Sanaullah Khan Niazi

Major General Sana Ullah Khan Niazi psc, afwc, HI(M), SBt (Pashto, Urdu: ثناء اللہ خان نیازی;10 September 1960 — 15 September 2013) also known as Soldiers’ General, was a two-star rank general in the Pakistan Army serving as GOC 17th Division, Malakand who lost his life in a roadside blast. He was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat and Hilal-e-Imtiaz (M) on Pakistan Day in 2014 and 2015.[10][11][12][13]

Shaheed
Major General
Sana Ullah Khan Niazi
HI(M), SBt
ثناء اللہ خان نیازی
GOC 17th Infantry Division
Swat and Malakand
In office
February 2013[1] – 15 September 2013
Succeeded byGhulam Qamar (temporarily)[2]
Javed Mahmood Bukhari[3]
Personal details
Born(1960-09-10)10 September 1960
Daud Khel, Mianwali, West Pakistan
Died15 September 2013(2013-09-15) (aged 53)
Upper Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Resting placeDaud Khel
Spousemarried
RelationsAmin Ullah Khan (brother)[4]
Imran Khan (cousin)[5]
Children2[6]
Parent
  • Khan Ikhlas Khan (father)
Education
Known for
Awards Hilal-i-Imtiaz (M)
Sitara-e-Basalat
COAS Cane (1983)
NicknameSoldiers’ General[9]
Military service
Allegiance Pakistan
Branch/servicePakistan Army
Years of service1983–2013
Rank Major General
Unit11 Baloch Regiment
Commands
List of Commands
Battles/warsSierra Leone Civil War
UNAVEM III
UNOMSIL

He is renowned for clearing the Malakand District division of terrorists in less than seven months and overseeing the security of 50,000 tourists. Additionally, he was known for launching a sports Gala and reopening the Kabal Golf Course for the youth of Swat, which subsequently led to the valley holding a national golf tournament after 20 years as well as an art exhibition for the first time in Swats history.[14][15]

He is the brother of former MPA Amin Ullah Khan and cousin of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.[16][5]

Early life

He was born on 10 September 1960 in Daud Khel, Mianwali into a Pakhtun Niazi family. His father was SSP Khan Ikhlas Khan, a notorious police officer who served in Quetta for most of his career and was known as "fearless" for arresting Nawab Akbar Bugti in the 1970s.[17]

Family

He has 3 brothers, Rehmat Ullah Khan Niazi who at the time of Sanas passing was serving as Deputy IG Quetta Police, Amin Ullah Khan and Madad Khan.[18] One of his paternal cousins is cricket legend and former PM of Pakistan Imran Khan.[5]

Personal life

Sanaullah is survived by his widow and two daughters.[19]

Personality and interests

Colonel Moeen Yusuf Khan, one of his former staff officers, stated Sanaullah was "a difficult man to make angry and very easy to make happy." Moeen also writes that Sana was very fond of cars.[20]

Military career

Upon completing the 12th OTS course on 11 December 1983, he was commissioned into the army in the 11 Baloch Regiment. He was awarded the COAS cane by Zia-ul-Haq for achieving second place in the course.[21][22]

On 9 September 2013, he inaugurated the Jashn-i-Kumrat sports festival in Upper Dir and gave a speech to the 3,000 participants that terrorists wouldn't be allowed to disturb the peace. He added that the festival would promote peace and tourism in the area.[23]

Military schooling

He graduated from the Officers Training School in Mangla in 1983, Pakistan Command and Staff College in 1994, National Defence University, Pakistan, and the National Defense University (Republic of China) in 2012.[24]

Legacy

He was credited for establishing peace along with reviving tourism in the Swat Valley. Further known for working tirelessly in the recovery efforts and bringing back the residents of Swat Valley who were evacuated after the army launched an operation to clear the area from the occupation of terrorists.

He is known as the pioneer of the Malam Jabba Snow Festival, which was the first cultural event that took place after the military operation against the terrorists.

In a short span of seven months, he cleared the Malakand division of terrorists and oversaw the security of 50,000 tourists. He launched a sports Gala for the youth of Swat and reopened the Kabal Golf Course which subsequently led to Swat Valley holding a national golf tournament for the first time in 20 years. Additionally, an art exhibition took place for the first time in Swat's history.[25][26]

Death

After staying two nights above 10,000ft at Malatar troop post to boost the morale of soldiers following a deadly attack a year previously which killed 18 soldiers, Sanaullah and Lt Col Touseef Ahmed were travelling to the Battalion Headquarters of 33 Baloch which Touseef was the Commanding Officer of, from the Upper Dir District along the Afghan border when their vehicle drove over a bomb at 12:30pm planted by the Pakistani Taliban killing them along with their driver Lance Naik Irfan Sattar (33 Baloch) and injuring Havildar Ilyas and DQ21 Havildar Ghaffar. They were all airlifed to a military hospital in Rawalpindi.[27][28][29][30]

Funeral

His Janaza along with the other victims was held on 16 September 2013 and attended by army personnel, police officers, politicians and civilians.[31]

Military personnel laid floral wreaths on his grave on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain, COAS Kayani, CAS Tahir, CNS Asif, and CJCSC Khalid.[32]

At an event later that evening, Kayani stated, “The General Officer has set towering example of leading from the front which is hallmark of leadership in Pakistan Army, we all salute his bravery.”[33]

Aftermath

In June 2018, the terrorist that planned the attack was killed in Afghanistan by a drone strike from the United States Army.[34][35]

The terrorist that planted the device was arrested and sentenced to death by the COAS on 15 December 2018.[36]

Memorials

Sanaullah Colony, Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Cricket tournament, Maj Gen Sanaullah Memorial Football tournament, Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Toll Plaza, and Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Interchange are named after him.[37][38]

Effective dates of promotion
InsigniaRankDate
Major GeneralJuly 2012[39]
BrigadierApril 2007[40]
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Second LieutenantDecember 1983

Awards & Decorations
Hilal-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)
(Posthumously)

2015

 Sitara-e-Basalat

(Star of Good Conduct)
(Posthumously)
2014

COAS Cane

(12th OTS)

1983

 Jamhuriat Tamgha

(Democracy Medal)

1988

 Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha

(Resolution Day)

(Golden Jubilee Medal)

1990

 Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan

(Independence Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1997

Tamgha-e-Baqa

(Nuclear Test Medal)

1998

 UNAVEM III
(UNMO Medal)
(2 deployments)		 UNOMSIL Medal
(Contingent Commander)
(2 deployments)		 Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan

(Escalation with India Medal)

2002

Command & Staff College Quetta

Instructor's Medal

 Tamgha-e-Diffa

(General Service Medal)

Siachen Glacier Clasp

 10 Years Service Medal 20 Years Service Medal


Foreign decorations
Foreign Awards
 UN UNAVEM III Angola
 UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone

References
  1. "Major General Sanaullah: Ode to a fallen Swat patron". tribune.com.pk. 15 September 2013. He had taken over as GOC Swat and Malakand Division in February 2013.
  2. "Kayani gives go-ahead for Dir operation". nation.com.pk. 22 September 2013. The planned military operation in Upper Dir is to be led by the GOC 19 Infantry Div, Major General Ghulam Qamar, who has been assigned the additional charge of 17 Infantry Div.
  3. "Gen Bukhari to succeed slain GOC". dawn.com. 24 September 2013. Maj Gen Javed Mahmood Bukhari, currently commander of the 8th Division in Sialkot, has been appointed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 17th Infantry Division, which is operating in Swat, in place of Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi.
  4. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". www.dawn.com. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2023. three brothers namely DIG Quetta Rehmatullah Khan Niazi, Madad Khan and Aminullah Khan.
  5. "History of Zaman Park, its illustrious residents". www.thenews.com.pk. 7 March 2023. One of Imran's distant family relatives was Major General Bilal Omar Khan, who had embraced martyrdom in the 2009 Rawalpindi mosque attack. Another relative was Major General Sanaullah Khan Niazi, who had perished in a bomb blast in 2013.
  6. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". www.dawn.com. 17 September 2013. Maj-Gen Sana is survived by a widow, two daughters.
  7. {{cite news |title=Major General Sanaullah: Ode to a fallen Swat patron|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/604912/ode-to-a-fallen-swat-patron%7Cwork=tribune.com.pk%7Cdate=15 September 2013|language=en|quote=“He was a great leader. He was fully aware of all aspects and contexts of the region,” says a Lieutenant Colonel, who worked under the GOC’s supervision. “He not only established peace in the area but promoted its culture and launched multiple development projects.” The GOC realised the importance of development and social activities for a successful counterinsurgency programme and post-conflict rehabilitation.}
  8. "Stronger responded needed". dawn.com. 18 September 2013. Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi was instrumental in restoring peace and the writ of the state in the volatile region of Upper Dir.
  9. "We Shan't Forget You". hilal.gov.pk. 1 September 2020. Soldiers' General, as he was commonly known.
  10. "Senior Pakistani General Is Killed in Insurgent Attack". nytimes.com. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  11. "We Shan't Forget You". hilal.gov.pk. 1 September 2020. Soldiers' General, as he was commonly known.
  12. "No PR-61/2014-ISPR". ispr.gov.pk. 23 March 2014. Following officers and men have been conferred with Sitara-e-Basalat, Maj Gen Sana Ullah Khan (Shaheed).
  13. "Peshawar school victims among 112 recipients of awards". dawn.com. 24 March 2015. Following is the list of those who received military awards: HILAL-I-IMTIAZ (MILITARY): Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi (late).
  14. "Ashfaq wins Swat Open Golf tournament". nation.com.pk. 1 September 2013. Mehmood Khan was the chief guest while Commanding Officer Malakand Division Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi, dignitaries of the valley, other civil and military officers were also present. Later, Minister Mehmood and Maj Gen Sanaullah distributed prizes among the players and officials.
  15. "Major General Sanaullah: Ode to a fallen Swat patron". tribune.com.pk. 15 September 2013. Moreover, he created and launched the Malam Jabba Snow Festival in which he invited tourists and athletes from all across the country to take part in the games. The festival also created employment for the area. But he didn't stop there. Tourists thronged the Swat Summer Festival, the first cultural event that took place after Swat's battle against militancy. Maj Gen Sanullah oversaw its arrangement. Within no time, he ensured the security of more than 50,000 tourists, which also helped in the revival of the local hotel industry. He also launched a Sports Gala for the youth in Swat. Committed to sports, he reopened the Kabal Golf Course and Swat held a national golf tournament last month featuring 200 players for the first time in 20 years. An art exhibition also took place – for the first time in Swat's history.
  16. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". www.dawn.com. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2023. three brothers namely DIG Quetta Rehmatullah Khan Niazi, Madad Khan and Aminullah Khan.
  17. "Stronger responded needed". dawn.com. 18 September 2013. Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi was instrumental in restoring peace and the writ of the state in the volatile region of Upper Dir. The son of a fearless superintendent of police in Quetta in the 1970s who had the courage to arrest a nawab chief minister
  18. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". www.dawn.com. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2023. three brothers namely DIG Quetta Rehmatullah Khan Niazi, Madad Khan and Aminullah Khan.
  19. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". www.dawn.com. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2023. Maj-Gen Sana is survived by a widow, two daughters.
  20. "We Shan't Forget You". hilal.gov.pk. 1 September 2020. He was a person who was "difficult to make angry, very easy to make happy". Always fond of cars.
  21. https://www.hilal.gov.pk/uploads/ebook/pdf/6f4922f45568161a8cdf4ad2299f6d23.pdf#page=206
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502135319/http://nativepakistan.com/sword-of-honour-and-coas-cane-winners-at-ots-kohat-ots-mangla/
  23. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". www.dawn.com. 10 September 2013. Army has secured the western borders of the country by thwarting the nefarious designs of terrorists, says Maj-Gen Sanaullah Niazi. He said that terrorists wouldn't be allowed to disturb peace of the area. Militants wanted to disturb peace of the region as proxies of some forces, he added. Maj-Gen Sanaullah, who commands security forces in Malakand division, visited Dir to inaugurate Jashn-i-Kumrat, a sports festival, the other day.
  24. https://web.archive.org/web/20170723201150/http://armystaffcollege.gov.pk/Hist_Roll_of_honour.php
  25. "Ashfaq wins Swat Open Golf tournament". nation.com.pk. 1 September 2013. Mehmood Khan was the chief guest while Commanding Officer Malakand Division Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi, dignitaries of the valley, other civil and military officers were also present. Later, Minister Mehmood and Maj Gen Sanaullah distributed prizes among the players and officials.
  26. "Major General Sanaullah: Ode to a fallen Swat patron". tribune.com.pk. 15 September 2013. Moreover, he created and launched the Malam Jabba Snow Festival in which he invited tourists and athletes from all across the country to take part in the games. The festival also created employment for the area. But he didn't stop there. Tourists thronged the Swat Summer Festival, the first cultural event that took place after Swat's battle against militancy. Maj Gen Sanullah oversaw its arrangement. Within no time, he ensured the security of more than 50,000 tourists, which also helped in the revival of the local hotel industry. He also launched a Sports Gala for the youth in Swat. Committed to sports, he reopened the Kabal Golf Course and Swat held a national golf tournament last month featuring 200 players for the first time in 20 years. An art exhibition also took place – for the first time in Swat's history.
  27. "Major General Sanaullah, Col Tauseef &LN Irfan laid to rest with military honours". Brecorder. 16 September 2013.
  28. Agencies, Dawn com (15 September 2013). "PM condoles, TTP claims responsibility for killing of Major General in KP". DAWN.COM.
  29. "No PR-140/2013-ISPR". Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan (Press release).
  30. "Body-blow?: Jolt to embryonic peace process". tribune.com.pk. 15 September 2013. Lt Tauseef was commanding officer (CO) of 33 Baloch Regiment. Other troops pulled out the bodies from the wreckage which were subsequently airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi, he added. He identified the two injured officers as HAV Ilyas and DQ21 HAV Ghaffar.
  31. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". dawn.com. 17 September 2013. His funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people, including Maj-Gen Obaidullah Khan, Maj-Gen Abid Hasan, Maj-Gen Ahmed Mehmood Hayat, Brig Sajid Raza, retired and serving armed forces personnel, notables from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, politicians, DCO and the Mianwali DPO.
  32. "Maj-Gen Sanaullah laid to rest". dawn.com. 17 September 2013. Army personnel laid floral wreaths on the grave of Sanaullah Khan Niazi on behalf of the president, chief of army staff, chief of air staff, chief of naval staff and chairman joint chief of staff committee.
  33. "Army not to bow before terrorists terms, vows Kayani". dawn.com. 16 September 2013. Maj-Gen Sanaullah was the commander of the forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's militancy-hit Malakand division. "The General Officer has set towering example of leading from the front which is hallmark of leadership in Pakistan Army," said Kayani according to the ISPR statement. "We all salute his bravery."
  34. "Pakistan's top commanders". dawn.com. 9 July 2015. Fazlullah has been the mastermind behind various high profile attacks including the brutal Peshawar school attack as well as the killing of GoC Swat Major General Sanaullah Khan Niazi.
  35. "Pakistani Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah killed in U.S airstrike in Afghanistan". washingtonpost.com. 15 June 2018. A U.S. drone strike killed the head of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan's eastern Konar province, Afghan officials said Friday, eliminating a notorious insurgent commander
  36. "Chief of Army Staff (COAS) confirmed the death sentence awarded to 15 hardcore terrorists". ispr.gov.pk. 16 December 2018. The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies and Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Major General Sana Ullah Khan, Lieutenant Colonel Tauseef Ahmed, Naib Subedar Muhammad Aslam and 18 soldiers. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.
  37. "We Shan't Forget You". hilal.gov.pk. 1 September 2020. One of the Colonies in Kharian Cantonment is named after him.
  38. "Passion for football sees thousands turn up for final of local tournament". dawn.com. 24 November 2015. Despite meagre facilities, thousands of football fans turned up to witness the final of the Major General Sanaullah Memorial Football Tournament here on Monday.
  39. "Army Promotion Board: 19 brigadiers promoted as majors general". www.tribune.com.pk. 14 July 2012. According to a statement issued by the ISPR, the names of brigadiers promoted to the rank of major general are Umar Farooq Barki, Shafiq, Musarrat Nawaz, Naseer Ali Khan, M Irshad, Samrez Salik, Akhtar Jamal Rao, Sanaullah.
  40. "Commanders to discuss security tomorrow". dawn.com. 15 April 2007. During the last two days of the conference, the Army Promotion Board will take up promotion cases of senior army officers. Some 100 lieutenant-colonels would be promoted to the rank of colonel and 40 colonels to the rank of brigadiers, the sources said.
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