Bilal Omar Khan
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Bilal Omar Khan | |
|---|---|
| Native name | بلال عمر خان |
| Nickname(s) | Billy[1] |
| Born | 3 February 1954 |
| Died | 4 December 2009 (aged 55) Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Service/ |  Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1973-2009 |
| Rank |   Major General |
| Unit | 19th Lancers |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |  Sitara-e-BasalatMarco Polo Sheep Trophy[1] |
| Memorials | Major General Bilal Omer Shaheed Tennis Championship[4] |
| Spouse(s) | ??? - 2009 (his death) |
| Children |
|
| Relations |
|
Major General Bilal Omar Khan (بلال عمر خان) SBt was a two-star rank general in the Pakistan Army who was martyred in the December 2009 Rawalpindi attack. At the time of his martyrdom, he was serving as the Director General of the Pakistan Army Armoured Corps.[6] He posthumously received the Sitara-e-Basalat.[5]
Early life[edit]
He was born on 3 February 1954 to a Burki[1] Pashtun family. Including Bilal, the Burki family has produced several military generals and cricketers such as Zahid Ali Akbar Khan, Wajid Ali Khan Burki, Imran Khan, Javed Burki, Majid Khan, and Shahid Javed Burki.
Military career[edit]
In 1973 at the age of 19, he was commissioned into the army in the 19th Lancers.
He served as the commander of the 111th Infantry Brigade in Pakistan[1] and as Director General Joint Staff Headquarters.
Personal life[edit]
He was very passionate about the sport of Polo and was known by his friends and family as an excellent Polo player and a good hunter.
Bilal was married and had two sons and a daughter.[1]
Mentorship[edit]
He was a mentor to Junior Army Officers & Air Force polo players at the Rawalpindi Polo Club.[1]
Wing Commander Shafiq had said that after maghrib prayers Major General Bilal used to guide them on polo and gave them tips on how to play better and how to win crucial fixtures.[1]
2009 Parade Lane Mosque attack and death[edit]
On 4 December 2009, he and other worshippers were praying namaz at the Parade Lane Mosque and were bowing in prayer, when suddenly explosions and gunfire rang out. Most of the people died on impact while a few others managed to escape. Bilal unharmed, put his shoes back on and got ahold of one of the terrorists, trying to disarm him, which led to the other terrorists focusing their attention on Bilal. The distraction was a key opportunity for others to escape.
While several escaped, Bilal was shot at point blank range by another terrorist and was martyred in the terrorist attack.[5]
When his son Arsalan went to recover his body from the mosque, he said "I saw my father lay there with his hand under his head as though he was in a peaceful slumber."[5]
Legacy[edit]
His friend, Colonel Raja Nadeem described Bilal as "a brave and upright man."
Arsalan recalled a moment with his dad where he had said that "If I ever got the chance I would take at least one or two coward terrorists down with me."[5]
The Parade Lane by the mosque now bears his name.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Maj-Gen Bilal showed bravery till his last breath". DAWN.COM. December 6, 2009.
- ↑ https://www.aaj.tv/news/10052769
- ↑ "Taliban strikes heart of the Pakistani army". The Independent. December 5, 2009.
- ↑ https://www.khilari.com.pk/news/5386/col-shafqat-annexes-major-gen-bilal-omer-shaheed-tennis-championship
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Baba, you will always be my hero". The Express Tribune. June 17, 2012.
- ↑ https://www.aaj.tv/news/10052769
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