Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik (1907–1993)
Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik Sahib served Pakistan’s Army. He was born in Jalandhar, and was the brother of Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik.
Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik Sahib joined the Pakistani Army as a cadet-officer and was later posted in the Army Corps of Engineers.
He completed his BSc in electrical engineering from the Pakistan Military Academy and served in the civil projects of the Pakistani Army.
Abdul Ali Malik Sahib earned distinction for leading the combat engineering formations to mechanised warfare in Chawinda during the 1965 war with India.
He was commander of the 24th infantry brigade in the Sialkot-Phillurah-Chamb sector. It was this place, where the second largest tank battle in history was fought after the Battle of Kursk in World War II.
In this regard, the Daily Amroz wrote:
The Force Commander, Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik, did not allow the opponent army to succeed in its intentions, despite having more power with respect to weapons and manpower. The bravery, courage, and wisdom of Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik did not let the enemy succeed in its plans.
Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurrat (Crescent of Courage) for his great services." (Daily Amroz, 25 September 1965)
Nawa-e-waqt reported on 25 September 1965 that the Commander-in-Chief, General Muhammad Musa distributed awards among the officers and soldiers. It further wrote:
“The most interesting and breathtaking moment was when two brothers were awarded with Hilal-e-Jurrat. These two brothers are Major General Akhtar Hussain Malik and Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik, who have been awarded with Hilal-e-Jurrat for rendering great services during the current war (of 1965).”
When Abdul Ali Malik Sahib was promoted as a Major General, he commanded the 8th Infantry Division in the western sector of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. He retired from the Army after commanding the I Corps at Mangla.