Malik Munawar Khan Awan

 Malik Munawar Khan Awan  ( ,Born Malik Munawar Khan Awan 6 July 1920 – 18 March 1981), was a Major rank officer of Pakistan Army.

Munawar Joined Indian Military Academy Dehradon in July 1938 and was Commissioned in 5 Punjab Regiment in British Indian Army as an officer.

During World War II, his unit moved to Burma as part of 15th British Indian Division to face the advancing Japanese.

Munawar fought well but was taken as a POW by Japanese.

During his detention Munawar a Nationalist he already was, turned to Japanese Side.

He was formed part of Indian National Army under Subhash Chandra Boss where he Commanded 2nd INA Guerrilla Force during Battle of Imphal and was taken as Prisoner of War by British during the Japanese retreat from Burma.

After the Creation of Pakistan,He Joined Pakistan Army and was posted to 21 Azad Kashmir Regiment.

During Pakistan's Adventure in Indian Kashmir in 1965 known as Operation Gibraltar He was a Guerrilla Commander of "Ghaznavi" Infiltrating Force. He made 1000 Indian Soldiers to Surrender after Capturing the Indian Garrison of Rajouri in August 1965.

Munawar Fought his way behind enemy lines for nearly 6 months.

Later withdrew back to own lines on the orders of GHQ after all out war with India in September 1965. He was bestowed with Title "King of Rajouri" by the Then President of Pakistan Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan and awarded with Pakistan's Third Highest Military award "Sitara e Jurat".

Munawar's Activities behind Indian Lines focused on Communication disruption, Infrastructure Destruction and Targeting of Logistical Lines of Indian Army.

He persuaded the Local Kashmirs for Kashmir Cause, Armed and trained them and made them fight with him for their freedom.

==Early life==

Munawar was Born in a small village Jhatla in Chakwal District in a Martial family of Awan Tribe. His Father Lt.Muqarab Khan was one of the 1st Muslim Officers of British Indian Army to be honored with King's Commission, Muqarab Khan a veteran himself had distinguished himself in The Fields of Flanders in France during World War 1.

As a child, Munawar Khan had just one wish burning in his heart — to serve in the army. One day he came upon a throng of people gathered to witness the British subcontinental race in the area. When the starter’s gun was fired, the runners took off. Reflexively, Munawar jumped in. He won the race. Everyone was stunned by the his Performance.

The head of the Regiment approached him and asked who is he to which he replied I want to join the army.

There and then, the boy’s wish was granted. The British saw the potential in the him as a great athlete and was sent to Indian Military Academy.

==Military Carrier==

Munawar was commissioned in 5 Punjab Regiment "Sherdil" of the British Indian Army.

When the Second World War broke out, 5Punjab was sent under 15 British Indian Division to fight the Japanese who had advanced into Burma and were set to capture its capital Rangoon. After the fall of Rangoon, Munawar then a Young Captain along with his fellow soldiers was taken a prisoner of war by the Japanese.

While incarcerated, Munawar mastered the Japanese language by befriending the prison guards while he taught him Japanese and Munawar taught him English. It paid rich dividends. When a Japanese General officer came visiting the prison, he was struck by Munawar’s fluency in Japanese language.

Munawar was offered to switch sides and fight for the Indian freedom with Japanese to which Munawar who already had his differences with British agreed. The Japanese singled him out as a great asset, worthy of their notice. From the tiny mosquito ridden cell Munawar was shifted to a Japanese Military Training Camp. It was then Munawar underwent rigorous military training as part of Imperial Japanese Local Forces Training Program run by Fujiwara Kikan.

==Service with INA and Trial==

Led by Subhas Chandra Bose, The Indian National Army (INA) was born in 1942 to fight for independence from the British in India. Captain Munawar was a perfect fit and joined this army.

The INA already had leading lights like Maj Gen M.Z. Kiani, Col Shahnawaz Khan, Major Habib ur Rehman and Col. A.I. Dara. Munawar was given Command of 2nd INA Guerrilla Battalion, he took over the Command and gave Allies a ferocious Fight during Battle of Imphal, However because of lack of Coordination, Logistics and Supplies Munawar and his forces could not last longer.

As soon as the Japanese Withdrew Munawar along with other INA officers and men were taken prisoners by Allies and sent to India for a “treason” trial.

A Life Sentence was Announced and He was charged with "waging war against the King-Emperor". Munawar was sent to the Jail.

During his tenure in Confinement, a Hindu Girl visited the Jail with Her Father a Known Billionaire and fell in love with Munawar Khan. She then regularly visited him in jail normally carrying along a bouquet of flowers with her and finally proposed him to marry her. To which Munawar refused on grounds that he was a devout Muslim.

The young woman one day asked Munawar to escape from jail for dinner at her father’s home as she wanted to prove his bravado.

Munawar took up the challenge. One evening, When the jail superintendent was making his final round, Munawar quickly grabbed him and knocked him out. He then quickly changed into his uniform and confidently walked out of the prison to sit in the superintendent’s waiting car. He ordered the Driver to take him to the billionaire’s home where the young woman and her family were stunned to see him. After Munawar's  return to the prison, He was given the third degree and thrown into a solitary cell waiting to be Court Martialled.

==Service with Pakistan Army and Operation Gibraltar==

After Partition, Munawar with other INA prisoners were free to cross over to their new homelands either India or Pakistan. At the Pakistani border, they received a heroes welcome. Pakistanis carried them on their shoulders.

Munawar settled down with a job in the private sector near Lawrencepur, Attock. Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan who had heard of his brave exploits, immediately wrote Munawar a personal letter inviting him to join the Pakistan Army.

From the British to the Japanese to the Pakistan army, by now Munawar was war hardy and raring to go to the frontlines against India in Kashmir. An opportunity provided itself when he joined the Azad Kashmir Regiment that was then Azad Kashmir Regular Force (AKRF).

In July 1965 ‘ Operation Gibraltar ,’ a code name given by the Pakistan Army to infiltrate Jammu & Kashmir was set in motion. Major Munawar distinguished himself yet again. This time Commanding Ghaznavi Guerrilla Force, he infiltrated into India through a pass over the town of Rajouri. This pass witnessed very heavy fighting. Munawar made a Subsequent attack with his force and local mujaheddin and captured Indian Military Garrison of Rajouri.

A Complete Indian Infantry Battalion with all it's Equipment surrendered to Munawar's Force.

Munawar's Activities behind Indian Lines focused on Communication disruption, Infrastructure Destruction and Targeting of Logistical Lines of Indian Army, besides training and arming young Kashmiris to gear up for their independence from India.

Soon Munawar was detected by Indian Intelligence and a Head Money of 0.5million was placed on his head.

Munawar stayed Behind Enemy Lines for around 6 months, during which he was encircled many times but successfully evaded any Indian attempt to Capture him.

His Sabotage Activities made it extremely difficult for Indian Military to effectively function in Mehdar-Rajouri area.

Out of the 9 Infiltrating Forces sent as part of Operation Gibraltar, Ghaznavi Force was the only one reaching and achieving it's assigned objective.

Major Munawar occupied the 500 square miles area for full three months. For his acts of gallantry, he was given the title of ‘Fateh-Kashmir by Free Government of Azad Kashmir.

While citing Lt. Col Waqi, Lt. Gen (r) Mahmud Ahmed in a 640-paged tome titled History of Indo-Pak War—1965 writes:

“He [Maj. Munawar] was administering the area, he had his own police officials, village administrators and government. The local population fully supported him, providing whatever assistance they could. He was operating in the entire Rajouri valley …”

Suddenly orders arrived that Munawar and his men to vacate the area and report back to GHQ in Rawalpindi after the failure of Operation and an all out war With India in September 1965. Sad, dejected and disappointed, he bid farewell to the populace who were loath to let him go. Many cried for him.

A Heart Attack sealed Munawar's Chances to any Promotion Further.

Later Major Munawar was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat for gallantry and the title of ‘King of Rajouri’ by Field Marshal Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan).

==Death==

Munawar Developed a Heart Problem during his intensive Campaign in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He suffered from 7 Heart Attacks.

His Surgeon at Military Hospital Rawalpindi was stunned to note that he still survived after 6th Heart Attack, However the 7th one was more fatal resulting in the death.

==Citation==

"Declared King of Rajouri in recognition to the act of extreme devotion to duty, feat of valor in the face of danger and exemplary courage".

Official citation when Major Malik Munawar Khan Awan was awarded Sitara-E-Jurat.

==Family==

Munawar married a lady from the his own village who was also a daughter of his uncle, They had 7 Children. Later on Two of Munawar's Son and one Grandson also joined Pakistan Army as officers.

==Memorials==

A Pass leading to Rajouri Town in Pir Panjal Range was named in the Honor of Munawar Khan as Munawar Pass.

Munawar Abad A Small town in the heart of Srinagar in Indian Occupied Kashmir was named after Major Munawar by the Local Residents.

Manawar Tawi which is a small rivulet that originates in Thana Mandi area in Rajouri district, flows through Chingus, Nowshera and enters Pakistan’s Punjab join Chenab river was also named after the Pakistani commando officer Major Malik Munawar Awan.

==References==