Mohammad Khan Janjua: A Debated Legacy

In this biography, we’re diving into Air Commodore Mohammad Khan Janjua’s life – the good, the bad, and the controversial. It’s a rollercoaster of a story, filled with high-flying achievements and a few nosedives. His life wasn’t just about flying; it was about the tangled history of a region and how one man can be a hero in one part of the world and something entirely different in another.

The first Army officer to move to the Indian Air Force, mentioned in despatches Waziristan, the first Top Gun and the one who orchestrated a significant and potent force for Pakistan Air Force. This is the story of the man who gave 4 Squadron its name of the Oorials. What is his legacy?

Early Years

Mohammad Khan Janjua was born on May 19, 1914, in Malot, a remote village in Punjab’s Salt Range, Jhelum district. The Rajput community in Malot, including Janjua’s family, descended from Raja Mal and later converted to Islam, becoming known as Muslim Rajputs. Malot’s environment, marked by limited fertile land and salt deposits, provided few livelihood opportunities. Malot’s residents, noted for their military prowess, often joined the British Indian Army.

Janjua’s father, the only educated Muslim in the area, broke family tradition by joining the Mountain Artillery. He excelled as a gunner and deeply understood military law and the Indian Penal Code. He was also a multi-talented author, poet, playwright, composer, and actor known for his liberal and inclusive views, greatly influencing Janjua. As the eldest of nine siblings, Janjua witnessed his father’s emphasis on education to improve their social status and future.

Understanding the importance of English, Janjua attended the Grammar School in Quetta and passed the Cambridge School Certificate exams in December 1932. Before receiving these results, he had cleared the Public Service Commission exam, qualifying him for the Indian Army. He joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun in February 1933 and became a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army on July 15, 1935. Initially, he served with the 2nd Battalion of The Highland Light Infantry, a British unit in India. By August 1936, he had transferred to the 1st Battalion of the 7th Rajput Regiment, known today as the 4 Guards.

Move to the Indian Air Force

By 1938, five years after its inception, the Indian Air Force saw modest growth in its personnel. To expand its ranks, Group Captain Bussell, head of training, and Mr. Tooke from Air Headquarters devised a plan to recruit Army officers for the IAF. On September 20, 1938, Janjua was among three officers chosen and seconded to the IAF, driven by unfulfillment with his Army role, as noted in his biography.

The three officers underwent initial ground training in India before proceeding to the 4 Flying Training School in Abu Suir, Egypt. There, they trained on aircraft like the Hawker Audax and Harts. By March 1939, they completed their training, with Janjua first amongst equals. This achievement was historic: they were the first Army officers to become pilots in the IAF, a feat symbolised by the wings on their army jackets.

Janjua joined C Flight of the No. 1 Squadron, IAF, under the leadership of Flying Officer Karun Krishna “Jumbo” Majumdar. His fellow trainees, Atma Ram and Burhan-u-din, were also part of this flight. In August 1939, as World War II began, Janjua, as part of “Q Flight” under Flight Lieutenant Awan, was deployed to Karachi for coastal defence operational duties alongside the Royal Indian Navy. Their potential operational areas included the Persian Gulf, Mekran, or Jiwani. This mission was Janjua’s first real operational flying experience with armed aircraft.

Coastal Defence

In early September 1939, Awan described a mission where Janjua, flying as number 5 in a six-Hart formation, flew over the sea past Manora Point’s eight guns. The air gunners in the back seat operated their swivelling Lewis guns. This period was marked by heightened vigilance due to the known war activities of German pocket battleships. Additionally, Q Flight started conducting night operations with the Navy, enhancing their skills in diverse combat situations.

In February 1940, Janjua found himself in a humorous situation. After a night sortie over the sea, he and his gunner reported seeing “millions of stars twinkling below the aircraft,” leaving their colleagues sceptical. Mehar Singh humorously resolved the confusion and pointed out that Janjua and his gunner had been flying upside down, their aircraft still fully equipped with their bombs, machine guns, wireless sets, and camera. It appears that Janjua had unintentionally given excessive bank and rudder to one side, causing the aircraft to flip over its back.

In October 1940, as tribal unrest escalated in the Northwest Frontier Province and some RAF squadrons were moved to Southeast Asia, Q Flight was instructed to return to their base in Ambala. Janjua was among the pilots who flew one of the six Hart and Audax planes back to their original unit

Flight Commander duties

In April 1941, the Indian Air Force established the No. 2 Squadron in Peshawar, appointing Sqn Ldr Awan as the Commanding Officer. Janjua, transferring from 1 Squadron, was among the first six pilots to join. His career advanced on July 18, 1941, when he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and took command of B Flight of 2 Squadron, overseeing three Audax and one Wapiti aircraft.

In September 1941, Janjua’s squadron relocated to Kohat. At that time, Janjua was unaware that Kohat would become his base for most of his active flying career. A significant event for Janjua occurred on October 18, 1941, when he was one of the four officers from 2 Squadron attending the crest award ceremony for 1 Squadron.

November 1941 marked a period of intense field training for Janjua as he engaged in live firing exercises with the 6th Medium Regiment at Nowshera. Following this, he played a vital role in the squadron’s transition to new aircraft, piloting the first Lysander from Drigh Road depot. Over the following months, the Squadron executed various army cooperation missions across India, including Poona, Secunderabad, and Arkonam. However, in August 1942, Janjua’s tenure with 2 Squadron ended as he was assigned to an administrative course in Chakrata.

Numerous operations in Waziristan marked Janjua’s over fifteen months with 2 Squadron. His exceptional service during this period led to notable recognition: he was one of only three IAF officers, along with Aspy Engineer and Subroto Mukerjee, commended for distinguished services in Waziristan in 1942.

4 Squadron command

Following his promotion to Squadron Leader, Janjua became the 2nd Commanding Officer of the 4 Squadron of the Indian Air Force at Kohat on September 10, 1942. A notable achievement during his command was in March 1943, when the Squadron proposed its crest and motto, featuring the Oorial. This design, influenced by Janjua, remains the emblem of 4 Squadron.

In September 1943, Janjua and two other officers became the first from the Indian Air Force to join the Air Fighting Training Unit (AFTU) at Amarda Road, led by ace pilot Frank Carey. The AFTU provided extensive training in gunnery, navigation, bombing, fighter affiliation, and formation flying, akin to the modern “Top Gun.”

After completing this advanced training, Janjua returned to 4 Squadron in November 1943 to resume command. His tenure as commanding officer ended on March 24, 1944, leading to a posting at the Operations Directorate in Air Headquarters.

Following a brief period at the Group Headquarters until August 1945, Janjua’s career took a significant turn. He was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed Deputy President of the Services Selection Board in Dehra Dun. This role marked a crucial change in his career, influencing and reshaping his perspectives.

Staff roles

In the year leading up to India’s independence, Janjua’s biography highlights his growing interest in politics and the burgeoning movement for India’s independence, which stirred his support for creating a Muslim homeland. His involvement extended beyond his military responsibilities as he wrote articles and analyses on social and political topics under a pseudonym.

During the severe communal riots in Calcutta following the Muslim League’s Direct Action Day in November 1946, Janjua was reassigned to Air Headquarters in Delhi to lead the manning directorate. This period was critical as India approached partition, leading to the formation of the Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee. As the senior-most Muslim officer in the Air Force subcommittee, Janjua played a pivotal role. Flight Lieutenant MB Piracha, later Air Commodore, worked alongside Janjua, focusing on segregating records of officers who chose to serve in Pakistan after partition.

Janjua’s biography reflects on his significant involvement in three critical areas after the announcement of India’s partition on June 3, 1947. His responsibilities included briefing politicians on the status of Muslim personnel and equipment in the Indian Air Force, aiding in the division of IAF assets for Pakistan, and securing weapons for Muslims in areas west and northwest of Delhi who were facing attacks. This period he marked a crucial phase in his career, intertwining his military role with significant political and national developments.

Championing Pakistan Air Force

During the pivotal period of India’s partition and the formation of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the headquarters had a team of eight senior officers, which included five British members. Janjua was promoted to Group Captain on August 14, 1947, and took on the role of Senior Officer in charge of Administration (SOA) at the PAF Headquarters. Had the partition not taken place, Janjua was in line to become the Station Commander of the Advanced Flying School in Ambala, a position that Arjan Singh assumed on August 15, 1947.

While some articles suggest animosity towards Indian officers around the time of partition, I have overlooked these claims due to inconsistencies despite aligning with his general sentiment. In 1949, Janjua was invited to and attended a reunion of 1 Squadron in Delhi.

On January 1, 1948, Janjua was promoted to Air Commodore and took the Air Officer In-charge Administration (AOA) role. His contributions during the nascent stages of the Pakistan Air Force were crucial and underscored by his strong commitment to its development. This commitment often put him at odds with his British Commander-in-Chief. For example, while the Commander-in-Chief recommended training ten pilots per course, Janjua advocated for and successfully pushed for thirty pilots, demonstrating his ambition for the PAF’s rapid growth.

Janjua’s approach to expanding the PAF brought him close interaction with political leaders, blending military responsibilities with political considerations. This dual role presented unique challenges, especially in the politically charged atmosphere.  

During the 1947 Kashmir conflict, Janjua played a vital role. Major Anwar approached him for arms and ammunition, and Janjua saw supporting Kashmiri volunteers against the Dogra ruler as justifiable. He provided support and professional technical assistance, reportedly without the Chief’s knowledge. The PAF executed supply missions along the Indus Valley, carefully avoiding detection by the Indian Air Force.

During the PAF’s formative years, there was debate over its expansion strategy. In May 1948, Air Vice Marshal Perry-Keene’s medical leave led to Air Commodore Janjua’s temporary appointment as acting officiating Commander-in-Chief (then known as Air Commander) of the PAF, a role he held until October 1948. This period marked a significant turning point in Janjua’s career and future.

Differences with C-in-C

The Pakistani government, possibly swayed by Janjua’s views, initiated a robust build-up of the nation’s military capabilities. Janjua believed the existing plans for expanding the PAF were not ambitious enough. However, Air Vice Marshal Perry-Keene was sceptical of these aggressive growth ambitions, comparing them to a “tout le monde au bataille” approach, meaning “everyone in battle.” His reservations stemmed from concerns about insufficient maintenance support and a lack of a trained workforce for a more extensive expansion.

Janjua’s vision for the PAF’s growth faced challenges and did not fully materialise. He refocused his efforts on achieving the PAF’s expansion objectives by 1952, a goal that once again placed him at the centre of the conflict. One of the critical areas of disagreement was the PAF’s re-equipment program. Janjua faced opposition from his British Chief-in-Command, particularly over the decision to modernise the fleet rather than purchasing surplus Spitfire aircraft. This choice to prioritise modernisation over acquiring older models led to a significant confrontation with his Chief-in-Command. The situation was further complicated when the Prime Minister of Pakistan authorised the release of new aircraft to India, a move that likely exacerbated tensions within the PAF’s leadership.

His differing views with British officers on these plans led to strained relations, culminating in his removal from the position of Deputy Air Commander. The post of Deputy Air Commander, which Janjua held, was declared unofficial. Following this redefinition of his role in January 1949, Janjua was directed to undertake a long special mission abroad.

Janjua was brought back into service soon as a new British C-in-C AVM Atcherley took charge. The mutual disdain did not change. Janjua took over Training and Reserves. In early 1950, he was selected for a staff course at the Imperial Defence College in London. Upon his return to the Pakistan Air Force, Janjua remained undeterred in his commitment to the force’s development as the Director of Personnel.

Rawalpindi Conspiracy

On 9 March 1951, Janjua was put under house arrest after a brief meeting with the Chief of Air Staff. In May he was arrested for alleged involvement in what became known as the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case. This case accused him, alongside other military officers and civilians, of conspiring to overthrow the state and collaborating with foreign agencies.

A special tribunal consisting of three judges was set up to address these severe charges. The trial was extensive, involving examining 208 witnesses for the prosecution. The prosecution counsel’s arguments spanned 42 days, followed by the defence presenting their case over 73 days. The verdict, delivered on January 5, 1953, resulted in Janjua being sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Janjua’s involvement in this apparent anti-government conspiracy came amidst his strong advocacy for appointing a Pakistani Chief-in-Command and his push for an ambitious military growth plan. However, the perceived severity of his actions about the government’s stance at the time may have been overstated.

Post-military service years

After his release from prison on April 12, 1955, Janjua significantly transitioned from military to political life. He co-founded the National Awami Party (NAP) alongside notable figures like Wali Khan and Maulana Bhashani. The NAP was distinguished by its secular, democratic, and patriotic principles. It stood against military alliances such as the Baghdad Pact and SEATO, aligning itself with non-alignment and anti-imperialist ideologies.

Initially, the NAP showed promise in Pakistan’s political landscape, but its progress was abruptly halted by the enforcement of Martial Law under Ayub Khan in October 1958. This political upheaval led to a period of inactivity for the NAP, posing challenges for its members, including Janjua.

In September 1959, seeking a fresh start, Janjua joined Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), moving to London by Christmas Eve to become PIA’s District Manager for the UK and Ireland. He later advanced to Regional Manager, overseeing operations from Iran to the USA. Janjua’s tenure at PIA ended in June 1964 due to declining health and the challenges of continuing his role in Karachi. Post-resignation, he chose to reside in the United Kingdom, where he lived until he died in 1982. Denied a ride back by the PIA, Janjua was put to rest in the United Kingdom.

Summary

Janjua’s legacy is indeed multifaceted, perceived differently in Pakistan and India, often evoking contrasting sentiments. In India, particularly among Indian Air Force historians, his early contributions to the IAF are acknowledged as significant and influential, especially in the IAF’s formative years. Similarly, in Pakistan, his role in driving the growth of the PAF is recognized, at least in its intent.

However, the latter part of his career, characterised by his political ambitions and involvement, led to outcomes that have contributed to a more negative perception of him in both countries. His involvement in the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case and his subsequent political activities, especially during a period fraught with tension and transition, like the partition of India, added complexity to his public image.

But the jury on Mohammad Khan Janjua will remain open depending on which facet of the man is being judged.