Punjab Boundary Force

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The Punjab Boundary Force was an ad hoc military force to restore law and order during the communal carnages of the

4th Indian Division and commanded by Maj Gen T.W. Rees. The force was unable to execute its task successfully and it was disbanded so that the newly formed dominion armies of India and Pakistan could take charge of the situation.[1]

Composition

The Force had approximately 15 Indian and 10 Pakistani battalions, and comprised

123rd Indian Infantry Brigade
, were attached to the Force.

Formation and disbandment

The Boundary Force was established on July 17, 1947, with its headquarters at Lahore. It became operational on August 1, 1947, but was disbanded on September 1 because of its ineffectiveness in controlling the riots breaking out in consequence of Partition.

Maj Gen Rees was provided Brig D.S. Brar and

Brig K.S. Thimayya (India) and Brig Nazir Ahmed (Pakistan) as "Alternate Military Advisors". However, Gen Rees refused to heed advice from his advisors, which led to his being criticised; he rebuked Thimayya that he was not going to take advice from him being ten years his senior.[1]: 106–107  In addition, Rees was criticised by politicians from both sides.[3]
: 372 

In the 25 August meeting of the Joint Defence Council at Lahore, Gen Rees stated that the Boundary Force was fatigued and their mood explosive. The British officers, he said, had done their best and the situation was beyond salvation. He further recommended that the two dominions now take responsibility for the security of refugees on their respective sides of the border.

K. S. Thimayya
reportedly took over command of the Boundary Force.

References

  1. ^ . Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  2. ^ Ravi Rikhye and Mandeep Bajwa, 4th Infantry Division: An Outline History Archived 14 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, V3.0, March 25, 2008, www.orbat.com (Centre for Indian Military History), accessed August 1, 2010
  3. .

External links