Pakistan Rangers

Pakistan Rangers
Founded 14 August 1947
Country Pakistan
Type Paramilitary
Size 100,000 active troops[1]
Part of Paramilitary forces of Pakistan
Headquarters Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore
Motto(s) Daim's Sahir'n "Ever Ready"
Colour red and blue
        
Commanders
Director General, Punjab Major-General Umar Farooq Burki,
Director General, Sindh Major-General Bilal Akbar
External video
Security tight in wake of blast ahead of Muharram (English).

The Pakistan Rangers (Urdu: پاکستان رےنجرز‎) is an umbrella term for the paramilitary Rangers of the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan, despite the fact that although these two organisations are federal agencies they operate at the provincial level under two distinct and separate chains of command. Rangers are formally supervised by Special Security Unit, National Crises Management Cell, Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan but very often they carry activities under the command and leadership of Pakistan Army, though not a part of it. The Rangers are a border security force with the prime objectives to guard, defend and secure borders in peace time as well as war time, provide and maintain security in war zones and areas of conflict, and maintain law and order which includes providing assistance to the police.

The Pakistan Rangers are two separate forces with the Punjab Rangers being headquartered in Lahore, Punjab, and the Sindh Rangers headquartered in Karachi, Sindh. The two forces maintain their different uniforms and chains of command but work under same ordinances, such as the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance 1959.

Each evening, Pakistan Rangers stationed near Lahore, together with their counterparts in the Indian Border Security Force, participate in a flag lowering ceremony at Wagah.

History

A shirt of the Pakistan Rangers uniform with titles

The origins and roots of Rangers dates back to 1942, when the British government established a special unit as the Sindh Police Rangers. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the protection of its eastern boundaries was allotted to particular forces, such as the Punjab Border Police Force, Bahawalpur State Police, Khairpur State Police and Sindh Rifles. Because the Rangers were neither correctly structured nor outfitted for a specific duty, in 1958, they were restructured and renamed as the West Pakistan Rangers. In 1972 following the Legal Framework Order No. 1970, the force was renamed from the West Pakistan Rangers to Pakistan Rangers and given under the control of Federal Government (Ministry of Defence). In 1974, it became part of the Civil Armed Force under the Ministry of Interior.

In late 1989, due to growing riots and worsening Law and Order situation in Sindh, a new force was raised for a strategic anti-dacoit operation in the interior of Sindh. The force operated under the name of Mehran Force and included the then existing Sindh Rangers, 3 Battalions of Pakistan Army (inc. SSG), Northern Scouts. It was this force constitution that eventually became the modern day Sindh Rangers. Mehran force was under the direct command of Director General Pakistan Rangers with its nucleus Headquarters in Karachi. Laterly Federal Government decided to substantially increase the strength of Rangers and the raising of separate Headquarters for Pakistan Rangers in Sindh. Consequently, 1 July 1995 Pakistan Rangers was bifurcated into two separate branches Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Mehran Force and other Corps of Pakistan Rangers operated in the province of Sindh formed part of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh). Both branches area of responsibility is divided by provinces, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) is primarily responsible for guarding 1300 km Eastern Border of Province of Punjab., Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Defend Eastern Border with India in Sindh province, approximately 912 kilometres. The Force is governed by Rangers Ordinance 1959

War performances

The Rangers had fought together with the Pakistan Army in several conflicts, namely the 1965 Indo-Pak war and 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.[2] After the 1971 war, the force was federalised underneath the Ministry of Defence as the Pakistan Rangers, and, shortly in 1974, it was made a component of the Civil Armed Forces (CAF) under the Ministry of Interior. Pakistan Rangers guard the borders during peace and war. In 1995, the Mehran Force was merged into the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh). The Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) are credited for providing the Pakistan Army troops for Special Police Units in Kosovo and Haiti Peace mission every year.

These troops are entrusted with the task to provide protection and security to UN officials, provide operational and backup support, respond to threats to public order in co-ordination with the Kosovo administration, and assist humanitarian agencies.[3] The Rangers also had participated in numerous special military operations along with Pakistan Army Special Forces branch in the past. Since their revitalisation and re-building after the 1971 war, the Rangers have been involved in the numerous special military operations in Pakistan. The Rangers have also assisted the Army's Special Service Group in performing special operations. They first participated in 1973, when they, based on the intelligence reports, had successfully accompanied the SSGs to raid the Iraqi Embassy. In 1992, the Rangers were deployed to Karachi, and the Government of Sindh had used Rangers to keep peace in the city. The Rangers had also participated in Operation Blue Fox in 1992 along with the Army. Due to their close association with the Army, the Rangers also fought in Indo-Pakistani War of 1999 (Best known as Kargil War) deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the fact of it being a paramilitary force, the Government of Pakistan had recognised the Rangers as its one its special forces in 2004. The Rangers were among one of the special forces that participated in Operation Silence and accompanied Army Commandos in the operation. During the operation, the Rangers suffered a single casualty.[4] In 2009, Rangers completed a special military operation in Lahore alongside the Special Service Group, when terrorists attacked the Manawan Police Academy. While it was led by the Pakistan Rangers, the operation, codenamed Lahore Police Academy Operation, ended with eight militant deaths with one captured.[5] The same year, the Government of Pakistan deployed the Rangers to secure the outskirts of Islamabad when Taliban forces had taken over the Buner, Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla districts. Its members also participated in Operation Black Thunderstorm while securing the capital.[6]

Leadership

Pakistan Rangers is a paramilitary Border Security Force which comes under control of Federal Interior Ministry for Internal Security duties and work under umbrella of Corps V in Sindh and IV Corps in Punjab for duties in war zones and borders. Pakistan Rangers are divided into two separate branches: Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and Pakistan Rangers (Punjab). Each branch is headed by a Director General appointed by the Pakistan Army after the clearance from the Chief of Army Staff. The Director General of the Pakistan Rangers currently holds the 2-star rank of Major-General. The current Director General of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) is Major General Bilal Akbar,[7] whereas Director General of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) is Major General Farooq Berki, ([8]).

The equivalent paramilitary force in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is called the Frontier Corps (FC), each province with its own FC unit.

Role

Punjab Ranger guarding the Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal in Iqbal Park, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

One prime objective of the Rangers is to safeguard the eastern borders of Pakistan with India which with the Sindh province, shares approximately 912 kilometres and in the Punjab Province approximately shares 1200 kilometres. The Rangers are also responsible for maintaining internal security in Pakistan and a major law enforcement organisation in the country. Despite this, they are not privileged with the power to arrest like the police except in desperate but rare time eras, when the state temporarily sanctions them with such a power. Their primary objective as an internal security force is to prevent crime by taking preventive security measures, disable organised criminals and thwart organised crime. All suspects apprehended by Rangers are later handed over to police for further investigation and possible prosecution except for the rare instances when Rangers are legally empowered by the state to arrest and detain suspects. The same privileges are also temporarily granted by the government to other security organisations such as the Frontier Corps for the same reasons.

The Rangers are also tasked with securing important monuments and guarding national assets in all major cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad.

In the past, they have also served as prison guards for high-profile terrorists until they were withdrawn from such duties.[9]

The Rangers have notably contributed towards maintaining law and order in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore in major crises. The Sindh Rangers consist of approximately 25,000 persons whereas almost half of the total force is deployed to Karachi. Due to the unstable situation in Pakistan, the Rangers have become extremely necessary to maintain law and order in all major cities.

Organization

Like the police of Pakistan, the Rangers collectively function as provincial organisations independent of one another: The Sindh Rangers of the province of Sindh and the Punjab Rangers belonging to the province of Punjab.

Sindh Rangers requested Supreme Court of Pakistan to allow paramilitary force to establish its own Police stations.[10]

Rangers Anti-Terrorist (RAT) Wing

The Rangers Anti-Terrorist wing has been active since early 2004. It is same like army SSG .They are trained by Zarrar Company of Special Services Group (SSG) of the Pakistani Army. This company also participated in a recent exercise with UK Special Air Service operators and US Army Rangers.

Training and selection

The selection for rangers lasts 2–3 weeks. Both male and females can join the Rangers and an applicant must be between 18–25 years old for Punjab Rangers and 18 to 30 years old for Sindh Rangers. To apply for the Rangers, the applicant must passed F.A or F.Sc. (an equivalent to US matriculation system) from a government-registered college. An applicant must hold Pakistani citizenship to join the Force. The Rangers can be deployed at any place either in Pakistan or abroad, according to the Rangers Act of 1959.[11]

In spite of its role as paramilitary, the Rangers have been recognised by Government of Pakistan as one of its special forces.

Appointments

External video
A Sindh Rangers shooting range.

Although the Pakistan Rangers are under the administration of the Interior ministry, key positions in the force, including Director-General of the Rangers, are headed by the members Pakistan Army. The Director General of the Pakistan Rangers is appointed by Pakistan Army's Generals Headquarters (GHQ). The majority of the officers are departmental officers who get promotion from the rank of Sub Inspector.

The rank structure of OR's, NCO's, JCO'S of the force is:-

Sepoy equal to Sepoy

Lance Naik equal to Lance Naik

Naik equal to Naik

Havaldar equal to Havaldar

Inspectors who get promoted from OR's Ranks are equal to Army JCO's:-

Ranker Sub Inspector, Inspector and Senior Ranger Inspector(SRI) Ranks are Equal to Naib Subedar, Subedar, Subedar Major.Direct entry Sub inspectors/ranker sub inspectors can maximum reach to the rank of SSR(Senior superintendent of Rangers EQUAL To lieutenant colonel).

Flag lowering ceremony

Punjab Rangers at the Wagah border

Wagah, the only road border crossing between Pakistan and India, is the site of a flag lowering ceremony each evening. During the ceremony, Pakistani Rangers and their counterparts in the Indian Border Security Force carry out a drill in which they mirror each other's drill with high kicking steps, foot stamping and aggressive stares. Despite the outward display of aggression, the drill of both sides actually requires a high degree of co-operation.

The ceremony is attended by numerous spectators from both nations, as well as foreign tourists.

Standard equipment

The formal headwear of the Rangers are somewhat similar to the ones worn by the Frontier Corps.

Notable officers

BG Shaukat Ali Raja was in command in a post where a LG usually is in charge. As a result, MG would have to salute his motorcade. The only BG to ever be in command to date of the Punjab Rangers located in Lahore.

Role of peace maintenance in Karachi

A Sindh Rangers commando on duty at the seashore in Karachi.

While kidnapping for ransom, extortion, threats to the business community were common in Karachi and industrialists were shifting their investment in Bangladesh and other countries, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani took the notice of dire situation and on request of government and business community, the Rangers were deployed with special powers.[13] The Rangers played a crucial role in maintaining peace and curbed law offenders without any discrimination and consideration of political affiliation. Business community in particular and masses in general took sight of relief and lauded the role of rangers in Sindh. Director General Rangers Sindh Lt.General Ejaz Chaudry visited Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 17 November 2011, on this occasion business community unanimously acclaimed the rangers role in maintaining peace in the city and demanded extension in its stay with special orders for another one year.[14]

US General Vincent R. Stewart praised the anti-insurgency operations in the western areas of Pakistan by the Pakistan military. He also praised the Karachi operations by the Rangers, arguing they all helped reduce violence in the country.[15]

Foreign peacekeeping missions for the United Nations

The Pakistan Rangers have also been involved in international peacekeeping operations for the United Nations (UN) in a number of countries such as Kosovo, Haiti and others.[16][17]

Notable operations, incidents and controversies

External video
Sindh Rangers engaged in an anti-criminal operation that turned deadly.

Mass communication

Pakistan Rangers Sindh is starting its own radio show in Karachi known as "Rangers Hour" on FM 101 intended to communicate with the people of the metropolis; earlier to this such radio service was also established by Sindh Police on FM88.6 . Before this Sindh Rangers also established a 24hours helpline 1101 for the people to report any crime information in the metropolis.[23]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pakistan Intelligence, security Activities and Operations Handbook, Int'l Business Publications, 2011 Edition, pp. 131, ISBN 0-7397-1194-6
  2. ↑ Pakistan Army. "Pakistan Army Rangers (Punjab)". Pakistan Army Press Publications. ISPR.
  3. ↑ Pakistan Rangers (Sindh). "United Nations Peace Mission". Pakistan Army. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
  4. ↑ Lal Masjid. "102 killed in Lal Masjid operation, Sherpao". Geo Tv.
  5. ↑ "How Pakistan academy attack started". BBC News. 30 March 2009.
  6. ↑ Bill Roggio (24 April 2009). "Rangers deployed to secure Islamabad outskirts". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) : Official Web Portal". Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Dawn news 19 March 2015
  9. ↑ "Punjab withdraws Rangers from guard duties". Mohammed Asghar. Dawn News.
  10. ↑ "Sindh Rangers want to set up its own 'police stations' in Karachi". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Pakistan Jobs – Pakistan New Job Vacancies.". Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "First Sikh youth completes training as Pakistan Rangers officer. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  13. ↑ "Dunya News: Pakistan:- Rangers get special powers in Karachi ...". Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Nisar lauds Sindh Rangers' role in Karachi operation". The Nation. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "Pakistan Military operations helped reduce violence in Pakistan: US defence intel chief". The Express Tribune.
  16. ↑ "Welcome to Pakistan Rangers (Punjab)". Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Pakistan Rangers on UN peacekeeping mission". The News International, Pakistan. 29 February 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  18. ↑ Nelson, Dean (10 June 2011). "Pakistani soldiers arrested after TV footage shows them shooting unarmed man". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  19. ↑ AFP. "One Rangers personnel sentenced to death for Sarfaraz killing". Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  20. ↑ "Rangers raid MQM HQ in Karachi, detain member of Rabita Committee".
  21. ↑ "One dead, several injured as Rangers raid MQM headquarters". The Express Tribune. 11 March 2015.
  22. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/02/pakistan-international-airlines-workers-killed-protest-karachi-flights-suspended
  23. ↑ "The new voice on Radio: Rangers". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 13 July 2016.

External links

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