The Frontier Force Regiment (popularly known as the "Piffers" or the "FF") is one of six infantry regiments of the Pakistan Army. At present, the regiment consists of 67 battalions and has its regimental depot at Abbottabad in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For that reason Abbottabad is also known as the "Home of Piffers". Currently the regiment includes both mechanised and motorised infantry battalions. There are also some armoured and artillery battalions which were raised from the strength of the Frontier Force or one of its predecessor regiments.
The Frontier Force Regiment is Pakistan's third oldest regiment after the Punjab and Baloch. The regiment was raised in 1957 through the amalgamation of three Pakistan Army regiments, all with their origins in two regiments which had been transferred to Pakistan from the British Indian Army at the time of the partition of India in 1947. These two regiments were the Frontier Force Regiment and the Frontier Force Rifles. The third component, the Pathan Regiment, had been raised after partition from elements of the former two. The merger took place when a major reorganisation of regiments was carried out in the Pakistan Army.
The FF battalions have fought in several wars along Pakistan's borders. They have also served overseas, having been deployed to Saudi Arabia, and also to Somalia as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force. In Somalia, some of the Piffer battalions participated in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, which earned them many awards, including two Nishan-e-Haiders, the highest Pakistani gallantry decoration.
The battalions are divided under independent formations and are commanded by their formation commander. Training and record keeping is undertaken by the regimental depot, which is usually commanded by a brigadier. The regiment's highest-ranking officer is given the honorary title of "Colonel Commandant" and "Colonel-in-Chief", if the highest-ranking officer is the Chief of Army Staff.
Read more about Frontier Force Regiment: Origins, Composition, Headquarters, Kashmir Dispute, Battle Honours, Motto and Colours, Alliances
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