Iftikhar Khan
Major General Mohammad Iftikhar Khan psc (Urdu: محمد افتخار خان; 10 January 1909 — 13 December 1949) also known as Ifti, was a two-star general in the Pakistan Army serving as GOC 10th Division. Prior to the Partition of British India, he was an officer in the British Indian Army. He was the most senior to succeed General Douglas Gracey as the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, but unfortunately was killed in a C-53 crash with 22 others, including his wife and infant daughter before he could take office leading to Ayub Khan being appointed instead.
Mohammad Iftikhar Khan | |
|---|---|
| محمد افتخار خان | |
Official military portrait | |
| GOC 10th Infantry Division Lahore | |
| In office 1 January 1948 – 13 December 1949 | |
| Commanding Officer 7th Light Cavalry to Occupation of Japan | |
| In office 12 September 1946 – December 1946 | |
| 2IC 45th Cavalry | |
| In office 1945 – 11 September 1946 | |
| General Staff Officer Grade II Army Staff College | |
| In office July 1943 – April 1944 | |
| General Staff Officer Grade II Ceylon Army Command Headquarters | |
| In office January 1943 – July 1943 | |
| No.2 Indian Armoured Corps Training Center | |
| In office 17 December 1941 – January 1943 | |
| Regimental Adjutant | |
| In office 19 April 1938 – 5 August 1940 | |
| Regimental Quartermaster | |
| In office 1 August 1937 – 18 April 1938 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 January 1909 Chakwal, Punjab Province (British India) |
| Died | 13 December 1949 (aged 40) Karo Jabal mountain, Sindh, Dominion of Pakistan |
| Cause of death | Pakair C-53 crash |
| Spouse | Begum Iftikhar |
| Relations | Muhammed Akbar Khan (brother) Muhammad Anwar Khan (brother) Muhammed Zafar Khan (brother) Masud Khan (brother) |
| Education |
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| Nickname | Ifti |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | British India (1929-1947) Pakistan (1947-1949) |
| Branch/service | British Indian Army (1929-1947) Pakistan Army (1947-1949) |
| Years of service | 1929–1949 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (1929-1930) 7th Light Cavalry 3rd Cavalry |
| Commands |
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| Battles/wars |
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Major General Pataudi, a close friend of Iftikhar, claimed that Iftikhar was concerned about the politicization of officers and he distrusted politicians. According to him, Iftikhar once stated that ‘it would be better for both of us if we both got out before our hands were stained and garments polluted’. Additionally, Pataudi believed that if Iftikhar had lived to be C-in-C, "he would not have allowed the Army to be used for political purposes and ‘would have never used his position as C-in-C, to come into power through the Army".