Iftikhar Khan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mohammad Iftikhar Khan
محمد افتخار خان
Official military portrait
GOC 10th Infantry Division Lahore
In office 1 January 1948 – 13 December 1949
Commanding Officer 7th Light Cavalry to Occupation of Japan
In office 12 September 1946 – December 1946
2IC 45th Cavalry
In office 1945 – 11 September 1946
General Staff Officer Grade II Army Staff College
In office July 1943 – April 1944
General Staff Officer Grade II Ceylon Army Command Headquarters
In office January 1943 – July 1943
No.2 Indian Armoured Corps Training Center
In office 17 December 1941 – January 1943
Regimental Adjutant
In office 19 April 1938 – 5 August 1940
Regimental Quartermaster
In office 1 August 1937 – 18 April 1938
Personal details
Born	(1909-01-10)10 January 1909 Chakwal, Punjab Province (British India)
Died	13 December 1949(1949-12-13) (aged 40) Karo Jabal mountain, Sindh, Dominion of Pakistan
Cause of death	Pakair C-53 crash
Spouse	Begum Iftikhar
Relations	Muhammed Akbar Khan (brother) Muhammad Anwar Khan (brother) Muhammed Zafar Khan (brother) Masud Khan (brother)
Education	Royal Military College, Sandhurst Joint Services Staff Course (UK)
Nickname	Ifti
Military service
Allegiance	British India (1929-1947)  Pakistan (1947-1949)
Branch/service	British Indian Army (1929-1947)  Pakistan Army (1947-1949)
Years of service	1929–1949
Rank	Major General
Unit	2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (1929-1930) 7th Light Cavalry 3rd Cavalry
Commands	7th Light Cavalry 10th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War II Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

Major General Mohammad Iftikhar Khan (also known as Ifti) was a very important two-star general in the Pakistan Army. He was in charge of the 10th Division. Before British India was divided into India and Pakistan, he was an officer in the British Indian Army.

He was expected to become the top leader of the Pakistan Army, called the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army. Sadly, he died in a plane crash in 1949. His wife and baby daughter also died in the crash. Because of this tragedy, Ayub Khan became the Commander-in-Chief instead.

A close friend, Major General Pataudi, said that Iftikhar was worried about politics affecting army officers. He didn't trust politicians. Pataudi believed that if Iftikhar had lived, he would never have let the army be used for political reasons. He would not have used his power to take control through the army.

Early Life and Family

Iftikhar Khan was born on January 10, 1909. His family belonged to the Minhas Rajput group in Chakwal.

His Family

His father was Sardar Bahadur Raja Fazal Dad Khan. He was a Zamindar (a landowner) and had served in the British Indian Army.

Iftikhar had nine brothers and four sisters. Six of his brothers, including Iftikhar, joined the army. These included Major General Muhammed Akbar Khan and Major General Muhammad Anwar Khan. His other three brothers chose jobs outside the military.

About His Life

Iftikhar was married to Begum Iftikhar. She was a Parsi woman and known as the best woman horse rider in India.

His Personality

Major General Sher Ali Khan Pataudi remembered Iftikhar as a very smart and well-read person. He said Iftikhar was shy, and some people mistakenly thought he was proud.

Some officers, including Iftikhar, were seen as more "English" by the British. Syed Shahid Hamid said Iftikhar seemed "more English than the English themselves."

Major General Shaukat Riza described Iftikhar as a "handsome and forceful character." He said Iftikhar was never stopped by problems.

Lieutenant General Mohammad Yusuf remembered Iftikhar as a great horseman and a strict officer.

Major General A.O. Mitha, who started Pakistan's Special Service Group, said Iftikhar was a tough leader. He was known for being very demanding. However, he also allowed his team members to speak their minds.

Military Career

Iftikhar went to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. On August 29, 1929, he became a Second Lieutenant in the British Indian Army. For a year, he served with the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.

In the British Indian Army

On October 16, 1930, Khan joined the Indian Army and was sent to the 7th Light Cavalry. He became a Lieutenant on November 29, 1931.

Later, he moved to the 3rd Cavalry on October 1, 1932. This regiment was becoming more "Indianized," meaning more Indian officers were joining.

He was promoted to Captain on August 29, 1938. He worked as a Quartermaster (in charge of supplies) and then as an Adjutant (an administrative officer). In 1940, he became a Staff Captain.

From December 1941, Khan worked at the No. 2 Indian Armoured Corps Training Center. By January 1943, he was a General Staff Officer Grade 2 at the Ceylon Army Command Headquarters.

By July 1943, he was a Lieutenant Colonel and a General Staff Officer Grade 2 at the Command and Staff College, Quetta.

In 1945, he was a temporary Major and second-in-command of the 45th Cavalry. This unit was fighting in Burma. Later, he joined the 7th Light Cavalry in the same role.

He became a Major on August 29, 1946. He led the 7th Light Cavalry in Japan as part of the forces that helped occupy the country after World War II. This was from September to December 1946.

A Strong Stand

According to a letter from Major General I.R. Graeme, an event happened at a late-night gathering. General Moochu said he hoped British influence would always be strong in India. Iftikhar Khan strongly disagreed. He hit Moochu and declared, "Over my dead body." Moochu was then taken to bed. This shows Iftikhar's strong feelings about his country's independence.

Joining the Pakistan Army

When British India was divided in August 1947, Khan chose to join the new Pakistan Army. He was quickly promoted to Major General. On January 1, 1948, he took command of the 10th Division.

The Pakistani government had chosen Khan to be the first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army. This was after General Douglas Gracey retired. Iftikhar was senior to Ayub Khan, who later became a Commander-in-Chief and a leader of Pakistan.

In his book, Friends, not masters, Ayub Khan claimed that the British supported Major General Iftikhar. He also said Iftikhar was short-tempered and difficult to work with.

His Death

Iftikhar was planning to travel to the United Kingdom for a special course at the Imperial Defence College. He was the first Pakistan Army Officer chosen for this. Brigadier Sher Khan, who was going to the United States for a UN Security Council discussion on Kashmir, convinced Iftikhar to fly with him.

Before Khan could start his new role, a terrible accident happened. His flight on a Pakistan Airways C-53 plane crashed on December 13, 1949. Iftikhar, his wife, and their baby daughter all died. Brigadier Sher Khan and his wife were also among the victims. Many other people were on the plane, including government officials and crew members.

The plane was flying from Lahore to Karachi. It crashed at Karo Jabal, near Malmari Jalalji Village, about 102 kilometers from Karachi.

His Funeral

The funeral procession started at Frere Hall in Karachi. It moved through Saddar Bazaar for about 1.5 miles. Thousands of people watched as the procession went to the Armed Forces Cemetery, also known as Fauji Qabristan.

The bodies of Iftikhar and Sher Khan were carried on special gun carriages by military officers.

Iftikhar's brother, Major General Muhammed Akbar Khan, and Sher Khan's brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yusuf Khan, were among the main mourners. Many important people attended, including diplomats, government officials, and military personnel.

Each gun carriage was pulled by 8 JCOs (junior officers). Over 30,000 people attended the funeral prayers at the Fauji Qabristan.

Dates of Rank

Insignia	Rank	Component	Date of rank
	Second Lieutenant	British Indian Army	29 August 1929 (unattached 2-Lt.) 16 October 1930
	Lieutenant	British Indian Army	29 November 1931
	Captain	British Indian Army	1 August 1938 7 August 1940 (Staff Captain)
	Major	British Indian Army	10 February 1943 (acting) 20 April 1943 (temporary)
	Lieutenant Colonel	British Indian Army	July 1943
	Major General	Pakistan Army	14 August 1947