During the war with India in 1965, he was Director-General of Military Operations, DGMO (then known as Director of Military Operations, DMO) and directed military operations against the Indian Army. His actions of valor won him the nomination of prestigious Sitara-e-Pakistan by the President. In 1967, he was made GOC of the 1st Armoured Division of the Armoured Corps stationed in Multan, Punjab. In 1969, he was promoted to three-star rank as lieutenant-general and subsequently was the Chief of General Staff (CGS) at the Army GHQ.