Akhtar Hussain Malik

Akhtar Hussain Malik (1910s – 22 August 1969) was a Pakistani senior military officer, and a widely decorated war hero of the Pakistan Army due to his leadership and command during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and before the 1965 war Operation Gibraltar and Operation Grand Slam.

He was admitted to the British Indian Army's newly raised 7th Battalion in the 16th Punjab Regiment.

Upon his return to India after the war, Malik continued his service in the British Indian Army as an officer. Over the next two years, the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule swelled, and by August 1947 had ultimately led to the partitioning of British India into two separate states: the Hindu-majority Dominion of India and the Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan. After partition, Malik's regiment was allocated to the newly created Pakistan Army. He opted for Pakistani citizenship, and relocated across the new border shortly afterwards, transferring and continuing his military service with the Pakistan Army.

Personality Mailk was known amongst his peers for his boldness in strategy, quick thinking, and patriotism. Although he was highly admired and respected by his subordinates, he would often be very outspoken towards them. As a tactician, he planned Operation Gibraltar and Operation Grand Slam under the auspices of the President of Pakistan: Field Marshal Ayub Khan. In a letter to his brother, Lt. Gen. Abdul Ali Malik, Akhtar Malik bitterly highlighted the sudden change of command and inept leadership of General Yahya Khan as one of the main causes of failure.

No clear war winners Again, per BBC News, this war was inconclusive, with no clear winners:

"Over the years, both sides have claimed victory. Pakistan celebrates on 6 September every year as "Defence of Pakistan Day" with a 21-gun salute and a victory parade. Indians meanwhile believe that their forces had the clear upper hand in the war".

Legacy Qudrat Ullah Shahab, an eminent Urdu writer and civil servant had also commented on the matter, saying:

"At a time when (Major) General Akhtar Hussain Malik was to take over Akhnoor to pave the way to take Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, he was wrongly removed from the command, and General Yahya Khan was put in his position. Perhaps the aim was to deprive Pakistan success in Akhnoor, Yahya Khan accomplished this task very well."

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ninth Prime Minister and fourth President had also commented on Ayub and Yahya's intervention in the war, saying:

"Had General Akhtar Malik not been stopped in the Chamb-Jaurian Sector, the Indian forces in Kashmir would have suffered serious reverses, but Ayub Khan wanted to make his favorite, General Yahya Khan, a hero."

Death After the war, Malik was posted to an advisory commanding position for CENTO in Ankara, Turkey, where he succumbed to injuries sustained in a road accident on 22 August 1969. His body was brought back to Pakistan and being an Ahmadi muslim, he was buried in a dedicated cemetery in Rabwah.

Awards and decorations

Hilal-e-Jurat (Crescent of Courage)

1965 WarSitara-e-Pakistan

(Star of Pakistan)

(SPk)Tamgha-e-Diffa

(General Service Medal)

1965 War ClaspSitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)Pakistan Tamgha (Pakistan Medal)

1947Tamgha-e-Jamhuria (Republic Commemoration Medal)

19561939-1945 StarBurma StarWar Medal 1939–1945India Service Medal 1939–1945Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

(1953)

Foreign decorations