Sanaullah Khan Niazi

Major General Sana Ullah Khan Niazi psc afwc (Pashto, Urdu: ; 10 September 1960 — 15 September 2013) also known as Soldiers’ General, was a two-star rank general in the Pakistan Army serving as G.O.C 17th Division (Malakand) who was killed in a roadside blast. Sanaullah was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat and Hilal-i-Imtiaz on Pakistan Day in 2014 and 2015.

Sanaullah is renowned for clearing the Malakand District division of terrorists in less than seven months and overseeing the security of 50,000 tourists. Additionally, he was known for launching a sports Gala and reopening the Kabal Golf Course for the youth of Swat, which subsequently led to the valley holding a national golf tournament after 20 years as well as an art exhibition for the first time in Swat's history.

Sanaullah is the brother of Amin Ullah Khan and paternal cousin of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Early life
Sanaullah Khan Niazi was born on 10 September 1960 in Daud Khel, Mianwali into a Pakhtun Niazi family. His father was SSP Khan Ikhlas Khan, a notorious police officer who served in Quetta for most of his career and was known as "fearless" for arresting Nawab Akbar Bugti in the 1970s.

Family
Sanaullah has 3 brothers, Rehmat Ullah Khan Niazi who at the time of Sanaullah's death was serving as Deputy IG Quetta Police, Amin Ullah Khan and Madad Khan. One of his paternal cousins is cricketer and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Personal life
Sanaullah is survived by his widow and two daughters.

Personality and interests
Colonel Moeen Yusuf Khan, one of his former staff officers, stated Sanaullah was "a difficult man to make angry and very easy to make happy." Moeen also writes that Sana was very fond of cars.

Military career
Upon completing the 12th OTS course on 11 December 1983, Sanaullah was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in the 11 Baloch Regiment. The same day, he was awarded the COAS cane by Zia-ul-Haq for achieving second place in the course.

Brigadier Sanaullah Khan Niazi was promoted to the rank of Major General on 14 July 2012.

On 9 September 2013, he inaugurated the Jashn-i-Kumrat sports festival in Upper Dir and gave a speech to the 3,000 participants that terrorists wouldn't be allowed to disturb the peace and added that the festival would promote peace and tourism in the area.

Military schooling
Sanaullah graduated from the Officers Training School in Mangla in 1983, Command and Staff College Quetta in 1994, National Defence University, Pakistan, and the National Defense University (Republic of China) in 2012.

Legacy
Major General Sanaullah was credited for establishing peace along with reviving tourism in the Swat Valley. Further known for working tirelessly in the recovery efforts and bringing back the residents of Swat Valley who were evacuated after the army launched an operation to clear the area from the occupation of terrorists.

He is known as the pioneer of the Malam Jabba Snow Festival, which was the first cultural event that took place after the military operation against the terrorists.

In a short span of seven months, he cleared the Malakand division of terrorists and oversaw the security of 50,000 tourists. He launched a sports Gala for the youth of Swat and reopened the Kabal Golf Course which subsequently led to Swat Valley holding a national golf tournament for the first time in 20 years. Additionally, an art exhibition took place for the first time in Swat's history.

Death
After staying two nights above 10,000ft at Malatar troop post to boost the morale of soldiers following a deadly attack a year previously which killed 18 soldiers, Sanaullah and Lt Col Touseef Ahmed were travelling to the Battalion Headquarters of 33 Baloch which Touseef was the Commanding Officer of, from the Upper Dir District along the Afghan border when their vehicle drove over a bomb at 12:30pm planted by the Pakistani Taliban killing them along with their driver Lance Naik Irfan Sattar (33 Baloch) and injuring Havildar Ilyas and DQ21 Havildar Ghaffar. They were all airlifed to a military hospital in Rawalpindi.

Funeral
His Janaza along with the other victims was held on 16 September 2013 and attended by army personnel, police officers, politicians and civilians.

Military personnel laid floral wreaths on his grave on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain, COAS Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, CAS of the PAF Tahir Rafique Butt, CNS of the PN Asif Sandila, and CJCSC Khalid Shameem Wynne.

At an event later that evening, Kayani stated, “The General Officer has set towering example of leading from the front which is hallmark of leadership in Pakistan Army, we all salute his bravery.”

Aftermath
In June 2018, the terrorist that planned the attack was killed in Afghanistan by a drone strike from the United States Army.

The terrorist that planted the device was arrested and sentenced to death by the COAS on 15 December 2018.

Memorials
Sanaullah Colony, Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Cricket tournament, Maj Gen Sanaullah Memorial Football tournament, Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Toll Plaza, and Maj Gen Sanaullah Khan Niazi Shaheed Interchange are named after him.