# Khyber Khan

Mohammad Khyber Khan (15 March 1924 — 7 July 2007) was a Pakistani former two-star rank and among the pioneer officers of the Pakistan Air Force, a fighter pilot, aerobatic pilot and diplomat.
Asghar Khan and Khyber Khan were considered among the likely successors to President Ayub Khan during the collapse of his regime. Khyber was described as "a young, energetic, and popular air force officer in his early forties - who happens to look very much like a younger Ayub Khan."

## Early life

Mohammad Khyber Khan was born into a Pashtun family on 15 March 1924 in Pabbi, near Peshawar. He received his early education from Government Gordon College.

## Royal Indian Air Force career

Khyber Khan was commissioned into the RIAF on 21 December 1942 from the 15th course. He served with No. 22 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RIAF and 151 OTU from 15 June 1943 to 4 July 1944. Afterwards, he was a squadron pilot with No. 9 Squadron from 19 November 1944 to 30 August 1945.
While attempting to land his Harvard IIB at Cox's Bazar on 4 April 1945, it swung badly due to heavy crosswind, causing the undercarriage to collapse.
From 1 August 1945 to 18 January 1946, he was with No. 4 Squadron in Yelahanka and was attached as a squadron pilot to No. 2 Squadron. Before the Partition of British India, Flight Lieutenant Khyber was attached to the Advanced Flying School (India) in Ambala.

## Pakistan Air Force career

After the partition, he was posted as Chief Flying Instructor PAF Conversion School.
Flt Lt. Khyber was among several officers flying liaison missions in T-6 Harvards in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948. He delivered a dispatch from Kashmir regarding the successful Siege of Skardu carried out by the Pakistan Army.
On 15 September 1947, the first flying training school was raised in Pakistan and the first training aircraft was airborne at 1005 hours on 22 September. It was flown by Flt Lt. Khyber Khan and his student Flight Cadet Akhtar.
Khyber Khan was the first to take flight in Pakistan's inaugural air display on Pakistan Day 1948, witnessed by 150,000 people. At precisely 11:00 AM, a Verey light signaled his takeoff. The crowd erupted in cheers as he performed thrilling spins and rolls in the sky.
Wing Commander Khyber Khan was selected to attend the Air Command and Staff College in the USA on 25 April 1951. During his time there, he presented the Commander of the college, General George Kenney, with a pictorial representation of both the USAF and RPAF shields, along with the emblem of the Royal Pakistan Air Force, in a ceremony. It was noted that Khan made these presentations as tokens of appreciation for the opportunity to attend the school and for the hospitality and friendship he received during his tour. He was one of 26 officers from 22 allied nations attending the school.
Khyber Khan was promoted to Air Commodore and appointed as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) on 26 December 1960.
The P.A.F. Golf Tournament concluded on 16 June 1961, with Wing Commander Jebb taking first place. Air Commodore Khyber Khan secured second place with a score of 70, followed by Squadron Leader Karim in third with 72. Air Marshal Asghar Khan and Air Commodore Rehman tied for the best gross score with 91 points each, but Asghar Khan was placed fourth due to lower handicaps. The final results were: Air Marshal Asghar Khan 73; Air Commodore Rehman 74; Air Commodore Qadir 89; Air Commodore Piracha 81; Air Commodore Khyber Khan 70; Group Captain Afridi 79; Wing Commander Misra 80; Wing Commander Marston 73; Wing Commander A. R. Rahman 75; Wing Commander Jebb 78; Squadron Leader Karim 72; Flt. Lt Ahmed 77.

### Diplomatic career

Air Vice Marshal Khyber Khan was appointed as Pakistan's High Commissioner to Kenya and presented his credentials to President Kenyatta on 7 April 1970 with a salary of 2200 rupees.
On 3 March 1972, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto announced the retirement of 43 senior Pakistan Armed Forces personnel including Air Vice Marshal Khyber Khan.
He was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to Mauritania in 1975 and accredited to Mali, The Gambia and Senegal. He signed a trade agreement on 13 March 1975, with Ahmed Ould Die, Secretary General of the Ministry of Commerce of Mauritania, on behalf of their governments.
In 1978, Khyber made a publication in the Pakistan Bar Council Journal.
He relinquished his position as Ambassador of Mauritania on the afternoon of 16 May 1979 and began a 33-day fully paid leave to Pakistan starting on 17 May.

## Death

Khyber Khan died on 27 July 2007 in Pakistan.

## Effective dates of promotion

| Rank | Date |
| Air Vice Marshal | July 1968 |
| Air Commodore | 26 December 1960 |
| Group Captain | 2 January 1958 |
| Wing Commander | 1951 |
| Squadron Leader | October 1948 |
| Flight Lieutenant | August 1947 |
| Flying Officer | 21 December 1943 |
| Pilot Officer | 21 June 1943 |