52nd Sikhs (1905)

This photograph, captured in Kohat in 1905, shows British Indian Officers 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force). This was an infantry regiment raised in 1846. It was designated as the 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force) in 1903 and became 2nd Battalion (Sikhs) 12th Frontier Force Regiment in 1922. In 1947, it was allocated to the Pakistan Army, where it continues to exist as 4th Battalion The Frontier Force Regiment.
During the Second World War, they fought with distinction in the Malayan Campaign, where Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Edward Cumming, was awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding valour. The battalion was captured by the Japanese after British surrender in Singapore in February 1942. It was re-raised in 1946.
In 1947, the Frontier Force Regiment was allotted to Pakistan Army. The regiment was back in action in 1948 and in 1956, the Frontier Force Rifles and the Pathan Regiment were merged with the Frontier Force Regiment, and 2 FF was re-designated as 4 FF. During the 1965 war, the battalion fought in the Sialkot Sector and in 1971, it fought with great courage in the Battle of Hilli in East Pakistan. For exceptional valour, Major Muhammad Akram and Major Shabbir Sharif were awarded the Nishan-i-Haider, Pakistan’s highest gallantry award.