The Charging 24th Cavalry Regiment (Frontier Force) was raised on 7 June 1962. It was one of the regiments raised after independence to meet Pakistan’s growing defence needs. The officer selected to raise and command to the new unit was Lt Col Muhammad Afzal Khan. 24 Cavalry has the honor of using tanks for the first time in any battle against enemy.
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When 24 Cavalry was raised, the bulk of men and equipment came from 11 Cavalry. 12 Cavalry and 15 Lancers also gave some weapons. A variety of battle functions were allotted to the regiment. These included attack or counter attack under hostile fire; destruction of enemy armour by fire; support to infantry and other units by use of direct or indirect fire, manoeuvre and shock action; exploitation after breakthrough; delaying action in a mobile battle; and deep penetration in rear areas.
The Regiment went out for its first collective training in December 1962. The Commandant gave out his training objectives for the first collective training period as follows:-
The collective training had shown that the regiment had been converted into a well knit team. Equipment too had been tested to give the regiments preparedness for war the finishing touches. So the Commandant decided to take the regiment to the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Ranges. Accordingly the regiment went to ranges in January 1963. It was a very successful firing exercise and there was not a single accident during the whole exercise.
The Sharman tanks were in use of 24 Cavalry till 1963. In March 1964, the unit got the first complement of M 48 (Patton) tanks.
In April 1965, 24 cavalry got its first opportunity to put its high standard of professional training and efficiency to the test of combat and prove itself in the battle field. There was an order on Apr 17 to make a manoeuvre of over 800 miles towards Pakistan’s south border in the Rann of Kutch and to conduct the first ever tactical manoeuvre and tank assault in the history of the Pakistan Army. April 26, 1965 will always remain significant day in the history of the Pakistan Armoured Corps as it was on this day that A Squadron of 24 Cavalry mounted a tank attack on territory in occupation of India. It was the first attack of its kind since Independence on a heavily defended enemy position called Biar Bet and captured it after a grim battle in which its officers and men showed unusual gallantry. While stationed at Lahore under Headquarters 10 Division, the regiment detached A Squadron for deployment under Headquarters 8 Division in Chhor Sector. Later, A Squadron along with 2 FF, under command 6 Brigade, attacked and captured Biar Bet.
The unit was under command 1 Armoured Division at Raiwind. As part of 5 Armoured Brigade, it took part in operations across Rohi Nullah in Kasur Sector. In this operation by significant personal gallantry, Major Khadim Hussain destroyed three enemy tanks with an abandoned recoilless rifle and was awarded with Sitara-i-Jurat.
The regiment moved out for collective training on 31 Oct 1966. This training was concentrated as usual at the troop level. Iranian Army Officers visited the regiment in training area on 7 Nov 1966 and were visibly impressed by the high standard of operational readiness displayed by all ranks. A demonstration was also given to Staff College students at Ranges on 22 Nov 1966. This process of exercises continued and built up to regimental exercise.
The major event that the regiment participated in early 1968 was the Pakistan Day Parade. The RHQ and A Squadron participated in the Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade as a mechanized column from Armoured Corps. The turn out and formation of the regiment was commended by all spectators and the mechanized column was one of the most impressive spectacles of the parade.
| Serial no | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lt Col Muhammad Afzal Khan |
| 2 | Maj Bashir Ahmed |
| 3 | Maj Abdul Raziq Beg |
| 4 | Capt Saghir Hussain Syed |
| 5 | Capt Sami Ud Din Ahmed |
| 6 | Capt Shamim Alam Khan |
| 7 | Capt Muhammad Saeed |
| 8 | Capt Muhammad Khalequzzaman Chawdhury |
| 9 | Lt Mehboob Alam Khan |
| 10 | Lt Basit Ali Khan |
"We shall live and die for the glory of Pakistan"