11th Infantry Division (Pakistan)
| 11th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | July 1965 - Present |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Allegiance | PAK |
| Branch | Pakistan Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Division |
| Size | 20,000 men (though this may vary as units are rotated) |
| Part of | IV Corps |
| Division Headquarters | Lahore, Punjab province |
| Colours | Red over Black |
| Anniversaries | Defence Day |
| Engagements | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Battle of Lahore Battle of Khem Karan Battle of Husseinwala |
| Decorations | Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military |
| Commanders | |
| General Officer Commanding | Major General Rao Imran Sartaj |
| Colonel Staff | Colonel Babar |
| Notable commanders | General Raheel Sharif General Abdul Hamid Khan LTG Nadeem Taj Maj-Gen Bilal Omer Khan Maj-Gen Raza Muhammad Maj-Gen Azeem Asif LTG Shafaat Ullah Shah Maj-Gen Muhammad Ali Khan |
The 11th Infantry Division, or the Battle-Axe Divison is an active formation of the Pakistan Army. It is currently deployed under IV Corps and is responsible for the defence of Lahore and its surrounding areas.
The division was formed just before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Prior to this, the army chief at the time, General Muhammad Musa, had been calling for raising two new divisions; this was denied by the government citing a benign security environment, the lack of funds and the general reluctance of the US to fund new risings under the foreign military assistance scheme.
After the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the Indian army underwent a substantial increase in numbers and capability and, therefore, the Pakistani government reversed its position and the division was raised by utilising reserve GOC, Major General Abdul Hamid Khan. The Division was then assigned to the defence of Lahore.