Major General Sana Ullah Khan Niazi[a] (10 September 1960 – 15 September 2013), also known as Soldiers' General, was a two-star rank general serving as General Officer Commanding of the Pakistan Army's 17th Division in Malakand from February 2013 until his assassination in a roadside blast in September. Lieutenant Colonel Tauseef and Lance Naik Irfan were also killed in the blast while two other officers were injured. Sanaullah was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat and Hilal-i-Imtiaz on Pakistan Day in 2014 and 2015.[4][5][6][7]
Sanaullah Khan Niazi | |
|---|---|
| ثناء اللہ خان نیازی | |
| General Officer Commanding 17th Infantry Division | |
| In office February 2013 – 15 September 2013 | |
| Succeeded by | Ghulam Qamar (temporarily)[1] Javed Mahmood Bukhari[2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 September 1960 Daud Khel, Mianwali, West Pakistan |
| Died | 15 September 2013 (aged 53) Upper Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Manner of death | Assassination |
| Resting place | Daud Khel |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Amin Ullah Khan (brother) Imran Khan (cousin)[3] |
| Education | Officers Training School, Mangla Command and Staff College Quetta National Defence University, Pakistan National Defense University (Republic of China) |
| Known for | |
| Awards | See list |
| Nickname | Soldiers' General |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1983–2013 |
| Rank |   Major General |
| Unit | 11th Baloch Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
Sanaullah is renowned for clearing the Malakand District division of militants in less than seven months and overseeing the security of 50,000 tourists. Additionally, he was known for launching a sports Gala and reopening the Kabal Golf Course for the youth of Swat, which subsequently led to the valley holding a national golf tournament after 20 years as well as an art exhibition for the first time in Swat's history.[8][9]
Sanaullah is the brother of Amin Ullah Khan and paternal cousin of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.[10][3]
Early life
editSanaullah Khan Niazi was born on 10 September 1960 in Daud Khel, Mianwali into a Pashtun Niazi family.[11] His father, SSP Khan Ikhlas Khan, is described as a "fearless" police officer who served in Quetta for most of his career and was known as "fearless" for arresting Nawab Akbar Bugti in the 1970s.[12]
Sanaullah has three brothers, Rehmat Ullah Khan Niazi who at the time of Sanaullah's death was the Deputy Inspector General of the Quetta Police, Amin Ullah Khan and Madad Khan.[10] One of his paternal cousins is former cricketer and 19th Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.[3]
Personal life
editSanaullah is survived by his widow and two daughters.[10]
His former staff officer, Colonel Moeen Yusuf Khan, recalled that Sanaullah was a difficult man to make angry and very easy to make happy, adding that he was a car enthusiast.[5]
Military career
editUpon completing the 12th course of the Officers Training School in Mangla on 11 December 1983, Sanaullah was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in the 11 Baloch Regiment. Subsequently, he was awarded the COAS cane by General Zia-ul-Haq for achieving second place in the course.[13][14]
Sanaullah graduated from the Command and Staff College Quetta in 1994, National Defence University, Pakistan, and the National Defense University (Republic of China) in 2012.[15][13]
Throughout his career, Sanaullah held various key positions, including General Staff Officer Grade II at the Chief of General Staff secretariate, Director of Military Training for Combat at the Military Training Directorate, and Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade twice. He commanded an Infantry Battalion and an Independent Infantry Brigade Group, served as a United Nations Military Observer with MONUA and Contingent Commander with UNOMSIL, and was a faculty member at the Pakistan Military Academy. Additionally, he was an instructor at the School of Infantry and Tactics in Quetta and the Command and Staff College Quetta.[13]
Brigadier Sanaullah Khan Niazi was promoted to the rank of Major General on 14 July 2012.[16]
On 9 September 2013, Sanaullah inaugurated the Jashn-i-Kumrat sports festival in Upper Dir District. Addressing the 3,000 participants, he stated, "terrorists wouldn't be allowed to disturb peace of the area" and added that the festival would promote peace and tourism in the district.[17]
Legacy
editMajor General Sanaullah was credited for establishing peace along with reviving tourism in the Swat Valley. He was further known for working tirelessly in the recovery efforts and bringing back the residents of Swat who were evacuated after the army launched an operation to clear the area from the occupation of militants.[9]
Additionally, Sanaullah is regarded as the pioneer of the Malam Jabba Snow Festival, which was the first cultural event that took place after the military operation. In a short span of seven months, he cleared the Malakand division of militants and oversaw the security of 50,000 tourists. He launched a sports Gala for the youth and reopened the Kabal Golf Course which subsequently led to Swat Valley holding a national golf tournament for the first time in 20 years. Additionally, an art exhibition took place for the first time in Swat's history.[8][9]
Assassination
editAfter staying two nights above 10,000ft at Malatar troop post to boost the morale of soldiers following a deadly attack a year previously which killed 18 soldiers, Sanaullah and Lt Col Touseef Ahmed were travelling to the Battalion Headquarters of 33 Baloch which Touseef was the Commanding Officer of, from the Upper Dir District along the Afghan border when their vehicle drove over a bomb at 12:30pm planted by the Pakistani Taliban killing them along with their driver Lance Naik Irfan Sattar (33 Baloch) and injuring Havildar Ilyas and DQ21 Havildar Ghaffar. They were all airlifed to a military hospital in Rawalpindi.[18][19][20][21]
Funeral
editThe Islamic funeral for Sanaullah, Lt. Colonel Tauseef, and Lance Naik Irfan was held on 16 September 2013 and attended by army personnel, police officers, politicians and civilians.[10]
Military personnel laid floral wreaths on his grave on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff General Kayani, Chief of Air Staff Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of Naval Staff Asif Sandila, and CJCSC Khalid Shameem Wynne.[10] At an event later that evening, General Kayani stated, "The General Officer has set towering example of leading from the front which is hallmark of leadership in Pakistan Army, we all salute his bravery."[22]
Aftermath
editIn June 2018, the planner of the attack was killed in Afghanistan by a US Army drone strike.[23][24] The militant who planted the device was arrested and sentenced to death on 15 December 2018.[25]
Memorials
editSanaullah Colony, Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Cricket tournament, Maj Gen Sanaullah Memorial Football tournament, Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Toll Plaza, and Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Interchange are named after him.[5][26]
Awards and Decorations
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| Hilal-i-Imtiaz
(Military) (Crescent of Excellence) 2015 |
Sitara-e-Basalat
(Star of Valour) | ||
| COAS Cane
(12th OTS) 1983 |
Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat
(Democracy Medal) 1988 |
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha
(Resolution Day) (Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990 |
Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan
(Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997 |
| Tamgha-e-Baqa
1998 |
UNAVEM III (UNMO Medal) (2 deployments) |
UNOMSIL Medal (Contingent Commander) (2 deployments) |
Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan
2002 |
| Command and Staff College Quetta
Instructor's Medal |
Tamgha-e-Diffa
(Defence Medal) Siachen Glacier Clasp |
10 Years Service Medal | 20 Years Service Medal |
Foreign decorations
edit| Foreign Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
 UN
|
UNAVEM III |
|
| UN
|
UNOMSIL |
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References
edit- ^ "Kayani gives go-ahead for Dir operation". The Nation (Pakistan). 22 September 2013.
The planned military operation in Upper Dir is to be led by the GOC 19 Infantry Div, Major General Ghulam Qamar, who has been assigned the additional charge of 17 Infantry Div.
- ^ "Gen Bukhari to succeed slain GOC". Dawn. 24 September 2013.
Maj Gen Javed Mahmood Bukhari, currently commander of the 8th Division in Sialkot, has been appointed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 17th Infantry Division, which is operating in Swat, in place of Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi.
- ^ a b c "History of Zaman Park, its illustrious residents". The News International. 7 March 2023.
One of Imran's distant family relatives was Major General Bilal Omar Khan, who had embraced martyrdom in the 2009 Rawalpindi mosque attack. Another relative was Major General Sanaullah Khan Niazi, who had perished in a bomb blast in 2013.
- ^ Masood, Salman (15 September 2013). "Senior Pakistani General Is Killed in Insurgent Attack". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ a b c Colonel Moeen Yusuf Khan (1 September 2020). "We Shan't Forget You". Hilal.
- ^ "No PR-61/2014-ISPR". Inter-Services Public Relations. 23 March 2014.
Following officers and men have been conferred with Sitara-e-Basalat, Maj Gen Sana Ullah Khan (Shaheed)
- ^ "Peshawar school victims among 112 recipients of awards". Dawn. 24 March 2015.
Following is the list of those who received military awards: HILAL-I-IMTIAZ (MILITARY): Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi (late).
- ^ a b "Ashfaq wins Swat Open Golf tournament". The Nation (Pakistan). 1 September 2013.
Mehmood Khan was the chief guest while Commanding Officer Malakand Division Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi, dignitaries of the valley, other civil and military officers were also present. Later, Minister Mehmood and Maj Gen Sanaullah distributed prizes among the players and officials.
- ^ a b c "Major General Sanaullah: Ode to a fallen Swat patron". The Express Tribune. 15 September 2013.
Moreover, he created and launched the Malam Jabba Snow Festival in which he invited tourists and athletes from all across the country to take part in the games. The festival also created employment for the area. But he didn't stop there. Tourists thronged the Swat Summer Festival, the first cultural event that took place after Swat's battle against militancy. Maj Gen Sanullah oversaw its arrangement. Within no time, he ensured the security of more than 50,000 tourists, which also helped in the revival of the local hotel industry. He also launched a Sports Gala for the youth in Swat. Committed to sports, he reopened the Kabal Golf Course and Swat held a national golf tournament last month featuring 200 players for the first time in 20 years. An art exhibition also took place – for the first time in Swat's history.
- ^ a b c d e "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". Dawn. 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Major general Sana ullah Khan Niazi shaheed qabar death born day Pakistan army Mianwali shaheed". YouTube. 6 August 2022.
- ^ Khosa, Tariq (18 September 2013). "Stronger response needed". Dawn.
Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi was instrumental in restoring peace and the writ of the state in the volatile region of Upper Dir. The son of a fearless superintendent of police in Quetta in the 1970s who had the courage to arrest a nawab chief minister.
- ^ a b c Colonel Syed Imran Naqvi (March 2018). "A Soldiers' General" (PDF). Inter-Services Public Relations. p. 206. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Sword of Honour COAS Cane Winners at OTS Kohat & Mangla | Pak Army". Archived from the original on 2 May 2018.
- ^ "Roll of Honour". Command and Staff College Quetta. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Army Promotion Board: 19 brigadiers promoted as majors general". The Express Tribune. 14 July 2012.
According to a statement issued by the ISPR, the names of brigadiers promoted to the rank of major general are Umar Farooq Barki, Shafiq, Musarrat Nawaz, Naseer Ali Khan, M Irshad, Samrez Salik, Akhtar Jamal Rao, Sanaullah.
- ^ "Western borders now safe from terrorists, says army". Dawn. 9 September 2013.
- ^ "Major General Sanaullah, Col Tauseef &LN Irfan laid to rest with military honours". Brecorder. 16 September 2013.
- ^ "PM condoles, TTP claims responsibility for killing of Major General in KP". Dawn. 15 September 2013.
- ^ "No PR-140/2013-ISPR" (Press release). Inter Services Public Relations. 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Body-blow?: Jolt to embryonic peace process". The Express Tribune. 15 September 2013.
Lt Tauseef was commanding officer (CO) of 33 Baloch Regiment. Other troops pulled out the bodies from the wreckage which were subsequently airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi, he added. He identified the two injured officers as HAV Ilyas and DQ21 HAV Ghaffar.
- ^ "Army not to bow before terrorists terms, vows Kayani". Dawn. 16 September 2013.
Maj-Gen Sanaullah was the commander of the forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's militancy-hit Malakand division. "The General Officer has set towering example of leading from the front which is hallmark of leadership in Pakistan Army," said Kayani according to the ISPR statement. "We all salute his bravery."
- ^ "Pakistan's top commanders". Dawn. 9 July 2015.
Fazlullah has been the mastermind behind various high profile attacks including the brutal Peshawar school attack as well as the killing of GoC Swat Major General Sanaullah Khan Niazi.
- ^ "Pakistani Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah killed in U.S airstrike in Afghanistan". The Washington Post. 15 June 2018.
A U.S. drone strike killed the head of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan's eastern Konar province, Afghan officials said Friday, eliminating a notorious insurgent commander
- ^ "Chief of Army Staff (COAS) confirmed the death sentence awarded to 15 hardcore terrorists". Inter-Services Public Relations. 16 December 2018.
The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies and Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Major General Sana Ullah Khan, Lieutenant Colonel Tauseef Ahmed, Naib Subedar Muhammad Aslam and 18 soldiers. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.
- ^ "Passion for football sees thousands turn up for final of local tournament". Dawn. 24 November 2015.
Despite meagre facilities, thousands of football fans turned up to witness the final of the Major General Sanaullah Memorial Football Tournament here on Monday.