Sarfraz Ali (general)

Lieutenant General Chaudhary Sarfraz Ali (1 December 1968 – 1 August 2022) was a three star Pakistani general who was serving as Corps Commander Quetta since December 2020 and Commander of the Azad Kashmir Regiment since December 2021 until his death in a helicopter crash on 1 August 2022.

He embodied traits of kindness, humility, and open-mindedness. He gained recognition amongst the people of Balochistan for his understanding of their issues and dedicated focus on their advancement, including women's education, supporting the youth and fostering skill development. Particularly notable was his initiative to establish two women cadet colleges in Quetta. He humbly requested the local media and authorities not to attribute or mention his involvement in the uplifting of Balochistan.

Early life
Sarfraz was born in Sargodha, Punjab, West Pakistan in Arain family on 1 December 1968 to his father Chaudhary Dewan Ali Arain, who served in the Pakistan Air Force as a Squadron leader at PAF Base Mushaf and as instructor at PAF College Sargodha. He has four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. During the time of his death, it was reported that his mother was alive, but the current status of her is unknown.

Personal life
Sarfraz is survived by his widow Arifa Sarfraz, two sons and daughter. His son Ahmed Ali is also in the Pakistan Army and at the time of his passing was a Captain and his Aide-de-camp.

Just 10 days before the crash, Sarfraz planned his daughter Zainab's wedding ceremony and walked her down the aisle.

Military career
At the age of 20, he was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in the 6 Azad Kashmir Regiment after completing the 79th Pakistan Military Academy course in March 1989.

He was known for leading from the front and as a result received his first Tamgha-e-Basalat in 2005. He received the second in 2008 for his gallantry in the war against terrorism. He had an illustrious military career, including commanding Pakistani units during the Operation Rah-e-Rast and Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

From 2012 to 2014, he commanded the 111th Infantry Brigade. He later served as Pakistan's defence attaché to Washington, D.C. from 2014 to 2018.

In January 2018, he was appointed as Commandant of Pakistan Command and Staff College. On 25 October 2018, he was appointed DG Military Intelligence.

He was appointed Commander of the XII Corps in December 2020, where he served until his death in August 2022.

Army Chief prospect
Chairman AM League, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, stated on an interview that Imran Khan wanted to appoint Sarfraz, not Faiz Hameed, as COAS after Qamar Javed Bajwas retirement.

DG ISI prospect
In October 2021, he was among 3 generals interviewed by PM Imran Khan for the post of Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence, the premier intelligence agency of the country.

Commander 111th Infantry Brigade
On 12 January 2012 when Sarfraz was appointed Commander of the 111th Infantry Brigade, the Pakistani Government, Pakistani media and Indian media speculated that a Coup d'état was about to take place due to Sarfraz's posting at a time when PM Gillani had accused COAS Kayani and DG ISI Pasha of violating the constitution by submitting "illegal" replies against Zardari to the Supreme Court on the memogate scandal which was sent to the White House where Zardari had begged America to save him from the Pakistan Army. The rumors started by the government and media later turned out to be false as there was no Coup d'état and was a routine change of command.

While commanding the brigade, he led the recovery efforts for the Bhoja Air Flight 213 which crashed in Rawalpindi on 20 April 2012.

In addition, he led a team of officers to clear crowds of protestors belonging to the PAT and PTI who were a part of the 2014 Azadi March outside the Pakistan Television Corporation headquarters protesting against the Nawaz Sharif government.

Defence attaché
He served as Pakistans Defence attaché to Washington from 2014 to 2018.

In July 2016, he was invited to give a speech at the Naval Postgraduate School in California to the students of the schools National Security Affairs, South Asia curriculum. He informed them about the Pakistan Armys campaign against extremism, terrorism, and securing the AFG-PAK border.

Sarfraz was also known for being a cook as he would prepare breakfast for fellows/unit officers who arrived from Pakistan and were posted at the embassy.

Legacy
Jan Achakzai a friend of Sarfraz, recalls that Sarfraz avoided publicity and never took credit for the work he did for Balochistan. In addition he states, that Sarfraz was an avid reader and Achakzai would be excited when the general would review his columns while giving positive feedback.

Moreover he shares that Sarfraz was humble, open-minded, and easily accessible to civilian leaders.

Sarfraz focused on women's education and their skill development. He also renovated several schools in the area, notably establishing two women cadet colleges in Quetta, and requested the local authorities and media to not credit or mention him for this work.

He helped notorious Baloch folk singers Akhtar Chanal Zahri and Jangi Khan get free treatment in Combined Military Hospitals, Quetta.

Qamar adds that whenever a Pakistani soldiers funeral was brought, Sarfraz would lead the funeral prayer and his eyes would be filled with tears upon kissing the coffin of the soldier.

According to his subordinates, he was very kind towards them and always led from the front. He was known for being tough on soldiers who were slacking in their work.

Helicopter crash
On 1 August 2022, a Pakistan Army Aviation Corps Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil carrying six officers, including Sarfraz, DG Pakistan Coast Guards Brigadier (approved Maj Gen) Amjad Hanif, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, Major Saeed Ahmed (pilot), Major Muhammad Talha Manan (co-pilot) and Naik Mudassir Fayyaz (helicopter crew) went missing during flood relief operations in Balochistan, Pakistan. On 2 August 2022, the wreckage of the helicopter was found with no survivors.

Funeral
His Janaza along with the other victims of the crash was offered in Quetta garrison on 3 August 2022, with COAS, CJCSC, Faiz Hameed, Asif Ghafoor, Azhar Abbas, Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and other high ranking army officers and politicians attending. He was buried in Shuhada graveyard in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Domestic

 * 🇵🇰 — Former PM and Chairman PTI Imran Khan offered his condolences to the families of all the victims on Twitter, stating that he had found Sarfraz to be "a thorough professional and an upright, honest human being." Khan later visited the home of Sarfraz on 6 August 2022 to offer condolences.
 * 🇵🇰 — Journalist Arshad Sharif tweeted that he was Praying to Allah to protect and save the brave sons of Pakistan, and that Allah lets there be a miracle to save them.
 * 🇵🇰 — Prime Minister of Pakistan tweeted "Nation is deeply grieved on the martyrdom of Lt. General Sarfraz Ali & 5 other officers of Pakistan Army. They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood affectees. Will remain eternally indebted to these sons of soil. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families!" He visited the home of Sarfraz to offer condolences on 17 August 2022.

International
— On 5 August 2022, a statement released by the United Arab Emirates Armys media wing stated the President of the UAE Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed "his deepest condolences of the tragic loss of precious lives due to the crash."

🇸🇦 — On 6 August 2022, Chairman of the General Staff of Saudi Arabia Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, expressed his "deepest condolences" on a phone call with military leadership.

🇺🇸 — On 19 August 2022, Pakistans Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan, stated that the DOD and DOS have expressed their condolences over the losses. He went on to say that Sarfraz was an extremely humane and kind-hearted person who always helped the needy and was also popular in Washington.

Memorials
On 3 November 2022, the first Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali Shaheed Junior Tennis Tournament was held in Lahore which was hosted by tournament director Inam-ul-Haq. The chief guest Asif Zaman, head of the Pakistan Sports Board handed prizes to the winners.

On 13 December 2022, the first Lt. General Sarfraz Shaheed Football Tournament was held in Loralai, Balochistan with the aim of the tournament to promote sports culture in the area.