serving in the 14^th Battalion, the Sindh Regiment, as Adjutant. On the night of December 15-16, 2012, terrorists launched a multi-directional attack against Peshawar Airport and Air Base. The terrorists' attempt was successfully foiled due to on-the-spot resistance and timely action by the units of ex-102 Brigade. However, a few terrorists managed to flee from the site and hide in the village of Pawakai, located in the suburbs of Peshawar Airport. At 1100 hours on December 16, 2012, based on a tip-off, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of ex-14 Sindh Regiment was ordered to reach the site where a few terrorists were hiding in the scattered built-up area. Captain Jamal, who was performing the duties of Adjutant and had remained on duty throughout the previous night for the clearance of Pakistan Air Force Base Peshawar Cantt, volunteered for the task. He organized the party and swiftly reached the intended point of application. He led fearlessly and remained a source of motivation for his unit. The success of the operation was attributable to his professional competence and vibrant leadership. In recognition of his unmatched sense of responsibility, dedication, devotion to the cause, and bravery, he was bestowed with the “Tamgha-i-Basalat.”
The Sindh Regimental Centre is an indispensable institution within the Pakistan Army, serving as the cradle of its strength, unity, and identity. Through recruit training and cultural preservation efforts, the Sindh Centre plays a vital role in shaping the character and effectiveness of the army, ensuring that it remains a formidable force capable of defending the nation’s interests at home and abroad.