This is a brief history of the 19th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment - PIFFER Tigers of the Pakistan Army. The tribute is unofficial and without affiliation to any Government body.

1. 19th “Shakar Garh” Battalion Frontier Force
PIFFER Tigers
Unofficial Tribute to PIFFER Tigers
No affiliation with the Government of Pakistan

2. Brief History
• The battalion was raised on 26th September, 1965 in Abbotabad, Pakistan
with Lt. Col. Muhammad Ayub Afridi as its first commandant.
• After serving on the front lines in the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the battalion
moved to Bannu where it stayed until 1968.
• It was later moved to Dacca, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) to conduct
internal security martial law duties in Dacca city.
• After the devastating floods in 1969, 19th Battalion carried out relief
operations and rescued 4,900 victims.

3. Brief History
• As a result of its outstanding performance, the battalion was awarded the
Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam and the Commander in Chief’s Commendation
Card.
• 19th Frontier Battalion earned its name of “PIFFER Tigers” in 1969 when it
became the first Nationally integrated unit with the induction of 25%
Bengali officers. Tigers are commonly associated with Bengal.
• Sahibzada Yaquob Khan used the term in his speech during the induction
ceremony which led to the formal naming of the battalion as ‘PIFFER
Tigers”

4. 1967: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

5. 1967: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

6. c. 1970s: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

7. c. 1970s: Officers of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment

8. Gallantry at Shakar Garh
• Under the command of Lt. Col. Shafique Ahmed (Sitara-e-Jurat), 19th
Frontier Force Battalion guarded Shakar Garh City from a massive
onslaught by Indian armed forces.
• Shakar Garh was the site of one of the most intense battles after World
War II.
• It was strategically vital to both India and Pakistan.
• The battalion reversed Indian army gains, capturing their posts, and seizing
a large cache of ammunition left by fleeing Indian army soldiers.
• The Battalion also captured the largest number of enemy combatants
during the 1971 War.

9. c. 1972: PIFFER Tigers with Indian ammunition seized in Shakar Garh

10. Battalion Accomplishments
The 19th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment was responsible for
inflicting heavy losses on Indian Armed Forces.
Enemy Casualties: 53 from 3/9 Gorkha Regiment and 4 Grenadiers (Indian
army)
Prisoners of war: 79 (including 3 officers and 3 Junior Commissioned
Officers)
Wounded: over 200

11. 1974: Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade

12. Heroes of the 19th Battalion Frontier Force
Martyrs: 21 (including one officer)
Wounded: 32 (including 2 officers and 2 Junior Commissioned Officers)
Battalion’s Heroes:
• Major Muhammad Afzal (Shaheed)
• Captain Faryad Ali Rana (Shaheed)
• L/N Suleman Sarkar (Shaheed) - Killed 14 enemy combatants

13. Battalion Commandants
1. Lt. Col. Muhammad Ayub Afridi
2. Lt. Col. Ahmed Fuad
3. Lt. Col. R.D. Shamim
4. Lt. Col. Mumtaz Gul
5. Brig Syed Akbar Hussain
6. Lt. Col. Khalid Manzur
7. Lt. Col. Sanjaf Khan
8. Lt. Col. Mahmud Azam
9. Lt. Col. Shafiq Ahmed
10.Lt. Col. Hamid Mahmood

14. 6 Commandants of the 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment.

15. c. 1980s: Officers and JCOs of 19th Frontier Force with General Muhammad Iqbal Khan.

16. The 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment received the battle honour of
“Shakargarh 1971”