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Bilal Omer Khan

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Shaheed
Major General
Bilal Omer Khan
HI(M) SBt
بلال عمر خان
Director General
Pakistan Armoured Corps
In office
February 2009 – 4 December 2009
Personal details
Born(1954-02-03)3 February 1954
Died4 December 2009(2009-12-04) (aged 55)
Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Resting placeWestridge Army Graveyard, Rawalpindi
SpouseNabeela Bilal
RelationsJaved Burki (cousin)
Imran Khan (cousin)
Majid Khan (cousin)[1]
Children3[1]
EducationAbbottabad Public School[2]
Pakistan Military Academy
Command and Staff College Quetta
University of Denver (MA)
NicknameBilly[3]
Military service
Branch/service Pakistan Army
Years of service1973–2009
Rank Major General
Unit19th Lancers
CommandsPakistan Armoured Corps[4]
Pakistan Rangers[5][6]
11th Infantry Division (PAK)
111th Infantry Brigade[3]
Battles/wars
AwardsHilal-i-Imtiaz (2006)[7]
Sitara-e-Basalat (2010)
Marco Polo Sheep Trophy[3]
Service numberPA-16264

Major General Bilal Omer Khan HI(M) SBt (Pashto, Urdu:بلال عمر خان; 3 February 1954 – 4 December 2009) known affectionately as Billy was a two-star rank general in the Pakistan Army who died in the December 2009 Rawalpindi attack along with 39 others.[4] He was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat on Pakistan Day 2010.[8][9] His cousin is the former Prime Minister Imran Khan.[10][11][12]

He held the positions of Director General Armoured Corps (Pakistan), Director General Plans and Operations at JS HQ (Pakistan), Commander 11th Infantry Division (PAK), Commander 10th Infantry Division, and Commander 111th Infantry Brigade.[3][13][14][15]

On 23 August 2005, as the GOC 10 Division, Bilal was the chief guest at the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pepsi National School Cricket Tournament, where Ibrahim Ali Bhai School Karachi competed against Government High School Nanakpura Peshawar.[16]

Early life and family

[edit]

Bilal Omar Khan was born on 3 February 1954 to a respected Burki Pashtun family. His father Omer Khan, was a retired Colonel in the Pakistan Army and was the founding father of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories depot in Havelian. Bilal has one brother, Talha Omer who retired as a major in the Pakistan Army and a sister Yasmin Salman Omer. Bilal grew up in Lalazar Colony Rawalpindi and later attended the Abbottabad Public School.[2] Including Bilal and Talha, the Burki family has produced several military officials and cricketers such as Wajid Ali Khan Burki, Javed Burki, Imran Khan, and Majid Khan.[17]

Personal life

[edit]

Bilal married Nabeela and has two sons, Arsalan Omer Khan, Ibrahim Omer Khan, and a daughter Zahra Omer Khan.[17][3][18]

Once Bilal Omer, along with his wife and driver, experienced a car accident in Lahore Cantonment. The driver suffered a fatal heart attack and passed away at the scene. Bilal's swift action of moving from the backseat to the front prevented significant damage to the car and saved both his wife and himself.[17]

Personally, Bilal enjoyed the games of Polo, Tennis, Squash, gaining recognition among peers and family for his skills as a player and was also known for his hunting abilities.[3]

As President of Pakistan Polo Association and Equestrian Federation of Pakistan, he represented Pakistan at the 2007 Polo World Cup in New Zealand.[1]

Military career

[edit]

From the 50th PMA course, Bilal was commissioned into the army in the 19th Lancers on 27 October 1974.[17] On 8 July 1980, he was called back to the Pakistan Army's 23 Division and relinquished the charge of General Staff Officer - Grade III at FC Baluchistan.[19]

He graduated from the Command and Staff College Quetta in 1986[20] and later went to Saudi Arabia after completing mid-level infantry officers course. Afterwards, he received his Master of Arts in International relations from the University of Denver.[17]

As a lieutenant colonel, he was battalion commander of the 2nd Pakistan Battalion (Quaid-i-Azam's own).[17]

On 16 January 2004, the Pakistan Army selection board reviewed 104 brigadiers and deemed 18 fit for promotion to Major General, including Bilal, constituting 2.2% of those commissioned in 1974-75.[21]

Bilal placed a floral wreath at the Tomb of Allama Iqbal to pay homage to the great poet-philosopher of the East on Defence Day 2004.[22]

Notably, General Bilal welcomed Chief of the Turkish General Staff Hilmi Özkök and a delegation at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on 8 March 2005.[23]

On 5 April 2008, DG O&P Bilal Omer Khan and other senior officials of JS HQ (Pakistan) welcomed Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Tariq Majid at the Islamabad Airport.[24]

Death

[edit]
Main article: December 2009 Rawalpindi attack

On 4 December 2009, a terrorist attack occurred at the Parade Lane Mosque while Bilal and other worshippers were praying namaz. During the attack, Bilal's son, Arsalan, says Bilal tried to disarm one of the terrorists, allowing others to escape. In an interview, Arsalan shared that the neighbor's driver told him about General Bilal grappling with the terrorist's gun. Bilal reportedly exclaimed, "Are you going to kill kids?" He mentioned that his father was shot in the neck from behind by another terrorist at point blank range and grenade shrapnel was later discovered in his legs.[25][1]

Arsalan further told The Express Tribune, "when I went to recover my father's body from the mosque, I saw my father lay there with his hand under his head as though he was in a peaceful slumber."[1] Bilal is buried at the Westridge Army Graveyard in Rawalpindi.[3]

Legacy

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Bilal Omer Shaheed Colony - Parade Lane, Major General Bilal Omer Shaheed Tennis Championship, and Maj. Gen. Bilal Omer Khan Shaheed Memorial Polo Cup 2009 held from 29 December 2009 to 3 January 2010, are all named after him.[1][26][27]

Awards & Decorations

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Parachutist Badge
Hilal-i-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)

2006

Sitara-e-Basalat

(Star of Valour)
Posthumously
2010

Tamgha-e-Baqa

(Nuclear Test Medal)

1998

Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan

(Escalation with India Medal)

2002

10 Years Service Medal 20 Years Service Medal
30 Years Service Medal 35 Years Service Medal Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam

(100th Birth Anniversary of

Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

1976

Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat

(Democracy Medal)

1988

Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha

(Resolution Day)

(Golden Jubilee Medal)

1990

Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan

(Independence Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1997

Command and Staff College Quetta

Centenary Student's Medal

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Baba, you will always be my hero". The Express Tribune. 17 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Abbottabad Public School Famous Alumni". 23 March 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Maj-Gen Bilal showed bravery till his last breath". DAWN.COM. 6 December 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Terrorists storm mosque". 4 December 2009.
  5. ^ "FDD's Long War Journal". 4 December 2009.
  6. ^ "Taliban strikes heart of the Pakistani army". The Independent. 5 December 2009.
  7. ^ "President confers military awards". 14 August 2006.
  8. ^ "President grants awards to Armed Forces personnel on Pakistan Day". www.brecorder.com. 23 March 2010. SITARA-I-BASALAT Following officers have been conferred with Sitara-i-Basalat: Major General Bilal Omer Khan (Shaheed), HI (M), AC, Brigadier Syed Hussain Abbas Shah (Shaheed), Punjab, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Umer, FF and Major Mudassar Razzaq, Avn.
  9. ^ "Armed forces' officers given awards". www.dawn.com. 14 August 2006. Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) has been awarded to Maj-Gen Muhammad Akram Sahi, Punjab; Maj-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, FF; Maj- Gen Muhammad Farooq, Artillery; Maj-Gen Muhammad Tahir Saeed, ASC; Maj-Gen Masood Hasan, Artillery; Maj-Gen Muhammad Mustafa Khan, AC; Maj-Gen Ayaz Saleem Rana, AC; Maj-Gen Naeem Khalid Lodhi, Engineering Corps; Maj-Gen Qasim Qureshi, Punjab; Maj-Gen Bilal Omer Khan, AC; Maj-Gen Imtiaz Ahmed, Engineers; Maj-Gen Muhammad Javed Khan, AMC; Maj-Gen Abdul Malik, AMC; Rear Admiral Shahid Lateef, Navy; Rear Admiral Noman Bashir, Navy; Air Vice-Marshal Hifazatullah Khan, PAF; Air Vice-Marshal M. Ikramullah Bhatti, PAF.
  10. ^ "History of Zaman Park, its illustrious residents". www.thenews.com.pk. 7 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Incident Summary".
  12. ^ Hyatt, Ishrat (4 December 2010). "In memoriam of an officer and a gentleman". Today marks one year of that horrifying day when heartless terrorists attacked a mosque and ruthlessly murdered men and children, who were offering Friday prayers. These inhuman beings, who profess to be Muslims are obviously not, since they acted against all the norms religion teaches us, caring not a wit that they were attacking innocent men and children, who had done them no harm. Among the many who were crowned as 'martyrs' that fateful day was the bravest of them all, a senior officer, who confronted the terrorists and lost his life while saving that of many others, Major General Bilal Omer Khan — a caring and loving husband and father; dearly beloved of all his siblings; a friend of friends; a humble human being and a great sportsman. Since he was a soldier and was often posted away from his home base, to this day his family is still finding it hard to believe he has gone for good and expects him to turn up one day with that lovely smile of his and say, 'What's up?' Loved and respected by all those who served under him; those who knew him personally and even those who met him casually, he was truly an officer and a gentleman. Dearest Bilal — we may not understand why you left us so soon, in the prime of your life; or why you left before any of us were ready to say goodbye; but slowly, eventually we will begin to realise not only that you have left us, but that you lived and gave us many memories that are too beautiful to forget. The example you set and the values you espoused will be difficult to follow, but making an effort to do so will be the greatest tribute to you, who died as bravely as you lived.And while thinking of you, we pray for the souls of those who attained 'shahdat' along with you and hope their families have found peace after this great tragedy, which has left an indelible mark on the lives of all who were affected.
  13. ^ "Defence of Pakistan Day today". www.dawn.com. 6 September 2004.
  14. ^ "Turkish Army Chief visits Lahore". www.brecorder.com. 9 March 2005.
  15. ^ "No PR-178/2008-ISPR". ispr.gov.pk. 6 April 2008. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid yesterday returned from his six days visit to Jordan. On his arrival, he was received by Major General Bilal Omer Director General Operations and Plans and other senior officers of Joint Staff Headquarters at Islamabad Airport.
  16. ^ "PCB-Pepsi school cricket". 11 August 2005.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "News Jang Group - Editorial by Brigadier (R) Asif Alvi". www.thenews.com.pk. The December 4 attack within a well-fortified residential area of Parade Lane is the most regrettable act and has resulted in the loss of not only some very fine gentlemen officers but has also taken lives of so many innocent children -- shame on the so-called 'Muslim' attackers. At the personal level I have lost a very loving friend, Bilal Omer Khan, who was a true specimen of a gentleman officer. Always honest, frank, truthful and honourable. I came to know him in 1980, while undergoing mid-level infantry officers' course. What a dashing and competent young officer Bilal Omer was. In one of the major exercises he was to help my operation as the tank force commander. He was indeed the most cooperative and helping officer and did his utmost to make my test exercise a success. After the course he left for Saudi Arabia. We next met as lieutenant-colonels in the Pakistan Military Academy. We were neighbours and there I found the real Bilal Omer, who was a committed Muslim, a leader who would lead from the front and was brutally truthful. As battalion commander of the Second Pakistan Battalion, he would carry six hundred cadets along with him due to his leadership and physical fitness. On our dinner nights he would dance so beautifully on classic military tunes. I am not aware of the circumstances of his shahadat but I am sure he must have challenged those cowards. He was an excellent father and husband too. I remember him playing with his daughter Zara who was his favourite. I suppose she is a national tennis player now. I do not know how to share her grief. Bilal will always be remembered as a great soldier. My message for the terrorists is: we will fight you and win this war for our beloved Pakistan and men like Bilal Omer Khan. PERSONAL DETAILS: He was commissioned from the 50th course of PMA in 1974. Bilal's father was Omer Khan, a retired Colonel and the founder of Pakistan Ordnance Factories Depot in Havelian FATA. His brother Talha Omer retired from Pak Army as major and they have a sister Yasmin Salman Omer. They were brought up in Lalazar colony of Rawalpindi. Bilal and his wife Nabeela Bilal have three children, Arsalan Omer Khan, Ibrahim Omer Khan, and Zahra Omer Khan. Bilal received his Masters in International Relations from the University of Denver. I still remember he suffered an accident along with his wife and driver in Lahore Cantt. The driver's heart failed, who died at the spot, Bilal moving from backseat to the front saved the car, and basically his wife and himself from huge damage. He was surely a great warrior.
  18. ^ "Shafqat, Zafar bag doubles title". thenews.com.pk. 22 October 2019. Zahra Omer Khan, daughter of Major General Bilal Omer Khan Shaheed, were the chief guests on the occasion.
  19. ^ The Gazette of Pakistan, page 637 (1980)
  20. ^ Roll of Honour
  21. ^ "18 brigadiers promoted". www.brecorder.com. 17 January 2004. Those recommended for promotion included Brigadier Ayyaz Saleem Rana, Brigadier Bilal Omer Khan, Brigadier Zahid Pervez, Brigadier Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry, Brigadier Syed Muhammad Owais, Brigadier Naeem Khalid Lodhi, Brigadier Javed Iqbal, Brigadier Ahmed Bilal, Brigadier Qasim Qureshi, Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmed, Brigadier Khalid Nawaz Khan, Brigadier Sardar Mahmood Ali Khan, Brigadier Muhammad Alam Khattak, Brigadier Niaz Muhammad Khan Khattak, Brigadier Muhammad Tahir Saeed, Brigadier Muhammad Asaad, Brigadier Shafique Ahmad Kayani, and Brigadier Muhammad Rehan Burney.
  22. ^ "Defence of Pakistan Day today". www.dawn.com. 6 September 2004.
  23. ^ "Turkish Army Chief visits Lahore". www.brecorder.com. 9 March 2005.
  24. ^ "No PR-178/2008-ISPR". ispr.gov.pk. 6 April 2008. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid yesterday returned from his six days visit to Jordan. On his arrival, he was received by Major General Bilal Omer Director General Operations and Plans and other senior officers of Joint Staff Headquarters at Islamabad Airport.
  25. ^ "Major Gen. Bilal Omer Khan Shaheed DHA Islamabad Pays Tribute to the Martyrs of Homeland Pakistan". YouTube.
  26. ^ "Col. Shafqat annexes Major Gen. Bilal Omer Shaheed Tennis Championship 2019 title - Khilari". www.khilari.com.pk. 21 October 2019.
  27. ^ "Maj. Gen. Bilal Omer Khan Shaheed Memorial Polo Cup 2009". Archived from the original on 27 November 2022.
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