During the war with India in 1965, Capt. Khan served as one of the commanding officers in the 24th Cavalry in Frontier Force Regiment. In the view of Mahmud Ali Durrani, the former NSA of Pakistan government, Capt. Khan was noted for his leadership in maintaining the performance of the tanks in the Armoured Corps and was quoted: "With an excellent commanding officer and sound senior officers, our Regiment 25 Cavalry was jelled into a highly professional force which proved its mettle in the 1965 war with India and earned the title of 'Men of Steel'." He later served in the Western front of the third war with India in 1971.