1971-12-09
By Fox Butterfield
Page: 17
Sketches of the Generals who head the 2 armies
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8—Lieut. Gen. Abdul. Hamid Khan, chief of staff of the Pakistani Army, is described by United State's Government sources as an effective 5dyear‐old military careerist. He is considered pro‐Western.
He is depicted as an amiable officer who has been a long‐time and close friend of President Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan.
Born April 29, 1917, in Maymyo, Burma, to Punjabi parents, he went to a Government college in Lahore and earned a bachelor's degree before attending the Indian Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1939.
During World War II he served in the Middle East and Italy. At the time of the partition of the subcontinent he joined the Pakistani armed forces, serving in various line and staff capacities.
He was promoted to major general in 1958 and from then until 1961 was director general of training.
From 1961 to 1966 General Hamid Khan commanded the 10th, 15th and 11th Divisions. Promoted to lieutenant general in May, 1966, he assumed command of I Corps.
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With, the institution of martial law in Pakistan in the spring of 1969, he was appointed army chief of staff. Details of his current activities have not become available because communication with Pakistan is limited.
General Harald Khan served during the 1965 war with India and is thought here to have performed well.
He and his wife have three sons.