Sana Ullah Khan Niazi | |
---|---|
ثناء اللہ خان نیازی | |
GOC 17th Infantry Division Swat and Malakand | |
In office February 2013[1] – 15 September 2013 | |
Succeeded by | Ghulam Qamar (temporarily)[2] Javed Mahmood Bukhari[3] |
Personal details | |
Born | Daud Khel, Mianwali, West Pakistan | 10 September 1960
Died | 15 September 2013 Upper Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | (aged 53)
Resting place | Daud Khel |
Relations | Amin Ullah Khan (brother)[4] Imran Khan (cousin)[5] |
Children | 2[6] |
Education | Officers Training School, Mangla Command and Staff College Quetta National Defence University, Pakistan National Defense University (Republic of China) |
Known for | |
Awards | COAS Cane (1983) Sitara-e-Basalat (2014) Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military) (2015) |
Nickname | Soldiers’ General[9] |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Pakistan |
Branch/service | Pakistan Army |
Years of service | 1983–2013 |
Rank | Major General |
Unit | 11 Baloch Regiment |
Commands | List of Commands
|
Battles/wars | Sierra Leone Civil War UNAVEM III UNOMSIL |
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]
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 Swat's history.[14][15]
He is the brother of former MPA Amin Ullah Khan and cousin of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.[16][5]
He had taken over as GOC Swat and Malakand Division in February 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.
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.
three brothers namely DIG Quetta Rehmatullah Khan Niazi, Madad Khan and Aminullah Khan.
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.
Maj-Gen Sana is survived by a widow, two daughters.
"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.
Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi was instrumental in restoring peace and the writ of the state in the volatile region of Upper Dir.
Soldiers' General, as he was commonly known.
Soldiers' General, as he was commonly known.
Following officers and men have been conferred with Sitara-e-Basalat, Maj Gen Sana Ullah Khan (Shaheed).
Following is the list of those who received military awards: HILAL-I-IMTIAZ (MILITARY): Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi (late).
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.
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.
three brothers namely DIG Quetta Rehmatullah Khan Niazi, Madad Khan and Aminullah Khan.