Kurram Militia
| Kurram Militia | |
|---|---|
Watercolour of a member of the Kurram Militia by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett, 1910.
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| Active | 1892–present |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Branch | Frontier Corps |
| Type | Paramilitary force |
| Role | Law enforcement/Border patrol |
| Size | c. 3,500 |
| Regimental colours | Black flag with unit crest |
| Engagements | |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Crest | Crossed Turi knives with the letter "KM" superimposed |
The Kurram Militia is a unit of the Frontier Corps of the paramilitary forces of Pakistan. It was originally raised by the British in 1892 to operate in the North-West Frontier Province, and carried in that role following Pakistan's independence in 1947.
British troops of the Kurram Valley Field Force, under the command of Colonel Frederick Roberts, first entered the Kurram Valley in 1878, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, to mount operations against the Afghans. Although the purpose of this expedition was not the permanent occupation of the valley, the British soon realized the necessity and importance of holding it. General Henry Rawlinson noted:
Some years later the Turis (a major tribe in the valley) found themselves under attack from the Lower Kurram by Bangash and Zaimukht tribesmen, and also threatened by the Afghans, and so requested British help. Sir Olaf Caroe wrote:
The British military historian Charles à Court Repington wrote:
In October 1892, in order to defend the area, the British created the Turi Militia, recruited from the local inhabitants. It was initially based at Balish Khel near Sadda, but within a few months the unit's headquarters were moved to Parachinar, and it was renamed the Kurram Militia. The militia was originally divided into two parts: the 1st Battalion as a mobile column, while the 2nd Battalion garrisoned the valley. This proved impracticable, and in 1902 the two battalions were amalgamated under a single commander, and organized into two wings, each of three companies. In 1894 the total strength of the militia was 948, and by 1905 it had increased to 1,475.
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