Formed in 1986 with its headquarters initially in Sialkot, it was later shifted to Gujranwala Cantonment. The XXX Corps is one of Pakistan's ten field corps and it is currently commanded by Lt-Gen. Syed Imdad Hussain Shah.[3]
Overview
Formation and war service
In 1985, the Army GHQ formed three field corps to improve the internal security in Balochistan and Punjab.[4] Originally, the XXX Corps was headquartered in Sialkot Cantonment, and took over the area of responsibility for the strategic areas of Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir (extending from Jhelum to Narowal) that was previously overseen by the I Corps.[2] With I Corps becoming part of the strategic army reserves, the XXX Corps was relocated and has now been headquartered in Gujranwala Cantonment since 1987.[5]
Thus, the XXX Corps was given the command of the formations that were detached from I Corps, which was then dedicated to offensive tasks.[6] The XXX Corps is known for its ability to conduct mechanized and the riverine operations.[1] Its mission parameters also included preventing the Indian Army's mechanized divisions from advancing into Pakistan to cut the vital Lahore-Karachi links— the North-South links.: 204–205 [7]
