Taj Muhammad Khattak
Taj Muhammad Khattak (Urdu: تاج محمد خٹک; born 20 February 1948), HI(M). SI(M), SJ, is a retired three-star rank admiral in the Pakistan Navy and a defence analyst, writing columns in the political correspondent, News International.[2]
In addition, he also served as chairman of the Port Qasim Authority from 2002 until 2005, while serving in active duty with the Navy.[3]
Biography
[edit | edit source]Taj Muhammad Khattak was born in Montgomery, now Sahiwal, Punjab in Pakistan into a Punjabi-Pathan family on 20 February 1948.: 881 [4] After his matriculation, he attended the Cadet College in Hasan Abdal and joined the Pakistan Navy in 1965 as Sub-Lieutenant.[5]
He participated well in the second war with India in 1965, and went to train with the Royal Navy to complete his military training, specializing in navigation.: 881 [4] In 1969, the Military Academy in Kakul awarded him the Sword of Honour for the best graduates of the academy.: 881 [4]
In 1969–70, Lt Khattak was posted in East-Pakistan, joining the crew of PNS Jessor, a gunboat, and served in the Naaf River that located in the East Pakistan–Burma border.[6] He participated in the military operation in Barisal, and notably securing the Biharis who were loyal to Pakistan.[6]
In 1971, Lt. Khattak became the commanding officer of the PNS Jessor, the gunboat, serving and fighting in the Khulna-Mangla-Barisal sector during the civil war in East Pakistan.[6] After the surrendering of the Eastern Command in 1971, Lt. Khattak was taken war prisoner by the Indian Army and held in India for two years.[6] His efforts and action of valor won him the praise from the government, and was honoured with Sitara-i-Jurat in 1971 in his absence.[1] Cdr Khattak served as a commanding officer in the surface warship command, commanding various warships during his career in 1970s.: 135 [7]
Upon his repatriated to Pakistan in 1973, and was directed to attend the National Defence University in Islamabad where he attained MSc. in Strategic studies.: 881 [4]
In 1990, Commodore Khattak was appointed Naval Secretary at the Navy NHQ, working under Chief of Naval Staff Admiral SM Khan.: 145 [7]
His staff appointments included his appointment at the Ministry of Ports and Shipping as an additional secretary, as well as director-general at the Ministry of Communications in 1990s.: 881 [4] In 1997, he was promoted as two-star rank admiral, subsequently moved in the Navy NHQ, to be appointed as DCNS (Projects), and later DCNS (Materials) in 1998–99.: 881 [4]
In 1999, Rear-Admiral Khattak was appointed as Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) in the Navy and later elevated as a senior fleet commander in 2000–2001.: 226–228 [7] In 2002, he was promoted to three-star rank, Vice-Admiral, while serving as the senior fleet commander, Commander Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK).[8]
On 26 June 2002, Vice-Admiral Khattak was appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Staff with an immediate effect.[9] Shortly, after his appointment, the Government of Pakistan announced to promote Vice-Admiral Shahid Karimullah as a four-star admiral in the Navy, subsequently appointing him as Chief of Naval Staff on 3 October 2002.[10] The promotion was controversial since Vice-Admiral Khattak was senior to Admiral Karim.ee.[9] Following the news, Vice-Admiral Khattak was then moved as secondment and took over the chairmanship of Port Qasim Authority, which he served until he seek retirement in 2005.[11][3]
After retiring, he became a defence columnist, writing on country's major political correspondents and currently authoring articles on defence magazines.[2][12]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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External links
[edit | edit source]
- Living people
- 1948 births
- Cadet College Hasan Abdal alumni
- Pakistan Military Academy alumni
- People from Sahiwal
- Pakistani military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
- Pakistani prisoners of war
- National Defence University, Pakistan alumni
- Academic staff of the National Defence University, Pakistan
- Pakistan Navy vice admirals
- Recipients of Sitara-e-Jurat
- Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz
- Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz
- Bangladesh Liberation War prisoners of war