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Asif Sandila

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Admiral
Asif Sandila
NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) LoM OM BJSN BYD
Adm. Asif boarded on George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier, in 2013.
Chief of Naval Staff
In office
3 October 2011 – 3 October 2014
Preceded byAdm. Noman Bashir
Succeeded byAdm. Muhammad Zakaullah
Personal details
Born
Mohammad Asif Sandila

1954 (age 69–70)
Sangla Hill in Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan
Citizenship Pakistan
Military service
Allegiance Pakistan
Branch/service Pakistan Navy
Years of service1972–2014
Rank Admiral
(PN No. 1795): 331 [1]
UnitNaval Operations Branch
CommandsVice Chief of Naval Staff
DCNS (Operations) at the Navy NHQ
DCNS (Projects) at the Navy NHQ
Commander Pakistan Fleet
Commander Logistics
DG Pakistan Maritime Security Agency
Pakistan Naval Observatory
OTC of 25th Destroyer Squadron
Battles/warsIndian Ocean earthquake in 2004
Indo-Pakistani standoff in 2008
AwardsNishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military)
National Order of Merit
Order of King Abdulaziz
Turkish Legion of Merit
Nishan Sharafge
Legion of Merit
Bintang Jalasena Utama
Yudha Dharma Utama

Mohammad Asif Sandila NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) LoM OM BJSN BYD (Urdu: محمد ﺁصف سندیلہ; born: 1954, NI(M), HI(M), LoH, LoM), is a retired four-star admiral in the Pakistan Navy who was the 14th Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy.[2] Prior to this command appointment, Sandila briefly tenured as the Vice Chief Naval Staff in the Pakistan Navy which he assumed in 2010.[3][4]

In 2011, President Asif Ali Zardari, on the request of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, promoted Sandila to four-star admiral and appointed him as the Chief of the Naval Staff on 7 October 2011 upon retirement of the then Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir.[5]

Biography

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Early life and education

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Asif Sandila was born into a Punjabi Jat family in a village at the Sangla Hill located in Sheikhupura District, Punjab in Pakistan in 1954.[6][7][8]

After his matriculation from a local high school in 1967, Sandila went to attend Cadet College Kohat where he secured his FSc, and went to join the Pakistan Navy in 1972.[9] He was selected to attend the Pakistan Naval Academy, initially focusing on mathematics, and was directed to attend the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in the United Kingdom in 1974.[8][10] In England, he was trained in navigation and qualified as a surface warfare officer in 1975.[8]

Upon returning to Pakistan in 1975, he was gained commissioned as S-Lt. in the Naval Operations Branch, and was trained in anti-submarine operations on PNS Jehangir in 1976–77.[8][6] S-Lt. Sandila was further trained in torpedo operations and navigation at the PNS Badr in 1977–79.[8] He served on various surface warships as principle warfare officers throughout his career in the Navy.[6]

He later attended, and is a graduate of the Naval War College in Lahore, and attended the staff course in Indonesian Navy's Naval Staff College.[11] He later went to attend the National Defence University where he graduated with MSc in War studies.[11]

Career in the military

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War and command appointments in the Pakistan Navy

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After joining the Pakistan Navy as Midshipman in 1972, he served on the PNS Jahangir and PNS Badr as navigation and torpedo officer from 1977 until 1980.[6] In 1985–88, Lt-Cdr. Sandila was affiliated with the Institute of Strategic Studies of the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, where he instruct courses on Strategic studies.: 102 [12] He was later posted at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi where he instruct courses on military navigation.[8]

In 1988–91, Cdr. Sandila was taken to be serve as aide-de-camp to Adm. Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey, the Chairman joint chiefs.[13] In 1990s, Capt. Sandila later commanded Badr, a guided-missile destroyer, and did a tour of duty when he visited Middle East and the Europe.[8]

In 2003–04, Cdre. Sandila took over the command of the 25th Destroyer Squadron as its officer in tactical command, and was leading the task force for overseeing the rescue operations from Maldives, where he was credited of rescuing more than 370 European tourists affected by the deadly underwater earthquake and tsunami in Indian Ocean in 2004.[14]

In 2005, Cdre. Sandila commanded the mission through the Moawin and Tippu Sultan visiting on a bilateral missions in Mediterranean countries (Tunisia), Europe (France and the Britain), and later ending his voyage in United States (New York).[15] In April 2005, Cdre. Sandila took participation in Mine hunter exercises with the French Navy, Royal Navy, and the U.S. Navy before reporting back to Pakistan.[16]

In 2005, Cdre. Sandila was eventually promoted to two-star rank in the Navy, first serving as the Director-General of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) until 2007, during which, he also served as the command of the Naval Observatory located in Jinnah Naval Base.[17]

In 2007, R-Adm. Sandila was posted in the Navy NHQ in Islamabad as DCNS (Projects) and later as DCNS (Operations), for a brief time until being posted as senior fleet commander as Commander Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK) in 2008.[8] During this time, R-Adm. Sandila was involved in operational deployment of navy's combatant commands at the Arabian Sea to deter any Indian Navy's attack on Pakistan, resulting during the military standoff in 2008.[8] In 2009, R-Adm. Sandila was later posted in Navy NHQ in Islamabad as DCNS (Operations), for a brief time.[8]

In 2009, R-Adm. Sandila was posted as Commander Logistics (COMLOG), where he was responsible for Navy's military logistics and engineering.[18]

Chief of Naval Staff

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On 1 January 2010, R-Adm. Sandila was promoted to the three-star rank in the Navy while serving on the command assignment.[19] In 2011, Vice-Admiral Sandila was later appointed as Vice-Chief of Naval Staff (VNCS) under Adm. Noman Bashir.[3][20]

At the time of the promotion to the four-star appointment in 2011, V-Adm. Sandila was in a race along with four senior admirals in the Navy, though V-Adm. Sandila was the most senior among all:

On 6 October 2011, Farahnaz Ispahani, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed that the President Zardari has approved the promotion paper and promoted V-Adm. Sandila as four-star admiral in the Navy, taking the command of the Navy from Adm. Numan as its Chief of Naval Staff on 8 October 2011.[22][20] His 4 star promotion became headline news in the country with much media speculation on the nature of his assignment.[20][23] The change of command ceremony was held at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad.[24] Admiral Sandila received the guard of honor prior to the assuming the navy's command.[24] Under his command, the Navy focused towards the seaborne operations involved with the CTF-150 and the CTF-151.[25]

In 2014, the Government of Pakistan confirmed his retirement from the 42-year military service, and after retiring from the Navy after, Adm. Sandila went to established the Moawin Foundation, an organization focused toward promoting the literacy and building schools all over the country.[26]

Upon his retirement, he handed over the command of the Navy to Admiral Muhammed Zakaullah.[27]

Awards and decorations

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Pakistan Navy Operations Branch Badge
Command at Sea insignia
Nishan-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Order of Excellence)

Hilal-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Star of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Baqa

(Nuclear Test Medal)

1998

Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan

(Escalation with India Medal)

2002

10 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal 30 Years Service Medal 35 Years Service Medal 40 Years Service Medal
Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-

Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam

(100th Birth Anniversary of

Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

1976

Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

Jamhuriat Tamgha

(Democracy Medal)

1988

Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha

(Resolution Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1990

Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan

(Independence Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1997

National Order of Merit

(Knight)

(France)

Order of King Abdul Aziz

(1st Class)

(Saudi Arabia)

2017

Turkish Legion of Merit

(Turkey)

Nishaan Muleege

Sharafge Izzaiy[28][29]

(Maldives)

2013

The Legion of Merit

(Degree of Commander)

(USA)

Bintang Jalasena Utama

(Indonesia)[30][31][32]

2014

Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama

(Indonesia)[30]

2014

Foreign Decorations

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Foreign Awards
 France National Order of Merit - Knight (Chevalier)
 Saudi Arabia Order of King Abdul Aziz (1st Class)
 Turkey Turkish Legion of Merit
 Maldives Nishaan Muleege Sharafge Izzaiy[28][29]
 USA The Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander)
 Indonesia Bintang Jalasena Utama[30][31][32]
 Indonesia Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pakistan (1978). The Gazette of Pakistan. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Admiral Asif Sandila assumes command of Pakistan Navy". 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Islamabad Desk (12 August 2010). "Sandila made Chief of Staff". The Nation. Nawa-i-Waqt Group. p. 1. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  4. ^ News Headlines (2 August 2010). "Rear-Admiral Asif Sandila Promoted to Vice Admiral". Aaj TV. Business Recorder Group. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  5. ^ Islamabad News Desk Report (5 October 2011). "New Naval Chief Calls on President". Dawn Newspapers. Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory: Dawn Media Group. p. 1. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d Islamabad Desk (9 October 2011). "Admiral Sandila takes charge as new naval chief". Online News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Admiral Sandila appointed naval chief". News International. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Butt, Omar Khalid (7 March 2018). "Sky is the Limit: Interview of Admiral M. Asif Sandila (Retd), Former Chief of the Naval Staff" (youtube.tv). Islamabad: Pakistan Television News. Pakistan Television News. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Rear Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila SI(M) promoted to rank of Vice Admiral. - Free Online Library". thefreelibrary.com. free library. free library. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  10. ^ Shaheen, Sikander (6 October 2011). "Asif Sandila appointed new Naval Chief". The Nation. The Nation, 2011. The Nation. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Sandila made COS". The Nation. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  12. ^ Strategic Studies. Institute of Strategic Studies. 1985. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Admiral Sandila takes charge as new naval chief. - Free Online Library". thefreelibrary.com. free library. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  14. ^ Staff writer (29 December 2004). "Navy assisting in tsunami relief". IRIN. IRIN. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Two Pakistan Navy ships visit Tunisian port". business recorder. Business Recorder. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Naval exercise with France planned". Dawn.com. Dawn Newspapers. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  17. ^ PMSA, staff. "Former DGs of the MSA". pmsa.gov.pk. Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Navy officers promoted". News International. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  19. ^ "PN officers promoted". The Nation. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  20. ^ a b c Pakistan Observer. (5 October 2011). "Admiral Asif Sandila to be CNS". pakobserver.net. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012.
  21. ^ a b c "Asif Sandila made Naval Chief". Business Recorder. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  22. ^ "Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila has been appointed as Chief of Naval staff". southpunjabnews.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Asif Sandila confirmed as Navy chief". 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  24. ^ a b GEO TV: Nation News (5 October 2011). "Admiral Sandila takes charge as new naval chief". GEO TV. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  25. ^ Imadduin, Imad (23 January 2014). "Pak Navy fully capable to defend Maritime Frontiers: Asif Sandila – Business Recorder". business recorder. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Mission and Objectives". moawinfoundation.org.pk. Retrieved 8 August 2018.[dead link‍]
  27. ^ Staff Report (2011). "Admiral Asif Sandila sworn in as Chief of Naval Staff". Daily Times. Rawalpindi, The Naval Combatant Headquarter (NHQ). p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  28. ^ a b Imaduddin (10 October 2013). "Maldives President confers top award on Chief of Naval Staff Admiral". Brecorder. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Speech by Excellency Dr Mohamed Waheed at the function to confer Conferring Nishaan Muleege Sharafge Izzaiy (the Order of Distinguished Rule of Muleege) on Admiral Mohamed Asif Sandila, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan". The President's Office. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d Imaduddin (1 October 2014). "Admiral Sandila conferred with highest Indonesian Military Awards". Brecorder. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Admiral Sandila awarded Navy Star (Indonesian)". 3 October 2014.
  32. ^ a b "Indonesia confers highest military awards on Sandila". Brecorder. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Asif Sandila.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Naval Staff
7 October 2011 – 1 October 2014 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
10 August 2010 – 6 October 2011 		Succeeded by
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