The brigades of 12th Division are deployed all across Azad Jammu Kashmir and the Line of Control.

[citation needed] The division was formed in 1948, from troops allocated to Pakistan from the old British Indian Army.

A notable action was the recapturing of Skardu from the Indian forces, accomplished with help from tribesmen from the tribal areas.

In 1965 the division undertook Operation Grand Slam, whereby under the command of 7th Infantry Division, it attacked and captured Chamb, and then moved on and captured territory beyond the river Tawi, ending up in a position 6 km ahead of Jammu.

Although its performance was greatly lauded at the time, its commander Maj-Gen Akhtar Hussain Malik was privately criticised by General Ayub Khan, 5 km from LoC Indian forces, attack Haji Peer Pass and Pakistan force attack and capture Rajouri sector three months (this would not be retaken until after the ceasefire).