Air Commodore MM Alam will always live in the hearts of fighter pilots, engineers and technicians of Pakistan Air Force for his dauntless valor in air battle, for his patriotism, and high integrity. Alam was awarded Sitara Jurrat twice for valor in air combat during the 1965 war with India. He was a Squadron Leader at the time. In the first air battle on September 06, 1965 with the Indian Air Force fighters over IAF Base Halwara Alam shot down one IAF Hunter. On September 07, 1965, he shot down five IAF Hunter fighters in less than one minute. The first four in thirty seconds. He shot two of them with Sidewinder missiles and three with cannon fire. These Hunters had attacked Sargodha Air Base and were exiting. Soon after he shot down four IAF Mystere fighters. Alam’s confirmed kills conceded by the Indian Air Force were:
September 07, 1965-
One Hawker Hunter – Squadron leader Ajit Kumar Rawlley of No. 7 Squadron
One Hawker Hunter – Squadron Leader Onkar Nath Kakar No. 27 Squadron
One Hawker Hunter – Squadron Leader A B Devayya No. 7 Squadron
One Hawker Hunter – Squadron Leader Suresh B Bhagwat No. 7 Squadron
One Hawker Hunter – Flight Lieutenant B Guha – No. 7 squadron
One Hawker Hunter – Flying Officer Jagdev Singh Brar- No. 7 Squadron September 16 1965
One Hawker Hunter – Flying Officer Farouk Dara Bunsha – No. 7 Squadron
By shooting down nearly half of No 7 IAF Hunter fighter squadron, MM Alam created terror and fear in the Indian Air Force. He assured PAF’s victory in the 1965 air war, because Indian Air Force stopped attacks on PAF Sargodha. Henceforth IAF aircraft made fleeting, random and inaccurate air attacks, which caused no damage on the ground. He laid down the basis of PAF’s air superiority in the 1965 war.
On his 6 September he attacked the well defended IAF Halwara Air Base, but was intercepted by several Indian Hunter fighters. Having shot down one Hunter he broke engagement and returned with his formation of four Saber Jets, when his formation was intercepted, but fought his way out by damaging three more IAF Hunters. While over the Indian territory he warned Squadron Leaders Sarfaraz Rafaqui who was on his way to attack Halwara with only three F-86 Sabre jets, that he must watch out for several IAF fighters over Halwara. A lesser man would have turned about. But dashing Rafiqui in the highest tradition of Pakistan Air Force pressed on with the attack. The three PAF fighters were intercepted by several IAF Hunters. In the unequal air combat the guns of Rafiqui’s Saber Jet jammed. He asked Flight Lieutenant Cecil Chaudhry to take over command, but did not break away to exit. His crippled F-86 Sabre was shot down by Indian Hunter fighters. That day Pakistan Air Force lost the bravest fighter pilot, and dauntless squadron commander. In his memory Shorkot Air Base was renamed Rafiqui Air Force Base. Cecil Chaudhry broke the air combat after destroying one IAF Hunter. Alam had destroyed twelve IAF fighters in air combat and damaged three.
Alam was a daring and fearless fighter pilot in air combat. He became a role model for fighter pilots in the PAF. He underwent Fighter Leaders Course, PAF Staff College Course, and Royal college of Defense Studies – RCDS in the United Kingdom. His important PAF appointments were Air Gunnery and Tactical Instructor at The Fighter Leader School. He commanded No 5, 11 and 26 Fighter Squadrons. He held key staff appointments of Director Operational Research, Assistant Chief of Air staff (ACAS) Flight Safety and ACAS Plans at PAF Air Headquarter. He went on deputation to the Syrian Air Force and flew Mig-21 fighters against Israeli Air Force.
In due course of time M M Alam rose to the rank of Air Commodore. He was a person of great integrity and character. Flying was his passion and Pakistan Air Force was his life. He believed in the highest standards of honesty in his official dealings and personal life.
After the 1971 war, there was justified anger against the leadership. The politicians and generals had destroyed Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan. There was unrest in the Pakistan Air Force. Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry unwisely had arrested MM Alam and large number of fighter pilots on suspicion of conspiracy. Besides Alam these included Wing Commander Sikander Masud. Sikander was Officer Commanding 32 Fighter Wing at Sargodha in 1965. Most had been awarded Sitara Jurat for valor in the 1965 war. Zafar Chaudhry had planned to court martial MM Alam and 26 other officers. But Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto got very concerned and summoned Air Commodore MM Alam to ascertain the truth. Alam briefed the Prime Minister about the ongoing witch hunting and shattered morale of PAF Officers and airmen, especially that of the fighter pilots. He assured Prime Minister Bhutto of total loyalty of the rank and file of the PAF. Major General Imtiaz, PM’s Military Secretary corroborated Alams statement and the prevailing chaos in the PAF. Alam’s integrity and courage was instrumental in the removal of Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry and appointment of Air Chief Marshal Zulfikar Ali Khan as the Chief of the Air Staff.
A few years later MM Alam felt lack of professional integrity in the way Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim ran the Pakistan Air Force. He thought it his duty to keep the Air Chief informed of rumors about lack of ethics in the way the Air Force was being administered and run. Alam’s advice and criticism angered the Air Chief and was not well taken. MM Alam decided that the high prestige of Pakistan Air Force must not be tarnished and decided to inform President Zia ul Haq about what was being told to him by some in the PAF. Air Chief Marshal Shamim was very close to the President. Zia ul Haq did not accept or endorse Alam’s complaints and grievance against the Air Chief. This was an unfortunate development. Air Chief Marshal Shamim ordered pre-mature retirement of Air Commodore MM Alam. I as Vice Chief of Air Staff till July 23, 1981 and felt grieved and unhappy that the Pakistan Air Force had lost a competent officer of unblemished integrity. Air Commodore MM Alam was retired in 1982. Alam felt deeply hurt and refused his pension. Air Chief Marshal Jamal Ahmed Khan who took over command of Pakistan Air Force after Anwar Shamim, tried his best to persuade MM Alam, who had no other income, to accept his pension, which was his legal and constitutional right. But MM Alam refused.
Then Alam disappeared out of sight. After some time it transpired that he had joined the Afghan Mujahideen to fight the Soviet Army of occupation. One day several months later there was a knock on the door of my Islamabad house after midnight. I opened the door and found a starved person with a beard wearing the Pashtun cap. I did not recognize him till he said, “Can I come in”? I said “Alam what have you done to yourself?”. Alam said, “I am starving, I had nothing to eat since two days.” The way he ate proved it. He was very tired and slept for three days. Then he left and I lost contact with him.
Apart from being a patriot and a great fighter pilot, MM Alam was a good human being and a highly religious person. He should have been the Chief of the Air Staff on merit. May Allah shower His blessings on Alam and give him a place in heaven- Amen
