"[3] During the Second Afghan War of 1878–80, “Five hundred men of the State Infantry and 100 sowars were stationed at Dera Ghazi Khan and did useful service in strengthening the frontier posts vacated by regular regiments.”[3] In 1889, Bahawalpur State Forces were accepted as Imperial Service Troops, and a small force of cavalry and infantry was placed at the disposal of the British for use in emergencies.

The detachment of Bahawalpur Mounted Rifles took part in reconnaissance of the Turkish advance and then pursuit of the retreating Turks after their attack was repulsed.

During the Third Afghan War of 1919, Bahawalpur Mounted Rifles and Camel Transport Corps operated in the Zhob Valley in Baluchistan.

In 1921, Bahawalpur joined the Indian State Forces Scheme, placing its two infantry battalions at the disposal of the Government of India.

The Bahawalpur Infantry was mostly composed of Pashtuns from Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Lakki Marwat.

In March 1941, the 1st Bahawalpur Infantry (Sadiq Battalion) was dispatched to Malaya in anticipation of impending hostilities with Japan.

Captain Mahmood Khan Durrani was awarded the George Cross for displaying outstanding courage, loyalty and fortitude during the harsh and brutal Japanese captivity.

Officers' winter mess kit was of French grey cloth with black cuffs and facings, and blue overalls.

Cap badge of gilding metal consisted of a pelican surmounted by a star and crescent, the whole surrounded by a date palm wreath, with a scroll below, inscribed 'Bahawalpur Regiment'.

The new line up of Bahawalpur Infantry with its supporting artillery regiment was:[2] Suez Canal, Egypt 1915-17, Gaza, Megiddo, Nablus, Palestine 1917–18, NW Frontier, India 1917, Baluchistan 1918, Johore, Singapore Island, Malaya 1941–42.