It has been ever surprising for me to note that whenever the role of Christians in the Armed Forces is either mentioned or written, the specific part related to the British Christian officers have been made taboo. Although the history of Pakistan and Indian armies and even every military unit started under the British Period, however this is neither my subject nor my aim but the role of British Christians cannot be forgotten nor is an act of wrong doing, which cannot be overlooked.
It is crucial to remember that Pakistani Christians do not take pleasure in the achievements by British Christians because of any ethnic or genealogical ties, the native Christian community and the British colonial Christians are clearly separated.
However, historically, British Christian officers were selected as chiefs of all the three Pakistani Armed Forces during the time of the nation’s building. The founder of Pakistan made this decision because, at the time, there were not many indigenous or Muslim officers who were considered suitable for such high positions.
For example, a Commodore in the Navy, a Colonel in the Army, and a Squadron Leader in the Air Force were the highest ranking officers among the available locals.
The split of military infrastructure was another urgent issue during the partition of Sindh and India. The majority of military training facilities and academies stayedin India, as a result, senior officers with the know-how to start from scratch or building new institutions were desperately needed by the fledgling Pakistan Armed Forces. These officers’ appointment turned out to be a wise one. The establishment of Pakistan’s fundamental military training institutions was made possible in large part by British Christian officers. This contribution is acknowledged in military circles but is rarely mentioned in civilian discourse, possibly because political narratives are updated every few decades to reflect current demands or because political leaders frequently choose popular over historically accurate options.
The truth is that the institutions established during those formative years were largely responsible for the Pakistan Armed Forces’ current level of internationally acclaimed professionalism. The founding of the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul serves as a noteworthy illustration.
Following approval by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, Brigadier Francis H. G. Ingall, a British Christian officer, was assigned to lead, who was picked by Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, the final Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Army.
In Brigadier Ingall’s autobiography, “The Last of the Bengal Lancers”, he describes the details of his painstaking commitment to the academy. His contributions were honored with his name given for PMA’s main hall. In 1982, the Pakistani government assigned him its Honorary Consul General, after his retirement in 1951 and his immigration to the United States.
Until his passing away on August 21, 1998, his relationship with PMA remained strong. For nearly a decade after independence, British Christian officers continued to serve as the heads of all three forces of Pakistan’s military. For example:
Army Chiefs
• General Frank Messervy (15 August 1947 – 10 February 1948)
• General Douglas Gracey (11 February 1948 – 16 January 1951)
Navy Chiefs
• Rear Admiral James Wilfred Jefford• (15 August 1947 – 30 January 1953)
Air Force Chiefs
• Air Vice Marshal Allan Perry-Keene (15 August 1947 – 17 February 1949) o Air Vice Marshal Richard Atcherley (18 February 1949 – 6 May 1951)
• Air Vice Marshal William Keirn (7 May 1951 – June 1955)
• Air Vice Marshal Arthur McDonald (20 June 1955 – 22 July 1957)
Historical discourse should retain the ten-year influence of British Christians on Pakistan’s military. With access to military archives, Pakistani Muslim military officers are in a prime position to do in-depth research on this topic.
Regretfully, people have difficulty accessing official military records, and Christian officers fear frequent public interaction. However, this early period cannot be erased from the history since it was during this time that our national institutions were simultaneously fertilized with seeds of merit and sectarian, ethnic, and ideological under the influences of international forces. As Dr. Mujahid Mansoori has aptly stated, “A state’s stability depends on educating future generations with a factual account of national history. Living nations ensure this by institutionalizing historical awareness.” Therefore, exploring the role of Christians—both British and Pakistani—in the defense of Pakistan is not only an academic imperative but a national necessity. The essential needs for national development is to provide guidance to the concerned in every walk of life.
Taking the Air Force as an initial example, we observe that the foundational framework of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was predominantly British-led. Out of the 217 officers who initially applied to join PAF, only two—Squadron Leader Muhammad Khan Janjua and Squadron Leader Haider Raza—were in senior positions. This highlights the dominant role British Christians played in structuring the early PAF.
While comprehensive lists are unavailable for the Army and Navy, existing evidence suggests similar trends. That said, the contributions of local Pakistani Christians to the defense of the nation are no less significant and deserve due recognition. The scholars, especially defense writers should write books on this subject for the peoples’ awareness as the records exist in the archives of all three armed forces.
It will enable to draw a future planning and bringing clarity among the masses who may be skeptical about the other that everyone is an enemy. On the other hand at the time of establishment of Pakistan, there were 3000 sailors and only two officers. HMS Chaudhry was the only top ranking local Commodore. For instance, the first Pakistani Air Force officer to shed blood in battle in 1948 was a Christian: Flight Lieutenant Alfred Jagjeevan. He participated in a mission alongside Air Commodore Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar (later awarded Sitara-e-Jurat). Their aircraft came under attack near Chilas by two Indian Tempest fighter aircrafts. When threatened via radio by the Indian pilots, Jagjeevan defiantly told his commander, “Dogar, don’t surrender—we live for Pakistan and shall die for Pakistan.” He was gravely wounded by 20mm gunfire, and despite his injuries, became a symbol of unwavering bravery.
Similarly, on 6 January 1949, a Christian cadet perished in a training flight crash just days before his graduation—becoming one of the first martyrs of PAF. Another notable name is Wing Commander Marvin Leslie Middlecoat, a two-time recipient of the Sitara-e-Jurat who was martyred in the 1971 war and had previously earned the title “Protector of Karachi” in 1965. In total, four Christian officers of the Pakistan Air Force have laid down their lives for the country. My six books on the topic of “The Role of Christians in the Defense of Pakistan” are approaching every child of the nation.
In the Army, around 70 Christians—including four officers—have embraced martyrdom in the wars of 1948, 1965, 1971, Kargil, and the ongoing operations against terrorism. From the outset the Navy with only 200 officers and 3,000 sailors, eight Christian personnel have been martyred. These contributions demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the Christian community to Pakistan’s defense. Among the most inspiring stories is that of Lieutenant Attard, who was martyred on the Eastern Front in East Pakistan. Before dying, he reportedly told surgeons on the operating table, “Give this bullet to my mother, and tell her I took it in the chest defending the motherland.” This phrase has since become legendary within the military and Christian community.
There have been about 100 Christian martyrs in Pakistan’s armed forces overall. Rear Admiral Mungavin, a former Deputy Naval Chief, and Air Vice Marshal Eric G. Hall, a Sitara-e-Jurat recipient and former Deputy Air Chief, are among six Christian officers who have attained the rank of Major General or its equivalent. One-star Generals (Brigadiers or equivalents) have included at least 28 Christian officers.
Notably, Major General Julian Peter fought alongside Major Akram Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) during the Battle of Burki; Air Commodore Nazir Latif led Rashid Minhas Shaheed; Lt. Colonel Cyril Leinan commanded Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed; and Major Sarmas Ruff served beside Captain Karnal Sher Khan and Havaldar Lalak Jan during Kargil—all of whom were awarded the Nishan-e-Haider. Christian cadets have also achieved top honors, including the coveted Sword of Honour in all three services academies. One cadet was even selected for training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. Christian personnel have received numerous gallantry awards:
• 7 Sitara-e-Jurat
• 3 Tamgha-e-Jurat
• 9 Sitara-e-Basalat
• 11 Tamgha-e-Basalat
• And many Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and commendation certificates.
Major General Noel Israel Khokhar, a distinguished officer and course mate of former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, narrowly missed promotion to Lieutenant General in 2014—a milestone that would have made him the first local Christian to reach three-star rank. Nevertheless, officers like Major General Moazzam Julian, currently commanding a division, continue to inspire hope. He is the first Christian to serve in a commando battalion. Many Christian families, such as the Shroff Brothers, the Attard Family, the Tressler Brothers, and the Shams Family, have had multiple members serve in the military.
On the evening of May 6–7, 2025 Christian officers, NCOs, JCOs, and troops joined their Muslim counterparts in retaliatory actions against Indian aggression. It is anticipated that Christian names will surely be among the recipients when the heroism awards are announced.
