Gen MacArthur while addressing the joint session of the houses of the USA, made a historical remark that, “Old Soldiers never die they just fade away.”
Major general NK Babar, SJ and Bar breathed his last in early hours of 10th Jan at Peshawar. He was a great leader of men, who infused confidence in his subordinates by his personal example. I first met him in 1970 as a captain, while Gen Babar a Lt Col was posted at Army Aviation Base Dhamial. Everyone knew Col Bob was running the show and would be in the forefront in any crisis situation. He always preferred Human angle over his personal safety. Once due to bad weather, he himself flew to evacuate a seriously injured soldier from NA’s.
He was always ready to help any officer/OR in need. During Yayha’s Martial my younger brother, a student in the local college, while leading a protest march in favour of PPP in Jhelum, was arrested. The students were charged with a martial law regulation& put in the jail. I requested the G-2 ops for leave, Gen Babar on learning this himself walked into the office and not only facilitated my move to Jhelum but also rang up brig Mahmud, who was then commanding a Regiment there. But in spite of every ones efforts the students were not released by the Log Area commander at Rawalpindi being the DMLA. I went to see the log area commander with a request, who not only got annoyed with me but recommended disciplinary action against me for violating the channel of command. Gen Babar on receipt of the written report, on his own rang up the Log Area Commander informing him that no action was being taken against the officer, as a matter of fact he should order the release of students, who were protesting for a genuine cause.
Gen Babar went to East Pakistan during the 1970 cyclones/elections, to organize the aviation effort. His mere presence there brought a very good name for the Army Aviation flying dangerous missions. During 1971 war Gen Babar was posted as commander artillery 23 division in Chamb sector. Just a few days before the war, Army Aviation Flight was attached with HQ 23 division, and was placed directly under command Brig Babar. This gave us an opportunity to observe him more closely. He went out of the way to expose himself to danger. Late Major General Iftikhar Janjua and brig NK Babar formed an excellent team. Brig Babar would himself fly the Chopper along with Gen Janjua to personally monitor the Operation. Both of them flew in the peak caps so that the RED BAND of the peak caps is visible both to own troops as well as the enemy.
When the Infantry Brigade commander of the leading brigade was committed in some peace time activity at Rawalpindi, Brig Babar commander Artillery was given the command of the Brigade to lead. Gen Babar himself led the brigade being with the leading elements to push the brigade, which had wasted two previous days at the same point. He was unfortunately hit by a direct tank shell and seriously wounded. He refused to be evacuated till he fell unconscious. This was Bob to everyone under his command and superior officers. Gen Babar had earlier distinguished himself in 1965 war, when he single handedly captured an Indian company over 70 as POWs .He was awarded SJ. for it. He had the distinction of being again awarded SJ in1971 war one of the rare examples being granted SJs’ in both the wars with India.
Gen Babar rejoined his command after a couple of months in the field area. I belonged to Jhelum; as such he would always ask me to accompany him whenever he was going to Jhelum from the Operational area. On our way from field, he would give lift to any walking soldier/civilian, whom we met en route, as no public transport had yet started their operations in the area. Once an old lady insisted that she would also carry the firewood in the car. Gen Babar asked the old lady’s fire wood be carried in the following jeep and her clothing in the trunk of the staff car, this operation delayed us by half an hour but Gen Babar sat quietly in the car all this time. This is how Gen Babar was, a caring senior officer. Few months later Gen Babar was posted as IGFC NWFP. This was a critical time, he was asked to reoccupy the western border in view of Daud’s take over in Afghanistan. He very ably personally led the operation to reoccupy Razmak and other frontier posts with scouts. He was soon promoted Major General and posted to newly raised infantry division. Mr. ZAB seeing his potential wanted him back in NWFP was asked to resign to be appointed Governor to contain the aggressive designs of the new Government in Afghanistan. He stayed as Governor 1975 to July 1977. As Governor NWFP, he got an ASI of Police in Kohat, who committed a murder on Eid day, arrested, tried and punished within three months of the Murder. When he resigned and in a press conference joined the Peoples Party, having refused to stay on as Governor on the desire of Zia Ul Haq. His old Friend Gen Fazal Haq now DMLA Peshawar let loose a reign of terror on him, arrested and tried him for treason in a military court. But to the good luck of Gen Babar the President of the Summary military court a Lt Col was an old Aviator, who did justice and released him. Gen Babar instead of feeling happy remarked, “Col Don’t release me evidence or no evidence; Fazal Haq would not leave you,” But good soldier said,” Sir they have failed to provide evidence to prove you guilty”. Gen Fazal Haq instead of taking Police to task for failing to provide evidence made the life of the Col hell, who was immediately removed from command, even his family was not spared.
Gen N K Babar always remained a man of honour and remained loyal to PPP. He was the only force in NWFP opposing Zia Ul Haq. In 1988 he acted as senior advisor to Mohtrma Benazir Bhutto. He was a simple man. It was a common sight to see Mohtrma Benazir Bhutto along with Gen Babar, a security guard and the maid taking a walk with young Bilawal in the pram in the Rawalpindi Golf Club. In the same Golf Club Gen Aslam Beg would be playing Golf with about thirty soldiers as security.
Gen N K Babar was probably the only leader who spoke the truth in public. He was steadfast in his struggle against Zia Ul Haq .He was brave and took bold actions both while in the Army and after his retirement/Politics. He was one political leader who was trusted by all. He was the one who exposed the Mehran Bank scandal in the National Assembly. In the same case Air Marshal Asghar filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, which is still pending for almost twenty years now. Gen NK Babar was fearless, whether it was operation to weed out the criminal elements in Karachi, in Malakand, or Khyber agency. His daring action to get the hostage children in bus at Islamabad released without fear for his personal safety was highly acknowledged by the whole nation.
It is unfortunate that No national leader from the PPP was at his funeral, though he had been Governor and Interior Minister. It is equally unfortunate that he was not given a burial he deserved; Army Aviation Command also failed to give him the honour he deserved. He was one of the pioneers of Air OP/Aviation, he got them SJ in 65 war And his role as a senior Aviator in East Pakistan is well know ;those who have forgotten may read Brig Saad Ulla’s book ‘East Pakistan to Bangladesh’ or other war accounts of 65’and 71’.
Just to remind my friends in the Army and Army Aviation and those at the helm of affairs not to be scared. Fear only ALLAH WHO alone has the right over death/life; Rulers come & go it is our steadfastness in difficult times that distinguish men from boys and brave from cowards; just two verses;
I am reminded of couplet by Kanwar Raja a banker turned poet, who was jailed by ZIA, from his book ‘FITRAK’
“Goolon sey daar rahey hain
tetlion sey khuf atta hai.
Ejab ahed sittam hai key
doostoon sey khuf atta hai.”
Meaning:
“We are afraid of flowers
and butter flies
What a time that we are
afraid of our friends”
Also another one by a Sufi poet
of my area Mian Muhammad Bux
“Don’t be happy on your
enemy’s death;
even we will also soon die.”
May Allah bless his soul.
