Continuing its visits to our veterans and senior members, the Navy League (comprising Commodore Najmi, President NL, Vice Admiral Irfan Ahmed, Rear Admiral S. A. Baqar, Captain Farooq Dawood, and Commodore Rashid Ullah) visited Vice Admiral A. U. Khan at his residence on Friday, 20th September.
Vice Admiral Khan is known and recognized for his hard work, commitment, and love for the Navy. He began his naval career in the surface fleet and later joined the Submarine Service, serving on the Ghazi with the pioneer crew. He commanded a Daphne-class submarine and commissioned PNS HASHMAT, an Agosta-class submarine in France. He then rose to the position of COMSUBS. Continuing his naval career, he served in the surface fleet as COMDESRON and also commanded the PN Fleet as COMPAK. His staff duties included serving as Director S/M and DCNS(O). He was also the head of the mission for the acceptance and transfer of the Brooke and Garcia ships from the USA in the late eighties. Additionally, he served as Chairman PNSC and the Sindh Public Service Commission. Vice Admiral Khan was very pleased to receive the Navy League team. Soon, everyone became engrossed in reminiscing about their years in the Navy, sharing experiences. As the Executive Officer, Vice Admiral Khan vividly remembered HANGOR’s torpedoing of INS KUKRI and walked us through those moments; we all felt as if we were present there. He was awarded the "Sitara-e-Jurrat" for his valiant performance.
The session continued with all the memories, including anecdotes and swapping sea tales. Commodore Najmi requested Vice Admiral Khan to participate in the Navy League’s social activities, where he would be able to meet different generations of naval officers and where they could benefit from interacting with him.
After spending about an hour, we departed. The Navy League offered any support or information that Vice Admiral Khan might require and informed him that the NL will stay in touch with him.
It was a very interesting and enjoyable meeting. Our host treated us to a lovely “High Tea” and was insistent on us consuming more. He expressed his delight and gratitude for the visit; it also provided him the opportunity to be totally engulfed in a naval environment, as it was many years ago.
The Navy League wishes Vice Admiral A. U. Khan good health, happiness, and hopes he continues to keep the naval flag flying.
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