Dawood Ibrahim
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Written By: Lt Col Shahzad Munir
He was standing beside his tank, an old vintage machine, scanning the area in front for traces of enemy. But was it an enemy? They were the ones who were sheltered and looked after by his late father almost thirty years ago. But today, they were firing at his troops and he was not in a mood to allow them to continue their provocations.
It was not his job to be at the frontlines. He was a staff officer and was on leave and could have easily stayed in the comfort of his home playing with his two sons and two daughters waiting for the evening to break the fast. However, he was destined to move in the company of his ideals; in the company of Hussain-Ibn-e-Ali (R.A.), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and leader of the martyrs of Islam.
On June 13, 2016, Torkham, along Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Agency was under intense fire from Afghan National Army posts who were trying to impede the construction of a gate inside Pakistani territory. Pakistan had so far exercised restraint; nevertheless, it seemed impossible to convince the Afghanis for the same. When he heard the news of escalation while sitting at his home, he made a decision: “I have to go back”. In the next two hours, he was at Landi Kotal and shortly thereafter reached Torkham. His commander was a bit puzzled since he thought that he was on leave. But, his answer was crystal clear, “Sir, it is the time when my unit needs me more than my family.” And there, he was, at the frontline.
Ali Jawwad Khan belonged to Hazara community of Quetta, Balochistan. Born in 1968 at Kharian – where his father, Brig Khadim Hussain was posted at that time – Maj Jawad was eldest of three brothers and a sister. His father later rose to more prominence as the first commissioner of Afghan refugees in Balochistan, helping a large number of Afghans including some prominent ones.
Ali Jawwad Khan followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who was also a soldier, and joined Pakistan Army as a cadet in 1988 joining Pakistan Military Academy with 82nd Long Course. Jawwad found some excellent instructors including General Raheel Shareef, who was a major at that time and serving as an instructor at the military academy. These instructors honed his raw skills and converted him into the leader of men. He proved their hard work almost 26 years after the passing out by laying his life for his beloved country.
He joined the prestigious armour regiment of Pakistan Army – the 11 Cavalry (Frontier Force) after passing out. His colleagues were soon impressed with his fine demeanour and humble nature. He was always on the forefront and would remain cheerful. While, his seniors adored him, he was idolized by his juniors. In the unit, he was an easily accessible officer, ready to help his under command. He was fond of reading, hunting and hiking. According to his brother Major Asad, “He was a fair man who never did any wrong to anyone.” According to his colleagues and friends, Major Jawwad accepted the extension after completing his compulsory service, since he wanted to serve the country in a war zone, a dream of every soldier. His friend, unit officer and long time room-mate, Major Zafar Rao spoke fondly about him, “Despite being son of a brigadier, he had to borrow money from canteen to buy a cycle.” He also remembers him being attached with School of Armour and Mechanized Warfare, as an instructor, even before doing his basic course. He was an extremely honest officer, son of an even more honest father. Although, his father served on lucrative appointments including Health Minister of Balochistan, the family does not own even a house at Quetta or anywhere else. Ali Jawwad remained proud of his father and followed blindly the ideals taught by him, while looking after his brothers and sisters after death of his father.
I first met Major Ali Jawwad on a chilly evening of January 2014 at a forward post in Tirah Valley. His soft voice and his laughter still echoes in my ears. Despite being senior in service, he would call me ‘Sir’. When I objected, he simply said, “Sir you are senior in rank.” In next few days, he had won the respect of many in the Wing. He was being seen everywhere, moving from one post to the other; motivating troops, guiding them about true teachings of Islam, meeting the locals to keep them united against terrorists and still finding time to read voraciously. He was also a true family man, who would talk about his children with lots of love. "He was a loving father, a caring husband, a respectful son and an adorable brother; who even dropped a promotion course because he wanted to take care of his ailing father," said his brother.
And then came June 16, Maj Jawwad was standing beside his tank at Torkham, observing, orientating, adjusting, directing fire and retaliating against a neighbour who had seldom been an enemy. Finally, it was time to move, a moment he was waiting for many past years. He received the bullet and went down fighting, never to return back. He was mourned by complete country and is still remembered by the nation, which awarded him with Tamgha-e-Jurrat in recognition of his supreme sacrifice. Today, his two sons and two daughters feel proud of their father. They want to follow the footsteps of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Soldiering and love for Pakistan is in their blood and no one can deter them from their passion. His brothers and sister also miss him a lot, since he was like a father to them after the death of their father. His brother Maj Ali Asad truly expressed his feelings while talking to Dawn, “the first time we strongly felt the absence of our [late] father was the moment we lowered Jawad’s body into the grave; we have lost our father in him,”
http://hilal.gov.pk/index.php/layouts/item/2301-the-smiling-angel-ali-jawwad-khan
