His son and a brother live in the United States. Military career Musharraf joined the Pakistani army in 1964 and trained as a commando at the military academy of Kakul. He was awarded a medal for gallantry during Pakistan's 1965 war with India, and served as a commando in the 1971 war with India. Between 1971 and 1995, Musharraf held several different positions, including commanding armored divisions and infantry brigades. He was commander of Mangla in Punjab, near the India border, in 1995, and appointed head of the army in October 1998.
Analysts see the general as a political moderate who supports economic reforms.
His sudden rise to power at the head of Tuesday's coup came about after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried to fire him over disagreements about Sharif's policies. Of particular concern was Sharif's decision to end this summer's Islamic incursion into India, widely believed to have been orchestrated by Musharraf. He has kept a distance from the Islamic rebels, however, except to encourage their fight in Kashmir. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.