Maj-Gen Bilal showed bravery till his last breath

[skybolt]

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RAWALPINDI, Dec 5: In Maj-Gen Bilal Omar Khan’s death the country lost a dynamic and intrepid Armoured Corps officer known by his acquaintances as a friend of friends.

Late Maj-Gen Bilal was amongst the victims of a terrorist attack which took place at the Army residential mosque in Parade Lane.

One of the eyewitnesses told Dawn: “His last brave action will always be remembered as instead of ducking for safety he tried to overpower one of the terrorists inside the mosque and lost his life when hit by a bullet from point blank.”

Known to his friends as ‘Billy’, late Gen Bilal was born on February 3, 1954 and got commission in the Army in 1973 in the 19th Lancers.

He was also the president of the Pakistan Polo Association and Equestrian Federation and had represented Pakistan in 2007 Polo World Cup in New Zealand.

“Maj-Gen Bilal was an excellent polo player, mostly playing in the forward line. He was a very aggressive polo professional playing the game with passion and sincerity,” said Col Raja Nadeem, one of his close associates.

“He was also a good hunter and used to go for shooting along with me in the toughest terrains of the northern region,” he said.

“Once we were in the mountains for hunting and the temperature there was -10 degrees centigrade. I was amazed to see Billy making ablution even in the freezing temperature of the north,” Col Nadeem said.

Polo had always been his passion and that was why Maj-Gen Bilal was attached to the game.“He used to play for Marco Polo Club mainly because he was the winner of the Marco Polo Sheep Trophy,” Col Nadeem said.

Marco Polo Sheep hunting is one of the toughest and most thrilling trophies in the world for renowned hunters played in the mountains of central Asia.

Col Nadeem recalled that Gen Bilal was a brave and upright man.

“It was Bilal’s style as he did not escape from the mosque during the attack and instead stayed there to fight the terrorists,” he said.

For Brig Sikander, another friend of Gen Bilal, it was a tragic loss.

He said: “Late Bilal belonged to a respectable family (Burki) and was a well mannered and whole hearted gentleman.”

“I cannot forget the day when I left the command of a brigade in Kharian and Gen Bilal took over from me. I sent him the staff car that very day, but Gen Bilal called me in the evening to inform me that he will use his personal car until I make some arrange

ments and sent the staff car back to me,” Brig Sikander said.

Gen Bilal was not only a mentor to junior army officers at Rawalpindi Polo Club but to the Air Force polo players alike.

“You people (Air Force players) ride horses like you are flying jets. They are not jets they are your horses,” Wing Cdr Shafiq said while taking a walk down memory lane.

Wing Cdr Shafiq said: “After Maghrib prayers Gen Bilal used to guide us on polo and gave us tips to play better and to win crucial fixtures.”

Gen Bilal left behind a widow, two sons and a daughter. He was laid to rest with full military honour at the Army Graveyard in Rawalpindi.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/...ast-breath-629

[indianrabbit]

May his soul RIP.

[dk33]

I think another article had more details on his brave actions in the Mosque.

He tackled and grappled with one of the attackers and the terrorist detonated his vest.

RIP.

[Aeronaut]

ina lillah e wa ina eleh e rajeun!

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

This is all wonderful news---but the question is that was the general armed at that time or not---did he forget his handgun at home---or was he careless about his personal security.

It is a wasteful death---when are these generals going to wake up and take minimum personal defencive actions---use some common sense---don't leave your home without your handgun---.

It is a total shocker---.

These terrorists are are just taking it step by a step---and pakistani general staff is being taken in by surprise at every step.

[Hollow]

My friend I will just like to correct you on the fact that it's not a wasteful death. It's a display of bravery and courage which we lack as a nation and as individuals he was a person who had that courage. How many people do you know who take weapons to mosques especially a mosque which is not even 50 yards from your house.How many people do you know who grappled with an armed terrorist? how many generals do you know who have done such a thing? So i'd say again it's not a wasteful death. Let this just be an eye opener for people like us who know nothing but how to crib and blame others.

I'd suggest not to be so negative and look towards the brighter side and be optimistic I can assure you if the general was allowed to take a weapon to the mosque he would have and surely he would have taken them out. Derive strength and courage from such acts of bravery displayed by Major General Bilal Omer Khan and other officers and jawans who are laying their lives for a better future. Must correct one's ownself before pointing towards others thats the key.

[blain2]

Hi,

This is all wonderful news---but the question is that was the general armed at that time or not---did he forget his handgun at home---or was he careless about his personal security.

It is a wasteful death---when are these generals going to wake up and take minimum personal defencive actions---use some common sense---don't leave your home without your handgun---.

It is a total shocker---.

These terrorists are are just taking it step by a step---and pakistani general staff is being taken in by surprise at every step.

While I understand your sentiments, but officers do not carry sidearms around (not that it would have made a major difference even if he was carrying one as the first thing these chaps did was to carry out two suicide bombings as soon as they got in.)

This was a security lapse, but not one that could have been handled by someone carrying a sidearm. The perimeter security has to be enhanced and more importantly, these groups have to be penetrated.

[S-2]

God bless this brave man's family and may he enjoy the rest of a warrior's peace.

[saad445566]

Salute to the brave man!

[Slides]

Hi,

This is all wonderful news---but the question is that was the general armed at that time or not---did he forget his handgun at home---or was he careless about his personal security.

It is a wasteful death---when are these generals going to wake up and take minimum personal defencive actions---use some common sense---don't leave your home without your handgun---.

It is a total shocker---.

These terrorists are are just taking it step by a step---and pakistani general staff is being taken in by surprise at every step.

There are also a risk to have everyone carry a weapon 24/7 everywhere they go.

[Gin ka Pakistan]

There are also a risk to have everyone carry a weapon 24/7 everywhere they go.

In war like situation , don't they know its war and enemy is after them

For Seniors no risk

[Slides]

In war like situation , don't they know its war and enemy is after them

For Seniors no risk

The enemy can also steal uniforms and pretend to be from the army, so there is a risk to have armed officers and jawans 24/7. Confusion can cause friendly fire very easily. What happened at parade line masjid was failure of intelligence (as usual) and massive failure of security perimeter and SOP.

[MastanKhan]

My friend I will just like to correct you on the fact that it's not a wasteful death. It's a display of bravery and courage which we lack as a nation and as individuals he was a person who had that courage. How many people do you know who take weapons to mosques especially a mosque which is not even 50 yards from your house.How many people do you know who grappled with an armed terrorist? how many generals do you know who have done such a thing? So i'd say again it's not a wasteful death. Let this just be an eye opener for people like us who know nothing but how to crib and blame others.

I'd suggest not to be so negative and look towards the brighter side and be optimistic I can assure you if the general was allowed to take a weapon to the mosque he would have and surely he would have taken them out. Derive strength and courage from such acts of bravery displayed by Major General Bilal Omer Khan and other officers and jawans who are laying their lives for a better future. Must correct one's ownself before pointing towards others thats the key.

Hi,

If this post is the reflection of the mindset of pakistanis---then the paks have not taken the terorists seriously.

50 yards from your home is the place that is going to be the most insecure place for you---because that is where you donot expect anything happening to you---.

It is only at the time of an accident that you realize that the seat belt was only a few inches away from the shoulders but was not
hooked on---.

Pakistani citizenery must take it as a criminal negligence and offence on the part of millitary heirarchy for not strapping a side arm before leaving a secure place. The civilians have spent millions of dollars to train these men for their jobs.

This was not the first time that a general staff officer was targetted---within a month there were three attacks---two on brigadiers and one on this general.


There is no derivations of acts of strength and courage from this act---but a total lack of judgement, the total lack of understanding the enemies resourcefulness and committment---.

I don't want to see my general officers lying dead on the floor of the mosque and I don't want you guys saying that he died bravely---it is not a part of his job to die tackling a terrorist down mano a mano. It is not a part of his pay plan.

I bet you you anything---regardless of what anyone's rhetoric is---that general when he was dying---really really wished that he had his side arm on him or at least a combat knife---that poor soul died wishing for what he should have worn like his after shave cologne---only if we can put our children in a child seat just before the crash happened---we would not have to put humpty dumpty together---but alas---.

Wake up young pakistani men---stop this knee jerk reaction---seems like the tacticians at the terrorist's headquarters are way ahead of tacticians at the millitary headquarters---the trrorists have done their home work---believing that it is their last job and it should be done to perfection---the millitary tacticians have failed in just even taking basic preventive measures.

The bigest hurdle in this progression is the geneal staff command itself---. somehow they haver to be made believers.

[Slides]

Hi,

If this post is the reflection of the mindset of pakistanis---then the paks have not taken the terorists seriously.

50 yards from your home is the place that is going to be the most insecure place for you---because that is where you donot expect anything happening to you---.

It is only at the time of an accident that you realize that the seat belt was only a few inches away from the shoulders but was not
hooked on---.

Pakistani citizenery must take it as a criminal negligence and offence on the part of millitary heirarchy for not strapping a side arm before leaving a secure place. The civilians have spent millions of dollars to train these men for their jobs.

This was not the first time that a general staff officer was targetted---within a month there were three attacks---two on brigadiers and one on this general.


There is no derivations of acts of strength and courage from this act---but a total lack of judgement, the total lack of understanding the enemies resourcefulness and committment---.

I don't want to see my general officers lying dead on the floor of the mosque and I don't want you guys saying that he died bravely---it is not a part of his job to die tackling a terrorist down mano a mano. It is not a part of his pay plan.

I bet you you anything---regardless of what anyone's rhetoric is---that general when he was dying---really really wished that he had his side arm on him or at least a combat knife---that poor soul died wishing for what he should have worn like his after shave cologne---only if we can put our children in a child seat just before the crash happened---we would not have to put humpty dumpty together---but alas---.

Wake up young pakistani men---stop this knee jerk reaction---seems like the tacticians at the terrorist's headquarters are way ahead of tacticians at the millitary headquarters---the trrorists have done their home work---believing that it is their last job and it should be done to perfection---the millitary tacticians have failed in just even taking basic preventive measures.

The bigest hurdle in this progression is the geneal staff command itself---. somehow they haver to be made believers.

I think the only knee jerk reaction here is to think that being armed in such a situation would have changed the situation. The guards outside were armed after all.

You're missing out on the underlying causes and major problems in the intel networks and structure and the reason for this takfirisim.

[MastanKhan]

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I think the only knee jerk reaction here is to think that being armed in such a situation would have changed the situation. The guards outside were armed after all.

You're missing out on the underlying causes and major problems in the intel networks and structure and the reason for this takfirisim.

Sir,

I understand the takfirism and problems with intel---intel can fail to deliver---they can make mistakes---it is understandable---but once we know that our general staff has become the target---they must bear arms to protect themselves---now if they die exchanging gunfire with the enemy or in a hand to hand knife combat---God bless them---they truly will be heroes---but dying tackling an armed insurgent while you are unarmed and you already knew the level of threat---that is a shame.

You conveniently missed my comments---


"I bet you you anything---regardless of what anyone's rhetoric is---that general when he was dying---really really wished that he had his side arm on him or at least a combat knife---that poor soul died wishing for what he should have worn like his after shave cologne---only if we can put our children in a child seat just before the crash happened---we would not have to put humpty dumpty together---but alas---".

He wasn't worried about the intel report or the takfiri problem---he just wanted his side arm---.

This post again shows the mindset of pakistanis not being able to accept the threat that they are facing in real time.