Masood Aslam
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| Masood Aslam | |
|---|---|
| born September 1, 1952 (age 55) | |
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| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Service/branch | Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1971– |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | Infantry (Punjab Regiment) |
| Commands held | IG Training and Evaluation XI Corps (Peshawar) |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 Siachen conflict 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff Waziristan War |
| Awards | Sitara-e-Jurat Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) |
Lieutenant General Muhammad Masood Aslam SJ (born September 1, 1952) is the principal commander of Pakistan Army fighting the pro-Taliban forces in the Waziristan theater, part of War Against Terror. He is currently commanding XI Corps and is in charge of all the military and para-military troops stationed in the northwestern Pakistan.[1]
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[edit] Initial education
Lt Gen Masood Aslam was born in Mujahidabad, Jhelum in the northern Punjab. He got his primary education from Presentation Convent High School, Jhelum and Government High School, Jhelum. By the year 1965, he joined Cadet College Hasan Abdal and graduated with brilliant marks in engineering field. However, instead of pursuing career in engineering, he decided to serve as an Army officer and joined the Pakistan Military Academy in 1970.
[edit] Army career
[edit] Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
He was commissioned in the Infantry's Punjab Regiment on 14 November 1971 in the 47th PMA Long Course as his course was shortened due to Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Within a few weeks of commissioning, he was seriously wounded fighting in the front lines at Chumb-Jaurian sector. He was awarded Imtiazi Sanad (certificate of honor) for his efforts and gallantry.
[edit] Military training
He was among the pioneer officers who established the computer branch at the GHQ in mid 1970s. He is a graduate of Command and Staff College, Quetta and holds a Masters Degree in Military Warfare from the National Defence College, Islamabad. He has also attended overseas courses including UN peace keeping course from Sweden and Strategic Studies course from Hawaii, United States.[2]
[edit] 1987 Siachen Conflict and 1999 Kargil War
He served at Siachen for more than a year in the early days of Siachen conflict with India. He established military posts at Siachen and served at glaciated heights of around 20,000 feet. As a Lt. Col, he commanded an Infantry battalion at Okara and then as a Brigadier, commanded two infantry brigades, one of which was at Kargil. He was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat for his extraordinary service and bravery by the then President Rafiq Tarar, after the Kargil encounter.
[edit] 2001-02 military standoff and staff assignments
He commanded an Infantry Division on the LOC during the period of escalation, when Indian and Pakistani troops were tied up face to face in a very tense warlike state for two full years in 2001-03. He also served as GOC Jhelum. He then served as the Director General NAB (Punjab), and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in 2005 and posted as Inspector General Training and Evaluation.
[edit] Commander XI Corps
In July 2007, Lt. Gen Masood Aslam took charge of the sensitive post of Corps Commander Peshawar, replacing Lt Gen Hamid Khan. This was period when Pakistan Army launched military operation against the vigilantes of Lal Masjid in Islamabad that followed with a rising trend of terrorist attacks throughout Pakistan, mostly emanating from the rugged lands of Waziristan and the surrounding tribal regions. A counter-terrorist operation was then launched under the general which included 2007 Taliban Waziristan offensive, Battle of Mir Ali, and Battle of Swat[3].
[edit] References
- ^ New Postings and Promotions. Retrieved on 2007-04-17.
- ^ Profile of Generals. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
- ^ Battles rage on Pakistan border. BBC (2007-10-09). Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
[edit] Sources
- Pakistan's Lesson from its Kargil War: An Analysis (1999) by Shireen M. Mazari
