F.B. Ali

Brigadier F.B. Ali SJ IS TBt
Native name	فرخ بخت علی
Born	8 February 1929 Delhi, British Raj
Died	21 February 2021 (aged 92) Canada
Allegiance	Pakistan
Branch	Pakistan Army
Years of service	1947–1973
Rank	Brigadier
Unit	Infantry
Commands	Artillery Army Reserve North 6th Armoured Division
Battles / wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Battle of Turtuk 1971 Military Revolt
Awards	Sitara-e-Jurat Imtiazi Sanad Tamgha-e-Basalat
Alma mater	Government College, Lahore Pakistan Military Academy

Farrukh Bakht Ali (8 February 1929 – 21 February 2021) was senior officer of the Pakistan Army. He played vital role in the 1971 Pakistan Military Officer's Revolt, which led to the removal of Yahya Khan from power.

Early life and education

Ali was born in Delhi, British Raj to a Patiala family. His family had been serving in the Police service from decades. While his father was posted at Lahore, he was enrolled into Government College Lahore. During his student days, he was actively involved in Muslim League campaigns. He had met Khurshid Anwar, the then key political figure who initiated an armed struggle in Kashmir. Though Ali wanted to join Anwar's plan, he later decided to join the Pakistan Army following his father's advise.

Military career

Ali was commissioned in Pakistan Army in November 1948 in Artillery Regiment. During his illustrious military career, he served at various capacities, which includes 1st Mountain Regiment, 7th Field Regiment and 9th Medium Regiment. He was the commanding officer of 44th SP Field Regiment.

As a colonel, he had served as Chief of Staff of the 18th Division. Getting promoted to the rank of Brigadier, he was appointed as Deputy Commandant of Pakistan Military Academy. Later he commanded the 6th Armored Division Artillery. Before his retirement, he held the appointment of Commandant of School of Artillery.

1971 Mutiny

Further information: 1971 Pakistan Military Officer's Revolt

The surrender of Pakistani forces in eastern command coupled with losses in the 1947-48 and 1965 wars made numerous officers furious, one of them were Ali. Ali had written his resignation letter and expected Yahya and his cabinet to do so. But when he learned about the fact that Yahya was planning to establish a new constitution, it made him furious.

Reportedly, Ali arrested three generals and had taken the command of 6th Armoured Division. He sent his representatives, Aleem Afridi and Javed Iqbal who were serving as colonel. They went to meet CGS Gul Hassan. Hassan later went to meet Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, as both of them wanted Yahya's resignation.

Getting backlash for poor performance and facing a revolt of his own army, Yahya was forced to surrender, handing over the power of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Imprisonment

In 1973, Brigadier Ali was court-martialed under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government on charges of conspiring against the state. The proceedings were overseen by then Major General Zia-ul-Haq, who later, as Army Chief, ordered Ali’s release in 1978 after five years in prison, overriding his original life sentence.