Abrar Hussain (general)
17 Baluch (now 19 Baloch) | |
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Battles/wars |
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Awards |
Early life
Major General Abrar Husain was born on 2 September 1918 in a
His excellent personal conduct and exemplary character led the College Principal to declare him as
- "the best boy who has passed through my hands in 10 years."
These qualities would continue to be the hallmark of Abrar Husain for the rest of his eventful life.
In 1939, he graduated in history,
World War II
In October 1940, the
The Japanese separated Indian officers and men from the British and subjected them to intense propaganda and pressure to join the Japanese-sponsored '
By 1945, the Allies had severely disrupted Japanese communications in the South Pacific resulting in starvation among the Japanese, who reportedly had turned to cannibalism. Lieutenant Abrar not only managed to survive, but also demanded and received the surrender of the thousand-strong Japanese garrison.
- In December 1945, an Australian force arrived in New Britain and were astonished to find it in Allied hands, even if the commander and his men were skeletons in rags, carrying Japanese weapons.[3]
For his exemplary conduct, personal bravery and strength of character, Lieutenant Abrar Hussain was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Career in Pakistan Army
On the
He was promoted Brigadier in 1956. As Military Secretary from 1958 to 1964, he was also President of the Army Reforms Committee. Promoted Major General in 1964, he was given the task of converting 100 (Independent) Armoured Brigade Group into the 6 Armoured Division. The fact that he was an infantry officer and yet had been entrusted with the raising of an armoured formation, speaks volumes of the esteem in which he was held by the Army High Command. He would soon vindicate that confidence in the coming war with India. The 6 Armoured Division was still a paper formation without a division's normal complement of fighting or supporting elements. There were only two armoured regiments and one infantry battalion, while there were no integral brigade headquarters in the division.[4]
The main thrust of the Indian offensive was in the
- The Battle of Chawinda produced moments of extreme anxiety and pressure. General Abrar remained composed during the battle, never losing sense of balance and cool nerves. On three occasions when some others got adversely affected, he stood firm and provided leadership of high quality. On 11 September, the enemy attacked the Chawinda defences held by a weak force which had taken over the responsibility only hours earlier. The attackers and defenders suffered considerable losses in the encounter. This was the worst situation faced by 6 Armoured Division in the war. Inspiring the division from the front, Abrar went to the critical part of the frontline, relieved the force with an infantry brigade and stabilised the situation before returning to his Headquarters.[1]
By 22 September, the war would end in ceasefire. Major General Abrar Hussain and his 'Men of Steel' had saved the day for Pakistan. For his inspiring leadership and skillful conduct of operations, he was awarded the Hilal-i-Jur'at. He remains one of Pakistan's most successful field commanders. In 1968, General Abrar was commanding the Command and Staff College in Quetta when he asked for early retirement due to some irreconcilable differences with the GHQ. Typical of him, he never complained or uttered any grievances. On 16 April 1975 during retirement, General Abrar suffered a stroke which paralysed the right side of his body and impeded his speech. He battled against the affliction for seventeen long years with the same quiet dignity and fortitude with which he had lived his life. On 15 March 1992, the grand old soldier and gentleman; one of Pakistan's greatest military heroes, faded away from this world.[4]
Awards and decorations
Hilal-e-Jurat
(Crescent of Courage)
|
Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War
(War Star 1965) |
Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War
(War Medal 1965) | |
Pakistan Tamgha
1947 |
Tamgha-e-Jamhuria
(Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956 |
Member of the | 1939-1945 Star
|
Pacific Star
(with Burma Clasp Rosette) |
Defence Medal | War Medal | Queen Elizabeth II
(1953) |
Foreign decorations
Foreign Awards | ||
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UK | Member of the British Empire (MBE)[5] | |
1939-1945 Star
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Pacific Star | ||
Defence Medal | ||
War Medal 1939-1945
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Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal |
Notes
- ^ a b Arif, Gen KM. (18 April 1992). A General to Remember. The Muslim.
- ^ "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ Ellis, Capt Jim. (3.4.1992). Major-General Abrar Hussain. The Times of London.
- ^ a b Jilani, Capt AA. (September 1992). The Valiant Warrior. Pakistan Army Journal.
- ^ a b Recommendation for Award for Abrar Hussain Rank: Lieutenant Service No: ... 1947.
Further reading
- Ahmad, Lt Col Rifat Nadeem. (2010). Battle Honours of the Baloch Regiment. Abbottabad: The Baloch Regimental Centre.
- Ahmed, Lt Gen Mahmud. (2006). History of Indo-Pak War – 1965. Rawalpindi: Services Book Club.
- Hussain, Maj Gen Abrar. (2005). Men of Steel: 6 Armoured Division in the 1965 War. War Despatches of Major General Abrar Hussain. Rawalpindi: Army Education Publishing House. ISBN 969-8125-19-1
- Riza, Maj Gen Shaukat. (1984). The Pakistan Army: War 1965. Rawalpindi: Services Book Club.