Muhammad Zafar MasudHJSBtOI(J) (Urdu: محمد مسعود ظفر ; 17 October 1927[1] – 7 October 2003) also known as Mitty Masud, was a one starair officer in the Pakistan Air Force and a military strategist who was known for his role as air officer commanding of the Dacca airbase in East Pakistan.
In 1965, he actively participated in second war with India when he led a team of fighter pilots, including Flt. Lt Mervyn Middlecoat, Sqn. Ldr. Cecil Chaudhry, and Sq. Ldr. MM Allam, against the Indian Air Force.[8] Gp Capt. Masud flew against the Indian Air Force in Sargodha Sector with great courage and was regarded as an ace fighter for his ability in dogfight against the Indian pilots.[9]
From 1966 to 1969, Gp Capt. Masud continued his role as a flight instructor with the Air Force and was appointed in the Air AHQ as Director-General of Air Operations (DGAO).[3] In 1969, Gp. Capt. Masud was promoted to one star rank, Air Commodore, and was being speculated as a probable future air force chief once the retirement of Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan.[5]
In March 1971, President Yahya Khan finally arrived in Dhaka and chaired a meeting at the Eastern Command HQ where Air Cdre Masud argued in favor of political solution, noting that "in the prevailing military imbalance, a semi-autonomous East Pakistan was far preferable to the certainty of a military defeat in the event that India decided to intervene".[5] During the meeting, President Yahya interjected several times and was in view of agreeing with Air Cdre Masud's view and supported his stance by quoting: "You must surely know that I too do not want a war and am doing my best to persuade Mujib and Bhutto to find a way out of the crisis".[11]
On 7 March 1971, Governor East Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan and Eastern Commander Lieutenant-General Yaqub Ali Khan were relieved of their respected post, leaving to Lieutenant-General Tikka Khan who initiated the massive military crackdown after the raid in theDhaka University.[citation needed] Air Cdre Masud suffered high-level local defections from his own staff when Group Captain A. K. Khandker and Wing Commander M. K. Bashar escaped to India in May 1971.[12] During Operation Blitzkrieg, Masud refused an order to dispatch an air strike against armed civilians.[11]
During this time, Masud made many contacts with President Yahya Khan but was unable to reach to him, eventually deciding to visit in Army GHQ in Rawalpindi.[citation needed] Masud handed over the air command to Air Cdre Inamul Haque Khan and arrived in Pakistan but was unable to hold the meeting with President Yahya which eventually led Masud disheartened and frustrated.[8]
Despite urging against the early and premature retirement, Masud tendered his resignation from the Pakistan Air Force, which attracted the news media correspondents who tried getting his opinion but he declined to comment.[8]
Later life and death
After seeking retirement in July 1971, Masud worked as a civilian flight instructor for the Rawalpindi Flying Club from 1974 onwards for some years.[2]
^Osman., Mitha, Aboobaker (2003). Unlikely beginnings: a soldier's life. Karachi: Oxford University Press. pp. 333–334. ISBN978-0-19-579413-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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