The story of the air force in the subcontinent began from PAF Base Faisal Karachi on 08 October 1932, then known as IAF Station Drigh Road. The No 1 Squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) was formed there with four Westland Wapti biplanes, 6 pilots (5 of whom were natives) and 19 airmen (known as Hawai Sepoy to differentiate them from other soldiers). The first operational flight of the IAF was launched on 01st April 1933 from Drigh Road Karachi. The unit took five years to reach its full strength.
On 01st April 1941, No 2 Squadron was raised at Peshawar under the command of the first Muslim fighter pilot of the subcontinent, Flight Lieutenant Aizad Baksh Awan. Later, No 3 and No 4 Squadron were raised at Peshawar in October 1941 and February 1942, respectively. The initial four Squadrons of the IAF were commissioned in areas now belonging to Pakistan. The inaugural Squadron Commander of No 4 Squadron was also a Muslim, Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan, famously known as Bulbul Khan. He earned this nick name for his outstanding flying skills at Cranwell, UK. Interestingly, by 1947, only four native RIAF / IAF officers had commanded two Squadrons each before the partition; Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan was one of them. He had distinguished himself as an outstanding professional early in his career.
Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan was born on 01st January 1915. He was the second son of Mr Ataullah Khan, a senior government official in the Postal Department of India. After his early education, he joined the 5th IAF Cranwell Course in the UK, and earned his commission on 27th July 1935. He was the top graduate of his course. After completing initial training, he underwent Army Cooperation Course at RAF Old Sarum on Wapiti aircraft. This was followed by attachment to operational RAF Squadrons until he was declared a proficient fighter pilot and fit to join the only Squadron of the IAF at Drigh Road Karachi. He reported to No 1 Squadron on 01st June 1936.
Owing to operational requirements in the North, No 1 Squadron was shifted from Drigh Road to Ambala. In March 1939, the command of the first IAF Squadron was handed over to the first native commander Sqn Ldr Subroto Mukerjee, and the Squadron was re-equipped with Hawker Harts by mid-1939. During his formative years at Ambala, Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan got groomed with the best IAF professionals at that time. His squadron commander was Subroto Mukerjee who became the first Indian Air Chief in 1954, while Arjun Singh, who became the only Marshal of the Air Force in the subcontinent, was among his juniors. After having spent some time at Ambala, Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan was posted to No 2 Coastal Defence Flight, Drigh Road, in October 1940. He was then posted back to the North, joining No 2 Squadron in 1941, where he was shuttled between the Miranshah and Kohat Flights of the unit.
During his early service, he figured prominently among the native RIAF pioneers. Owing to his charismatic personality, his picture often appeared in the films, newspapers and magazines promoting the Air Force’s image. I happened to read one such article “New Race of Modern Bird Men”. It was a narrative written to highlight the IAF as a glorious career path for the youth, in which he figured prominently because of his impressive bearing and demeanour. True to what I had heard from my elders about Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan, he had an impressive personality with a touch of flamboyance.
In February 1942, he was tasked to raise No 4 Squadron at Peshawar comprising Westland Lysanders. He was the second native Muslim to raise a Squadron. It was the third Westland Lysander Squadron of IAF and later, the largest operator of this type of aircraft. The allocated aircraft were ferried in from Lahore and other units. Soon, the Squadron manpower reached 19 officers and 42 airmen. The Squadron’s main task was to take over the duties of No 1 Sqn which moved to the Burma front. The major component of the No 4 Squadron operated from Kohat and its other flight from Miranshah. The squadron immediately began operations in its area of responsibility. Its aircraft were armed with front-spar-mounted .303 guns and 112-lb bombs. The unit mainly conducted training missions, supply and mail-dropping, radio-telephony, reconnaissance, and tactical operations supporting the Royal Indian Army’s ground objectives. No 4 Squadron took part in active operations in Waziristan and Sindh to support British forces. In short, Sqr Ldr Habibullah Khan’s wartime command involved managing internal security and frontier defense responsibilities. No 4 squadron also conducted night operations under his command, a feat for which he was highly appreciated. From No 4 Squadron, he was posted to Quetta for the staff college course in August 1941.
After completing the staff college course in October 1942, Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan was given command of No 2 Squadron at Peshawar. By now, the Squadron had converted to Hawker Hurricane MKIIB aircraft. In April 1943, No 2 Squadron was tasked to relocate to the Eastern front to support British Army’s Burma campaign against Japanese forces. The Squadron immediately commenced its ferry for the East. During preparatory training period for Burma at Ranchi, while flying over Hazaribagh (near Ramgarh) on 21st April 1943, his aircraft engine flamed out. He tried to force-land his Hawker Hurricane. Due to the undulating terrain, the landing resulted in a thumping impact, destroying the aircraft and resulting in his tragic death. Unfortunately, his great career came to an end at the young age of 28. For his dedicated service and sacrifice, Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan appears on the roll of honour of that era. He is considered a vital member of the pioneering team of the military aviation in the subcontinent.
I was posted to India immediately after the 1999 Kargil crisis as Air Advisor at the Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi. Over there, I met many senior serving and retired IAF officers at diplomatic and official functions. Among them was Lyallpur-born former IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal Arjun Singh. During my social interactions with him, he would always say, “What is the problem with you Pakistanis? You are always up to something.” I used to reply, “Sir, give us Kashmir and there will never be a problem between us.” The conversation would conclude with both of us exchanging smiles, yet standing firm on our respective positions.
On 08 October 2002, Marshal of the IAF, Arjun Singh, was Chief guest at the IAF’s 70th Anniversary Parade at Hindon, New Delhi. The diplomatic community in Delhi was invited to the event. We got the opportunity to meet in a hangar after the parade where refreshments were being served. While discussing his journey to Five Star Rank, he spoke of his role models in the service. Among them, he fondly remembered Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan with whom he had served in No 1 and No 2 Squadrons at Karachi, Ambala, Peshawar and Miranshah. When I told him that he was related to me, he hardly believed me. I told him his nickname was Bulbul Khan. He counter-checked by asking Mrs Habibullah’s maiden name. After confirming my connection with Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan, he walked up to the table, loaded a plate with snacks with his trembling hands (probably he was suffering from some ailment), and presented it to me, saying it was the least he could do for a person related to one of his role models. It was a great gesture to honour his comrade and senior.
I felt honoured to hear extremely good words for Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan from the most senior Air Force officer of the subcontinent who deeply admired and revered him as a professional. This was my last interaction with the Marshal of the IAF, Arjun Singh, before my departure from India, and for once we parted with converging views, holding Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan in ‘High Regard’. May Sqn Ldr Habibullah Khan and his wife rest in peace. Aameen.
