http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=180150
General Gracey vs. Brig TM’s father
Friday, May 29, 2009
Brig (r) Syed Masud ul Hassan
Today is the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of one of the bravest soldiers of Pakistan Army. Brigadier Tariq Mahmud, Hilal-e-Shujaat, Sitara-e-Imtiaz (twice) and Sitara-e-Basalat, became a legendry hero during his lifetime.
Landmarks of his heroism include Dras operation in Kargil sector in 1965, capture of Bhairab Bridge in East Pakistan in 1971 and numerous other overt and covert military exploits in the service of Pakistan. People used to show their love for TM, as he was lovingly called, by going to the Pakistan Day parade just to see him skydiving. No words would suffice to talk about TM’s achievements. I, therefore, think it might be time to pay honours to the proud brave father of this legendary hero as well.
Late Syed Habib ul Hassan followed his own father and joined Punjab Police as assistant sub-inspector in 1930. During his lifetime, he never bragged or talked about his service affairs. It was only after his death that we came across a big bundle of commendation certificates awarded to him during his service. The most important and historical case, however, came to light when our childhood friend, Dr. Naeem Qureshi, former head of the History Department, Quaid-i-Azam University, was conducting research on Quaid-i-Azam as governor general. He came across some documents relating to an event of historical significance. It occurred in June 1948 when our father was a CID inspector in Rawalpindi. It not only shows how fearless our police officers used to be in those days but also of resolve and determination of the government to protect and stand by such officers even under tremendous pressure.
This event relates to an intelligence report initiated by our father which gave details of the anti-Pakistan activities of some of the British officers and their friends and called them, “Fifth Columnists”. General Douglas Gracey, commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army, felt so much annoyed and upset on this report that on June 5, 1948 he wrote a DO letter to Liaquat Ali Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, levelling serious allegations against our father and forcefully asking for his transfer outside Rawalpindi. Following are some of the words quoted from his letter:
“My dear Prime Minister, you will probably have noticed that from time to time letters have been published in many leading newspapers in the country vehemently criticising the retention of British officers in the Pakistan Army and in giving vent to their views the authors have levelled some most unkind and unjust remarks against their loyalty, integrity and honour ... recent developments have furthermore taken a more serious turn and I feel I must, therefore, bring the situation to your notice since I consider that the time has come when very drastic steps should be taken to settle this matter.”
“I was unaware of the allegations against the persons concerned (some of the British officers, their wives and non-Muslim friends) until yesterday when I received by post a copy of a report dated 16 May 1948 submitted by the Group Officer CID Mr. Habib ul Hassan. From a study of this report it seems obvious to me that the suspicions against the Army officers are ill founded and quite unjustified.”
“I need not enlarge on the enormity of this to you. It is obviously essential to remove the author Mr. Habib-ul-Hassan, Group Officer CID; I do not know him or the sources’ of his information, but he is obviously inefficient, untrustworthy and quite unsuitable to occupy the position he is in. Furthermore, to avoid a repetition and similar unpleasantness, I most strongly recommend that in future in all investigations against military personnel and in matters involving the security of the Army, I should be allowed to rely entirely on my own sources and not bring the civil or the CID in to it.”
“I must say to you quite frankly and bluntly that a great deal of harm has already been done. I would, therefore, ask you to take early steps to remove Mr. Habib-ul-Hassan, and to order DIB to allow me to investigate cases where military personnel are involved and to deal with matters involving the security of the Army.”
The prime minister sent General Gracey’s letter for comments to Director Intelligence Bureau G. Ahmad, who is considered one of the ablest civil servants of Pakistan. He addressed his comments to Ch Muhammad Ali who was at that time Secretary General, Government of Pakistan. Extracts from his comments are as under:
“I see no justification for the transfer of Group Officer Habib-ul-Hassan from Rawalpindi. He has acted in complete good faith and has not misreported... It seems to have raised a proper ‘hornet’s nest’, I am sure, however, that the jolt will do all concerned much good.”
Based on DIB comments, the prime minister sent his reply to General Gracey, rejecting all of his demands. Following are some of the extracts from his letter:
“I agree with you that services security is the concern of the military authorities ... This, however, does not preclude the civil intelligence organizations passing on to Director of Intelligence any information of interest about services security.... The CID Group Officer whose note you enclosed with your letter, is a servant of the West Punjab Government and not of the Central Government. I should like to discuss his case with me when we meet next time.”
It appears that General Gracey never got an opportunity to discuss this matter with the prime minister as our father remained in CID/IB for nearly two decades till his retirement in 1967.
(The author is the brother of late Brigadier TM)
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Brig TM was such a dare devil, no doubt he was fathered by a honorable and courageous soul as Habib-ul-Hassan.
Father of Special Services Group Pakistan Army
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