# Mujahid Anwar Khan

Mujahid Anwar Khan (Urdu: مجاہد انور خان) NI(C), NI(M), HI(M), SI(M), TI(M), is a retired air chief marshal and the former 15th Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. On 19 March 2018, ACM Anwar took over command of the Pakistan Air Force from his predecessor ACM Sohail Aman.
Born in a Punjabi Rajput Sulehria Family originally from Zafarwal. Khan was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of PAF in December 1983. During his illustrious career, he commanded a fighter squadron, a flying wing, two operational air bases PAF Base Shahbaz and PAF Base Mushaf and a regional air command.
He is a graduate of Combat Commanders' School, Command and Staff College, Jordan and National Defence University, Islamabad.
Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan holds a master's degree in War Studies and Defence Management. He is also a recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military).
In his previous appointments, he has also served as Personal Staff Officer to Chief of the Air Staff, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations), Director General C4I, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Support) and Director General Air Force Strategic Command at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. The Air Chief has flown various training and fighter aircraft including F-16, F-6, FT-5, T-37 and MFI-17 Mushhak. In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military), Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Civilian), and Turkish Legion of Merit.
In 2024, he was appointed as the global goodwill ambassador of Niaz Support, a social enterprise in Pakistan that provides customized wheelchairs for those with disabilities

## Operation Swift Retort

Under the command of Mujahid Anwar Khan in 2019 Pakistan Air Force participated in the 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes between 26-27 February 2019. On 27th February 2019 the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) conducted six airstrikes at multiple locations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The airstrikes were part of the PAF military operation codenamed Operation Swift Retort and were conducted in retaliation to the Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrike in Balakot just a day before on 26 February.
Following Pakistan's airstrikes, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets started pursuing Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets. In the resulting dogfight, Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian jets and captured one Indian pilot, Abhinandan Varthaman. India claimed to have shot down one Pakistani F16 without giving substantive evidence to support its claim.
As a result of the fog of war created out of the dogfight between two airforces, Indian Airforce shot down its own Mil Mi-17 helicopter due to a friendly fire incident in which six IAF personnel were killed including two squadron leaders, namely, Siddarth Vashista and Ninad Mandavgane.

## Awards and decorations

PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours) :
| Parachutist Badge ||||
| Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Civilian) (Order of Excellence) | Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Civilian) (Order of Excellence) | Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) | Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) |
| Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) | Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Star of Excellence) | Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Medal of Excellence) | Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998 |
| Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan (Escalation with India Medal) 2002 | Tamgha-e-Azm (Medal of Conviction) (2018) | 10 Years Service Medal | 20 Years Service Medal |
| 30 Years Service Medal | 35 Years Service Medal | 40 Years Service Medal | Hijri Tamgha (Hijri Medal) 1979 |
| Jamhuriat Tamgha (Democracy Medal) 1988 | Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990 | Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997 | Turkish Legion of Merit 2018 |

### Foreign Decorations

Foreign Award :
| Turkey | Turkish Legion of Merit |

## Effective dates of promotion

| Rank | Date |
| Air Chief Marshal | Mar 19, 2018 |
| Air Marshal | Feb 29, 2016 |
| Air Vice Marshal | July 2, 2013 |
| Air Commodore | Sept. 1, 2009 |
| Group Captain | Mar 15, 2004 |
| Wing Commander | Aug 1, 1998 |
| Squadron Leader | Aug 9, 1990 |
| Flight Lieutenant | Mar 8, 1987 |
| Flying Officer | Mar 1, 1985 |
| Pilot Officer | Dec 5, 1983 |