The 111th Independent Infantry Brigade Group, commonly known as the 111th Brigade or Triple-1 Brigade, is an infantry brigade of the Pakistan Army notable for its frequent involvement and fast response in military coup d'etats since Pakistani independence. [2] From 11 January 2012 Brigadier Sarfraz Ali [3] commanded the Brigade. He succeeded Brigadier Faheem Rao who had earlier replaced Brigadier Asim Salim Bajwa.
The main task of the brigade is to provide security and protocol duties to the incoming dignitaries. In addition brigade is responsible (as a disguise) for the security of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan. [4] It presents guard of honor to distinguished guests of Pakistan. It had one of the three best military bands of the Pakistan Army along with those of Pakistan Military Academy and Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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The 111th Brigade is the most well-known Army brigade in Pakistani social, public, religious, and political circles. Since its creation, the 111th Brigade has been frequently used to overtake and topple civilian governments. The brigade's first involvement in toppling a government was when General Ayub Khan deposed the government of Pakistani President Major General (retired) Iskander Mirza. [5]
During the Battle of Chamb of 1971 war the Regiment played a significant role in the victory of the Pakistani army in battle, during the initial offensive commenced at 2020 hours on 3 December 1971, the 111 Brigade had to secure its part of the lodgement as it encountered enemy forces at moel, the 66 Brigade, however, accomplished its tasks in securing the Lodgement. The 111 brigade was intended to have captured Chamb by 5 December however it did not, despite the situation Major General Iftikhar Khan had commanded the Brigade to continue its objectives along with the 20 Brigade. Later on, once the 2 Armoured Regiment had captured Chamb the 111 Brigade would manage to secure a bridgehead across river Tawi after occupying the ferries of Darh and Raipur [6]
On July 4, 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq conducted a coup d'état against the government of then-Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The loyalty of the 111 Brigade Commander is crucial to subsequent military regimes. For instance, Zia's mistrust of Commander X Corps, Chishti led him to remove the commander, Brigadier Mohammad Khan, considered close to Chishti and replaced him with Brigadier Rahat Latif without Chishti's knowledge. [7]
The 111th Brigade is also responsible for the security of the prime minister's and president's house which makes it much easier for the army high command to execute coups against elected PMs. The brigade was also used by General Parvez Musharraf in thwarting the Sharif regime after Sharif tried to replace him with Ziauddin Butt. Lt. Generals Aziz and Mahmud reacted quickly after the government broadcast Musharraf's retirement on television. Mahmud reportedly ordered the 111-brigade commander, Brigadier Salahuddin Satti, to secure the prime minister's house. The 111 Brigade completed the coup after confining the prime minister and his aides to the PM house. Prime Minister Sharif was arrested and was later exiled to Saudi Arabia. [8]
The brigade's last participation was in Operation Silence, in which the heads of government-ordered military police, the Pakistan Army Rangers, and the 111th Brigade surround the Red Mosque complex. [9] Clashes between Aziz and Ghazi's followers and security forces quickly ensued, and the Islamists opened fire at the security personnel. The 111th Brigade assisted the Army Rangers and the special forces in completing the operation and in capturing high-value targets inside the complex. The brigade's participation in the Red Mosque situation led to a successful special military operation. When the Lawyers' Movement was launched, the Pakistani media speculated that the Zardari government would launch a psychological operation against the movement. [10] However, it was later decided by the Pakistani military leadership not to launch the operation.
In 2010, the 111th Brigade had taken over the control of Islamabad Capital Territory, and provided the intense and tight security for both the Chinese Premier and Pakistan's Prime minister. The brigade was deployed by the order of Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, and it had directly reported to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Jang News later cited that ISI had learnt that unnamed neighboring country has planned to sabotage the Chinese Premier's state visit to Pakistan. [11]
The brigade comprises the following elements: five infantry battalions (each from a different infantry regiment), an armoured regiment (battalion-sized), three artillery batteries, and a special forces battalion.[ citation needed ]
The brigade is operationally responsible to be corps reserve for Kharian-based corps during war/national crisis. Since the brigade is composed of selected talented soldiers, therefore, it often wins most of the peacetime sports and training events. The brigade is the winner of sports events of the training year 2014 and 2015. [ citation needed ]
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