Sajad Haider
MG Tawab | |
---|---|
Commander No. 19 Squadron PAF | |
In office October 1963 – June 1967 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Sayed Sajjad Haider 26 December 1932 (age 91) British India |
Spouses | Iffat
(m. 1960; div. 1969)Tahira
(m. 1970; div. 1971)Faryda
(m. 1980; div. 1989) |
Children | 3 |
Parents |
|
Education | |
Battles/wars |
|
Awards | Golden Eagle Award (1958)[a] Caterpillar Club (1961) Six Green Endorsements[b] Sitara-e-Jurat (1965) |
Haider's career in the
Challenges persisted within the PAF, illustrating a complex bureaucratic landscape and personal rivalries that continued to influence and shape Sajad's career. Sajad writes that the Americans coerced
Sajad Haider retired from the
After retirement, Sajad started his own defence, aviation and communication company called Cormorant. He decided to close in 1990 after he was being targeted and offered kickbacks by two
Early life and education
Sajad was born in Sargodha on the 25th or 26th December 1932, at midnight. His parents were Dr. Syed Fazal Shah (1882-1986) and Rashida Begum. Sajad has an older sister named Kausar and two younger brothers, Dr. Bunyad Haider (1936-2014), a renowned cardiologist who served as the Chairperson of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the youngest, Jawwad Haider.[16][20]
Sajad attended Mission School Quetta with his sister Kausar until class 5, then Islamia High School Quetta for 3 years. Finally, they were admitted to
Sajad's family lived in the Bugti House before they moved into a small tin roof house in the Bugti complex of eight houses built by Nawab Mehran Khan Bugti, of which two Mehran gifted to Sajad's father who was his friend. Sajad grew up with Akbar Bugti's siblings after Sajad's parents had shifted to the house in the complex. Sajad writes that he recalls Akbar as a stunning and fearsome person who always called him chapeit or scrawny boy. Bugti's younger brother Ahmed Nawaz Bugti would take Sajad with him everyday for driving lessons he took from a taxi driver who would turn up five days of the wee. This was until it was time for Ahmed to return to Aitchison college.[21]
Against the backdrop of the post-World War II depression, Sajad's family confronted challenging times, as his father did not charge people for treatment, leading the family to rely on ration cards to obtain essential goods like sugar, flour, tea, eggs, cooking oil, and petrol. Despite the economic difficulties, Sajad reflects that the harsh realities of war did not directly impact his childhood, thanks to his mother's significant sacrifices to ensure warmth and sustenance.[16]
After passing the
Family history and upbringing
Sajad traces his family history to the rulers of the Khwarazmian Empire. Sajad's father Dr. Syed Fazal Shah, came from a small village called Moinuddinpur in Gujrat, founded by his ancestor, Sayed Moin-ud-Din Shah.[16]
Dr. Syed Fazal Shah served as a doctor in
When Jinnah asked Dr. Sayed Fazal Shah "why didn't you become President yourself and why did you make Qazi Muhammad Isa President of the Muslim League in Balochistan?" Dr. Sayed Fazal Shah replied that "I am not interested in power but in the results of the prime mission. Furthermore, Qazi Muhammad Isa is a local of Balochistan, while I am an outsider."[16]
Sajad's mother, Rashida Begum, was a housewife who did social work for the poor and those suffering from diseases, especially tuberculosis patients. Dr. Syed Fazal Shah was Punjabi and Rashida Begum was Pashtun from her mother's side.[16]
Completely dedicated to his medical profession, Sajad's father, Dr. Syed Fazal Shah, worked diligently in his practice, providing medical care to numerous underprivileged patients at nominal or no fees. He promptly responded to every emergency call, even in challenging conditions such as freezing temperatures in
Personal life
Sajad Haider married three times. In 1960, Sajad married his first wife Iffat, who gave birth to their son Adnan in 1963. He married his second wife, Tahira in 1970 and the marriage lasted until 1971. He married his last wife, Faryda in April 1979 who gave birth to their son Zohare in 1980 and daughter Zaiena in 1984.[16]
In 1978, Haider attended the
Pakistan Air Force career
During his second year at the
Airstrikes against Faqir of Ipi
In 1953–54, Sajad Haider flew air raids against Faqir of Ipi and his men. In an interview in 2004, he recalled: “We were called in to rescue ground troops. Flying overhead we saw hundreds of tribal fighters, in groups of 10 and 15, hiding behind big boulders. They knew the terrain, they moved very quickly and understood the limitations of our aircraft. They used to hide at the bottom of steep hills so pilots would have no space to pull up after attacks.”[1]
World record loop of 1958
On 2 February 1958,
The same year, Sajad was the youngest and first to receive the
War of 1965
Sajad Haider often lauded as the Saviour of Lahore and one of the key heroes of the 1965 War, led the Sherdils of No. 19 Squadron as Squadron Leader during the war.[26]
1965 War's Pathankot Strike, a mission that underscored Haider's strategic acumen and the unwavering resolve of his squadron. The
Before they took off from
Haider paints a detailed picture of the Wagah Strike, shedding light on the precision and bravery exhibited by the young pilots under his command which played an instrumental role in altering the course of the war. The narrative also explores the Pathankot Strike, wherein Haider's squadron targeted the IAF airfield with aircraft guns only. The success of the mission, resulting in the destruction of numerous Indian aircraft, showcased the exceptional skill and determination of the PAF pilots acknowledged by the Indians. Haider attributes the success to the collective efforts of his team and underscores the leadership and the visionary strategies of Air Marshal Asghar Khan and Air Marshal Nur Khan.[16]
The following day, Haider was called by his base commander who handed him a letter which included a tasking order, instructing No 19 Squadron to reconnoiter Avantipura airfield, strafe any targets, then proceed to Srinagar to attack grounded aircraft. The Flight Commander, Mo Akbar, was asked to assign three pilots for the mission. He agreed and a team was formed with
Sitara-e-Jurat
The Sitara-e-Jurat citation reads:
CITATION
SQUADRON LEADER SYED SAJAD HAIDER (PAK/1445)“Squadron Leader Syed Sajad Haider displayed exceptional leadership, courage and flying skill in the operations against the enemy during the Indo-Pak War. He destroyed four enemy aircraft, eleven enemy tanks and damaged three tanks. Throughout the operations, his attitude both on the ground and in the air was exemplary. He infused his pilots with aggressiveness. The strike mission which he led on 6th September 1965, against Pathankot airfield, where his formation destroyed 13 enemy aircraft including two MIG-21’s, was conducted in the best traditions of the Pakistan Air Force. The formation carried out repeated attacks in the face of heavy ack-ack. For the determination, courage and exceptional flying skill with which he flew and led his squadron during operations against the enemy. Squadron Leader Syed Sajad Haider, is awarded SJ.”
War of 1971
After serving in
The Wing under his leadership, included
As he settled into his role, the
The Wing played a crucial role in close support operations, conducting nearly 200 missions in the
Attock Conspiracy 1973, arrest, solitary confinement, and exoneration
On 30 March 1973, several Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force officers, including Sajad, were arrested for their alleged role in what was to be known as the 1973 Attock Conspiracy Case on charges of attempting to overthrow the Government of President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Sajad was placed in solitary confinement, in a dark room for months in which he recalls that he developed a stronger relationship with Allah.[30]
He was offered a deal to get out early by two officials of the DAI, CA Waheed and Sibtain, who he referred to as Gestapo rats, in exchange for a false confessional statement against Zulfiqar Ali Khan in front of a magistrate, which Sajad refused to do.[31]
The 14 air force officials were tried at PAF Camp Badaber on 27 July 1973 in a General Court Martial headed by Air Vice Marshal Chaudhry Rab Nawaz where Haider and others were exonerated. The members of the court had also noted that the case against Sajad was solely a personal vendetta that the sitting CAS Zafar Chaudhry had against Sajad for Sajad standing up to him.[32][33]
The Verdict read:
VERDICTTHE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAVE DELIBERATED VERY CAREFULLY THE EVIDENCE PRODUCED BY THE PROSECUTION THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL AND TODAY AS RESPONSE TO THE ‘PLEA OF NO CASE’ BY THE LEGAL COUNSEL OF ACCUSED NO 13, THE COURT FINDS THE PROSECUTOR’S CASE AGAINST THE ACCUSED INDEFENSIBLE. IT IS THE UNANIMOUS DECISION OF THE COURT THAT THE ‘PLEA OF NO CASE’ IS ACCEPTED AND ACCUSED NO 13, GROUP CAPTAIN SAJAD HAIDER SAYED, STANDS EXONERATED AGAINST ALL CHARGES LEVELED AGAINST HIM. HE IS FREE TO LEAVE THE COURT ROOM.
Air Attache
In late 1974, Sajad relinquished the charge of Director Flight Safety and was appointed as
During
Shah of Irans accusation against Sajad
The
Undeterred, the ousted Vice President collaborates with touts, including Pakistanis, Iranians, and Americans, all seeking to profit from questionable defence deals with the
The Shah's son-in-law Ardeshir Zahedi who is also the Iranian ambassador in Washington, is shocked by the turn of events, as he is a close friend of Sajad. Later investigations reveal that a Savak operative from Zahedi's embassy, with a direct line to the Shah, fabricated the malicious lie against Sajad.[11]
Sajad was urgently summoned by the secretary of Ambassador
TELEXDURING THE FIRST RCD MEETING AT IZMIR BETWEEN THE ARYAMEHR SHAHINSHAH OF IRAN AND MR BHUTTO, THE SHAHINSHAH DISCUSSED IN DETAIL THE PAKISTAN AIR ATTACHÉ AT WASHINGTON, GP CAPT SAJAD HAIDER. THE SHAHINSHAH TOOK STRONG EXCEPTION TO THE DEROGATORY COMMENTS MADE BY THE AIR ATTACHÉ AGAINST ARYAMEHR SHAHINSHAH OF IRAN’S PERSON AND FURTHER ALLEGED HE HAS BEEN SPREADING DISCONTENT AMONGST THE IRANIAN COMMUNITY. THE SHAHINSHAH WANTED IMMEDIATE ACTION AGAINST THE AIR ATTACHÉ. CONSIDERING THE SENSITIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND PAKISTAN YOU ARE TO REPATRIATE THE AIR ATTACHÉ INSTANTLY.
In the midst of the turmoil, Hyder faced a surprising reassignment by the Ambassador, leaving him disheartened. However, a letter from the Foreign Secretary eventually conveyed his exoneration. Strained relations persisted, leading to Hyder's recall from Washington.[16]
Abdur Rahim Khan, upon learning of Haider's financial constraints, arranged for his travel to Spain, where Khan was serving as the Ambassador. Haider writes that this act of generosity became pivotal as it provided him with the means to meet Khan and seek solace during a challenging period. During their meeting, Sajad writes that tears streamed down Khan's face as he listened to Haider's account of his service and the court-martial.[16]
Returning to Pakistan, Haider faced challenges, including an unexpected reassignment by the Chief of Air Staff. Frustrated by the lack of communication and understanding, he confronted the Chief, questioning the return of individuals involved in past intrigues.[16]
In a final encounter with Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bhutto acknowledged the harsh realities of the political landscape, empathizing with Haider's court-martial hardships. Sajad writes that Bhutto's words, "This is a cruel world, Haider," foreshadowed his own destiny.[16]
The narrative also revealed intricate details, including a letter written by Ambassador Yaqub Khan and another undisclosed letter to AVM Hassan. Moreover, it uncovered that the false accusations originated from the American businessman, driven by resentment after being snubbed by Sajad Haider.[11]
Dissent against Zia's dictatorship
In the aftermath of a top-secret meeting at
While Zia sat down after his closing remarks, Sajad stood up and felt a tug at his trousers from General F. S. Lodhi, urging him to remain silent. Sajad says he was fully aware that expressing his dissent could have severe consequences. Gathering his courage, Sajad decided to speak out. Despite the attempts to silence him, he stood up and addressed the President directly. Zia, irritated by the interruption, granted him a brief moment to speak. In that instance, Sajad voiced his concerns about the intelligence agencies, the stifled press, and the intimidation faced by ordinary citizens. He painted a stark picture of the disconnect between the rulers and the reality of the nation.[36]
In the face of potential consequences, Sajad spoke the following words to
Sir, the road from the airport to the Aiwan-e-Sadr does not reflect the soul of Pakistan; which, in fact, lurks in the dark and pitted backstreets of Pakistan. But these agencies would not suggest that you take a peek there and see the real state of the wretched Pakistani nation. The press, Mr. President, is stifled, and people are petrified to speak their distressed minds.
I have worn this uniform with incredible pride and never hesitated to put my life on the line for the defense of my country. Tragically, I do not feel the same sense of pride as I did a decade ago when people almost kissed our hands when they saw us in uniform in a public place. Today, the tables have turned. People have visible contempt for us and our uniform. Since, in some small way, I share the responsibility of this metamorphosis, I do not feel proud wearing this uniform anymore.
Mr. President, I live in Islamabad, and every day my exit from GHQ brings me on an intercept course with the Corps Commander also going home. But there is a difference. The gallant men of God, who are under oath to defend the people, the property, and the frontiers of this country, travel with outriders on motorcycles; red beacons flashing and sirens screaming to herald the approaching cavalcade. In the meanwhile, all citizens on foot or in transports at the T-junction from GHQ to the old President House are shooed off the road to clear the path for the defenders of Pakistan. This is not the way defenders should conduct themselves amongst their own people. I think that we have ceased to sense their ire that ordinary citizens feel at such intimidation.”[16]
Retirement
Following the incident, several GHQ colleagues visited Sajad, cautioning him about impending trouble and a grim future. While Sajad was in service, he had the opportunity to take a job in the PIA which he writes seemed like history after the confrontation with Zia.
Sajad encountered
This marked the end of an eventful fighter pilot career. Leaving the PAF in 1980, Sajad harbored no regrets, envisioning a space for the younger generation. Gratefully declining PAFs facilities given to retired personnel, Sajad writes that he embarked on a new life with just Rs. 17,000 (equivalent to Rs. 87,000 or US$300 in 2021) in his bank account and a 1970 LHD Toyota.[16]
Reaction to Abbottabad raid
Sajad stated that it was impossible for the
Commemorations
In several noteworthy endorsements, various individuals, including Pushpinder Singh Chopra, state that, “Sajad Haider is the real and forever hero of the 1965 air war.”
“Sajad Haider is one of the gallant few who helped save Pakistan in 1965” —
“As Chief of Operations during the 1965 war, I can say Squadron Leader Sajad Haider emerged as one of the outstanding commanders. Under his able and inspiring leadership, No. 19 Squadron's contribution was second to none and at times beyond all expectations. Whenever there was a difficult task to be carried out effectively, I always called upon No. 19 Squadron to do it and it was always done in the best traditions of the Pakistan Air Force.” —
“Squadron Leader SS Haider led the PAF raid at 1600 hours. After his earlier successful raid on Pathankot, Haider chose Srinagar, as it was the only airfield within range of his Sabres from Peshawar. As usual, no warning was available to the defences until the Sabres were almost overhead. Haider and his wingman attacked 2 Dakotas parked near the ATC. Both aircraft had to be written off. The other 2 Sabres strafed and thoroughly shot up a Caribou parked on the apron ahead of the terminal. A Sabre hit and damaged by the Ack-Ack was trailing flames as all 4 Sabres disappeared over the mountains, heading back for home. It seemed unlikely that the damaged Sabre would make it back to the air in the near future. The raid netted the Pakistanis three aircraft destroyed on the ground, one of which belonged to the IAF. One of the Dakotas belonged to the civilian Indian Airlines Corporation. The Caribou belonged to the Royal Canadian Air Force contingent of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan.” — PVS Jagan Mohan, The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965
“This book is the result of Sajad Haider's relentless pursuit to ferret out the truth of Pakistan's military adventures and the adventurers who threw the nation into wars which proved costly in the lives of the brave men and devastating for the nation.” — Professor Khwaja Masud
“A brother and mentor, Sajad Haider inspired me in the very incipient stage of my career to always 'aim high', a lesson I never forgot and pursued with vigor. Surely then I owe him much for what Allah bestowed on me later.” —
“Sajad Haider is a flamboyant character with a quick wit and irrepressible daring. He was always given to exercise initiative beyond his terms of reference. This made him controversial but stood him in good stead in battle. He is therefore in a position to make iconoclastic revelations. Some of these needed highlighting as they bear on the unstable state that this country has become... The reader will be well served with fresh and candid accounts of some of the major events of the last fifty years now appearing in a different light devoid of the embellishments of those times. In the long run the truth prevails.” —
“Just after Zia grabbed power he gave a 'pep' talk... why he had carried out his coup. The audience listened in stony silence except for one, A Cdre Haider, who in 1965 had achieved such spectacular successes. Haider got up and said, 'Sir, what you have just said is what all military dictators have said... they try to hang on to power forever". The distinguished military career of A Cdre Sajad Haider thus ended abruptly.” — Mansoor Shah (author of The Gold Bird)[16]
Publications
- Wing Commander Syed Sajjad Haider, S.J. (1969). "The Story Behind the Tank Busters". Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan: Volume 21, Issues 40-52. Pakistan Herald Publications.
- Haider, S Sajad (2009). FLIGHT OF THE FALCON: Demolishing myths of Indo-Pak wars 1965 & 1971 - Story of a Fighter Pilot. Vanguard Publications. ISBN 9789694025261.
- Haider, S Sajad (2 July 2009). "Arshad Sami". The Nation.
- "Sajjad's interview in PAF in Defence of Lahore". Defence Journal. September 2001. Archived from the original on 2016-08-18.
Effective dates of promotion
Insignia | Rank | Date |
---|---|---|
Air Commodore |
24 March 1976[38] | |
Group Captain |
September 1971 | |
Wing Commander |
June 1967[39] | |
Squadron Leader |
October 1963 | |
Flight Lieutenant |
1958 | |
Flying Officer |
October 1953 | |
Pilot Officer |
13 June 1953 |
Awards and decorations
PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 4000 Flying Hours) | ||||
partition to be awarded)1958 | ||||
Top Gun Fighter Leaders' School Sword (Instructor & Flight Commander) | ||||
Sitara-e-Jurat
(Star of Courage)
| ||||
Tamgha-e-Jamhuria
(Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956 |
Tamgha-e-Diffa
(General Service Medal)
|
Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War
(War Star 1965) |
Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War
(War Star 1971) | |
Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War
(War Medal 1965) |
Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War
(War Medal 1971) |
Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-
(100th Birth Anniversary of 1976 |
Hijri Tamgha
(Hijri Medal) 1979 |
Notes
References
- ^ a b "History reaching into the present in Waziristan". brecorder. 2 May 2004.
- ^ a b "Nosy Haider sets the record right". www.dawn.com. 4 August 2005.
Popularly known as 'Nosy Haider' for leading a devastating blitzkrieg against the Pathankot airbase, Sajjad said in a statement that the Indian Air Marshal Raghavendran, nowhere in his article asserts, quote that "PAF attacked only targets of 'opportunity', enabling the IAF to be up and fighting the next day." In fact what Air Marshal Raghavendran wrote is exactly the opposite. The Indian Air Marshal actually mocks his commanders for a stupid plan, "I (Air Marshal Raghavendran) rushed across to the offices of the Mystere squadron commanders to find out which enemy airfields they had struck. Surprise and shock — no airfields had been attacked — they had gone after targets of opportunity!! I just couldn't believe it".
- ISBN 978-0-19-648045-9.
- ^ "Excellence in Air Combat: PAF's Forte". Defence Journal. April 2002. Archived from the original on 2017-12-19.
- ^ "A HERO FADES AWAY". Defence Journal. March 1999. Archived from the original on 2017-11-01.
- ^ "THE END OF A LEGEND". Defence Journal. March 1999. Archived from the original on 2016-08-24.
- ISBN 978-1-4828-1626-6.
- ^ "Strike at Pathankot War Diaries Episode 6". YouTube. 23 September 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-68247-242-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Don't you ever say die". www.dawn.com. 17 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Pakistanis angry after 1965 war hero and Imran Khan supporter mistreated by Islamabad Police". www.msn.com. 16 May 2023.
- ^ "26 ex-army officers allowed to appear on media as defence analysts". www.dawn.com. 16 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Air Commodore (retd.) Syed Sajad Haider: The Saviour of Lahore and Pakistan". www.bahaaristan.com. 27 June 2023.
- ^ MANSOOR SHAH, The Gold Bird - Pakistan and Its Air Force, Observations of a Pilot, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2002, p.303.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x S SAJAD HAIDER, FLIGHT OF THE FALCON: Demolishing myths of Indo-Pak wars 1965 & 1971, VANGUARD BOOKS, Lahore, 2009
- ^ "Pakistan Airforce Hero Sajjad Haider Donation Imran Khan Telethon Live" (video). youtube.com. BOL Network. 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Air Commodore Sajjad Haider: 'I Will Vote For Imran Khan Wearing My Military Uniform'". YouTube. 5 February 2024.
- ^ "Air commodore Sajjad Haider Wearing His War Uniform To Cost A Vote From Imran khan". YouTube. 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Cardiologist Bunyad Haider passes away". 19 August 2014.
- ^ "Sajad Haider, the Hero of the 1965 war". www.tribune.com.pk. 2 April 2005.
We had grown up in Bugti House before we moved into the small tin roof house in the Bugti complex built by Nawab Mehrab Khan, the fearsome chief of the Bugti tribe. The Nawabs of Bugti, Marri, Mazari, Magsi, Kalat and Jaffer Khan Jamali and Abdul Ghafoor Durrani were my father's venerable companions throughout their lives. Although older in age to all of them, my father had outlived them. Nawab Mehrab Khan Bugti was my father's closest friend. I still recall that whenever Nawab Sahib was in Quetta, he invariably had lunch with my father every day. That was the reason why my sister and I spent our formative period in the fabled Bugti house, where Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti later lived with his family. I grew up playing with Akbar Bugti's siblings after my parents had shifted to the house in the Bugti complex. I recall Akbar Bugti as a stunning and fearsome person who always called me chapeit or scrawny boy. His younger brother Ahmed Nawaz Bugti would take me with him every day for the driving lessons he took from a taxi driver who would turn up five days of the week to teach us driving. This was until it was time for Ahmed Nawaz to return to Aitchison College in Lahore. Note; We lived in Bugti House while the Bugti Complex of eight houses was under construction by Nawab Mehrab Khan Bugti. Two of those houses were given to my parents, where I grew up along with my siblings.
- ^ The Balochistan Muslim League
- ^ Muslim League in Balochistan
- ^ "Mitty Masud folds his wings". www.dawn.com. 13 October 2003.
- ^ "AM Asghar Khan: father of PAF, doyen of Pakistan's politics". www.brecorder.com. 5 January 2023.
- ^ Khalid Ghaznawi (1966). Story of Indian Aggressions Against Pakistan. National Book House.
- ISBN 978-81-7304-641-4.
- ^ Sadia Sattar (2018). "The Eagles Ruled the Skies". Archived from the original on 2021-08-05.
- ISBN 978-81-7304-641-4.
- ^ "History of Attock Jail, Attock Fort and its famous inmates". 6 August 2023.
- ^ An Army: Its Role & Rule. Ghosia Colony. 2002.
- ^ Volume 3, Issue 32. Frontier Guardian. 11 August 1973.
- ^ Asif Javed MD (December 2010). "Flight of the Falcon: A Fighter Pilot's Story".
- ^ "Diplomatic List (August 1976)". 1976. p. 50/66.
- ^ State Dinners - 2/5/75: The Greeting Committee
- ISBN 978-1-9845-7935-5.
- ^ "Sajad Haider - 6 May 2011 - Flash Point - Khyber TV - Part 3". YouTube.
- ^ The Gazette of Pakistan (1976)
- ISBN 978-0-19-648045-9.