Nazir Latif
{{more citations needed|date=March 2012}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Notability|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
| name =Nazir Latif
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1927|07|10}}
| death_date = {{Death date|df=yes|2011|06|30}}
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial =Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
| birth_place =Rawalpindi, Punjab Province,
British Indian Empire
| death_place =Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)
| placeofburial_coordinates =
| nickname =Bill Latif
| birth_name =Nazir Latif
| allegiance ={{PAK}}
| branch ={{air force|PAK}}
| serviceyears =1950–1972
| rank =14px Air Commodore
| servicenumber =
| unit =No. 5 Squadron Falcons
| commands =No. 7 Squadron Bandits
No. 6 Squadron Globe Trotters
No. 16 Squadron Panthers
No. 17 Squadron Tigers
Masroor Air Force Base
Faisal Air Force Base
Director of Operations and Plans at the Air Headquarters (DOPAHQ)
| battles =Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Aerial warfare in 1965 India Pakistan War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
East Pakistan Air Operations, 1971
| battles_label =
| awards =Sitara-e-Jurat (1965)
Sitara-e-Jurat (1971)
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
Nazir Latif SJ and Bar (10 July 1927 – 30 June 2011) was an air commodore in the Pakistan Air Force[https://tribune.com.pk/story/2345403/minorities-in-armed-forces The Express Tribune February 27, 2022] and a former director-general of the Operations and Plans at the Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Latif was one of the distinguished Christian pilots who participated and fought, for Pakistan side, in 1965 Indo-Pak War and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Air Force career
Bill Latif had always wanted to be a fighter pilot and joined the Pakistan Air Force soon after the Creation of Pakistan in 1947. He was accepted in Pakistan Air Force Academy in 1947. He did 8th GD pilot's course but because of his high standard in flying, was upgraded to the 7th GD (P) course and graduated in 1950. Nazir was sent to Great Britain where he attended and graduated from Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1954.
In 1958, he was promoted to Wing Commander when Air Marshal Asghar Khan assumed as Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.
In 1971 he was base commander of the Mauripur Base.[https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-article&id=106 Inter-Services Public Relations website Accessed 4 October 2016] Latif was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat twice for his services in 1965 and 1971 wars between Pakistan and India.[https://www.geo.tv/latest/156717-1965-war-an-ode-to-minorities-in-pakistans-armed-forces Geo TV News September 6, 2017]
Latif worked in Khorramshahr, Iran, Amman, Jordan and Bahrain between the years from 1976 until he retired in his mid 70's.
In 2007 he was shot and injured by some unidentified persons while out walking.CRIME (Retd Air Force officer shot injured). PPI - Pakistan Press International. April 10, 2007. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Latif died on June 30, 2011, in the Pakistan Air Force Hospital in Islamabad.{{cite web |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/644645/obituary-remembering-bill |title=Obituary: Remembering Bill |date=16 July 2011 |publisher=Dawn}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://defencejournal.com/dec98/christian.htm Defence Journal]
- [http://www.historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15896 History of PIA]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100809020503/http://www.defence.pk/forums/military-history/12090-gallant-christians-paf.html Defence Journal]
- [http://paffalcons.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2063 PAF Falcons]
{{Recipients of Sitara-e-Jurat}}
{{military of Pakistan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Latif, Nazir}}
Category:Pakistan Air Force officers
Category:Graduates of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Category:Recipients of Sitara-e-Jurat