What is so special about a 'name'? Does the name decide one's destiny ? Some people really believe in it, while others don't. But our Prophet, Mohammad (pubh) commands us: " Always select and give best names with good and pious meanings to your children". So has been the practice amongst the Muslims throughout the world. Following the same, the mother of the 'Shaheed', a pious lady, was advised with a good name of 'Mehboob' for her newly born son. Muhammad Mehboob Alam was born in a middle class 'Awan' family of Alam Khan, then a Prosecutive Sub-Inspector. But Muhammad Mehboob Alam did not know his 'Destiny' which God Almighty was to bestow on him after about 33 years of his birth on 10 August, 1999, in that he became the 'MEHBOOB-E-ALAM' in its true sense and meaning.

The Shaheed was born on 30 October 1966 in the village KUFRI of SOON SAKESAR Valley, Tehsil & District Khushab. He got his primary and secondary education at Police College Sihala and FG Technical High School, Chaklala respectively. He later joined Govt. College Rawalpindi. While he was in first year at the college, he was selected as Naval Cadet to join JCC (Junior Cadet College) of Pakistan Navy in 1982. After passing out from Pakistan Naval Academy as Midshipman in 1985, he got commissioned in 1986.
His father Alam Khan, now a retired Deputy Superintendent Police (Legal) from Police College Siahala, took an extra care and pain in bringing up his two daughters and three sons. All the three brothers had an excellent conduct during their respective cademic careers. Once Mehboob Alam lost his 'Entrance Slip' for the practical test during his examination. His father Alam Khan accompanied him to the Head Master so that he may be permitted for the said examination. His father was surprised and overjoyed when the Head Master, instead of being angry was pleased by the visit. The Headmaster remarked, "I wanted and wished to see you myself personally; the father of the three brothers who have been groomed with such a nice conduct and polished manners". Instead of reproaching Mehboob Alam, he thanked Alam Khan for his visit.

The Shaheed's family has a 'Marshal' background. His father Alam Khan is a retired Police official. His elder brother Muhammad Aftab Khan also a pilot, is a retired Major from the Army Aviation. His younger brother, Dr. Mumtaz Alam is medical doctor, presently incharge of Police College Siahala Hospital. His eldest uncle, Jamadar Ghulam Farid was from 8 Punjab Regiment. While fighting second World War, he gave his life in Italy. His next Uncle Mohammad Nasib from 14 Punjab Regiment is also a veteran of Second World War. His maternal grandfather, Subedar Abdul Malik served in First and Second World Wars. Nizam ud Din, a cousin of the Shaheed is a retired Major from Army.

Mehboob Alam was good in horse riding, basket ball, cricket, and hockey and had won many trophies. He was blessed with a melodious voice and was always asked to recite form Holy Quran at many naval meetings, ceremonies and other functions. He was an excellent player of table tennis and billiard. As Billiard/Mess Secretary, he organized 'Aviation officers Snooker Championship' in 1993 and went on to win it. Incidentally, this proved the first and only competition of this nature held so far, as his name stays proudly inscribe in Billiard Room of Mehran Ward Room as undisputed champion todate.

I, father-in-law of the Shaheed, did not know much about my son-in-law except that he belongs to a good and noble family with gentle manners and excellent character. As long as my daughter Dr. Sobia Irum Kermani was happy and well looked after, I was comfortable. I came to know him personally only when I, along with my wife, came to live with him to help my daughter in completing her house job as a doctor.

He was a man of principle with single minded approach. He never took part in gossips or loose talks. He never spoke about or gave details of his various flying missions. He was not of talkative nature, neither a man who boasts of his achievements. He lived humbly and talked likewise. During Kargil affair, he never looked upset or tense. Instead he used to make his colleague laugh by cutting light jokes. During these tense days, a couplet he used to recite so often that it appeared to be always on his lips:

At his stage, it seems very clear to us that Mehboob was heading towards or unconsciously was ready in accepting the great honour that lay in store for him. During my stay with him, hardly a day passed when I did not bid him "Allah Hafiz". I was normally doing recitation of Holy Quran every morning, as he used to step out for his duty. I still remember that great day and his facial expressions, as he in his flying suit standing near the entrance gallery was talking to his mother-in-law as she was asking him to come early. Then my wife and I bade him "Allah Hafiz". My daughter, his wife could not bade him nor saw him on that morning as she was on night duty for 30 hours in Sobraj Hospital. Mehboob was silent as usual but with a beautiful smile on his face that I cannot forget. At that time I wondered at the nature of his smile.Since then, hardly a day passes when I don't visualize that pure and full of life smile.

Mehboob was very bld, determined and perfect in his flying job. Just a couple of days before his martyrdom, we had a general discussion. I was telling him that during the World War II, how the British pilot used to topple over an incoming German Buzz Bomb i.e. V-1 rocket from their target by maneuvering their aircraft's tip physically.

There is no doubt that the mean and coward Indian Armed Forces void of any international code of conduct who were badly humilated at Kargil, had preplanned to trap and force land any lonely unarmed aircraft, irrespective of the fact that it may be flying in her own Pakistani territory.

This is very clear to us and I can visualize that how Muhammad Mehboob Alam, flying innocently on a training mission in his own country, suddenly finds himself all alone in a very dangerous and critical situation of being trapped by two fully armed enemy aircrafts, who were forcing him to divert and land in an enemy territory. He was to react immediately, wisely and boldly to honour Pakistan wven at the cost of own and his colleagues' lives. There was no time to do any other maneuvering, or employ flying tactics. It was a split second decision.

One enemy aircraft at his flank and other right behind him, ready to shot him instantly at any pretext, Mehboob took the only possible but very bold step. He plunged his aircraft fully towards the enemy aircraft on his flank to topple him and then descend immediately to an altitiude so low that they may not be able to fire at him. All alone in the vastness of the skies, this was the only way or alternative left for him to save the honour of his country.

But 'Lord of Worlds' was to bestow on him and his other 15 colleagues a great ' Martyrdom' of which every Muslim is envious. Timings of life and death are fixed by Almighty God and can neither be delayed nor advanced. Life is an 'Amanat' of God, when He wishes He takes it back. Indians seeing their plans of forced landing the aircraft in their territory foiled by a very courageous maneuvering by the Captain of the aircraft, got mean and without any warning fired the missile, an action void of any human and international code of conduct.

Mehboob Alam gave his life in enhancing the honour and prestige of Islam, the basic ideology of Pakistan. He refused to bow down before the coward enemy. His family and friends are very proud of him and his other 15 Shuhada colleagues.

My daughter Dr Sobia Irum bak after night duty from Sobraj Hospital, her three years old son Muhammad Sarosh Alam, myself and my wife, all were waiting for Mehboob Alam after 1530 hours, as was his usual return time from duty. But instead, at about 1645 horurs, Naval Officers and their families started coming in our fla. They told us that his airraft was mi9ssing and advised us to pray for their safe return. I understood the meaning.It was a great blow. I could not think any more but kept on reciting Kalma Tayyaba. God has taken back His Amanat, His gift.

A close friend and course mate of Mehboob paid to 'Shaheed' in the following words at his burial in picturesque and serene Soon Valley. These all encompassing remarks also summarize Shaheed's entire life:

'He lived like a hero, and lay buried like a hero'

NOTE:- These collections are compiled by Dr Sobia Irum *widow of Shaheed(, Shaheed's father Alam Khan, his father in law Riaz Ahmed Kermani and one of his coursemate in aviation.

Address:

Family of Lt Cdr Mahboob Alam Shaheed
c/o Dr. Mumtaz Alam, H. No 524, St. 72, Sector 2, Gulshan-e-Abad, Adyala
Road,Rawalpindi.
Ph. No 051-5574075