Abdul Hamid Khan (general)


Abdul Hamid Khan, , was a senior officer in the Pakistan Army, serving as the Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Army under President Yahya Khan and leading the army during the events in the Indo-Pakistani War in 1971.

Early career

Abdul Hamid Khan was born 29 April 1917. He attended the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on the Special List 15 July 1939 and was initially attached to the Somerset Light Infantry for experience from 11 August 1939. His date of commission was later antedated to 28 August 1938 and he was promoted Lieutenant 28 November 1940. He was admitted to the Indian Army 27 August 1940. He was appointed acting Captain then temporary Captain on 23 December 1940. He had been posted to 3rd battalion 10th Baluch Regiment by October 1942.
He was promoted war substantive Captain and temporary Major 3 February 1944. He was briefly an acting Lieut-Col 15 August to 18 October 1945. He had attended a war time staff course.
During the Partition of India, he chose to fight for the Pakistan Army in 1947 and was promoted Lt-Col commanding 6th battalion Baluch Regiment April 1948 - November 1948. He was then appointed Lt-Col commanding 3rd battalion Baluch Regiment from November 1948 to December 1949.

Career in the Yahya Government

After the war, Abdul Hamid Khan was promoted to Lieutenant General and served as the commander of I Corps, then based in Kharian. After martial law was imposed by General Yahya Khan on 25 March 1969, Lt Gen Hamid Khan was made the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army and Deputy Martial Law Administrator of the country. During that time he briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Home Affairs for four months. He was promoted to full general on August 1969 and was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Army or in other sense the de facto commander-in-chief of the army in place of Yahya as he was the President.