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{{EngvarB|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Lt.Col. Mahmood Khan Durrani G.C.
| birth_date = 1 July 1914
| death_date = 20 August 1995 (aged 81)
| birth_place = [[Multan]], [[British India]]
| death_place = [[Multan]], [[Pakistan]]
| image = 
| caption =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{UK}}<br>{{PAK}}
| branch = [[File:Flag of Bahawalpur.svg|23px]] Bahawalpur State Forces<br>{{Army|Pakistan}}
| serviceyears = 1932–1971
| rank = [[Lieutenant colonel]]
| current position =
| commands = 1st Bahawalpur Infantry 1946-1947
| unit = 1st Bahawalpur Infantry,16th Baloch Reg.Now
| battles = [[Malayan Campaign]], [[World War II]]
| awards = [[George Cross]]
Tamgha-e-Shujat (Highest Galantry Award of the State of Bahawalpur)
1939-1945 Pacific Star and War Medal.
Queen Silver Jubilee Medal,
Mention in dispatches 1939-45
| spouse = Shahzadi Naheed Durrani Daughter of Shahzada Behram Sultan of Ludhiana
| laterwork = Author of The Sixth Column,Becons of life.Writer and Poet,Many articles Published In Pakistan Times.
}}

[[Lieutenant Colonel]] '''Mahmood Khan Durrani''', [[George Cross|GC]] (1914–1995) was a South Asian recipient of the [[George Cross]], awarded for ''acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger''. He was a 26-year-old captain serving in the 1st Bahawalpur Infantry, [[British Indian Army]] (now 8th Battalion The [[Baloch Regiment]] of [[Pakistan Army]]) in [[Malayan Campaign|Malaya]] during [[World War II]], when he was awarded the medal for heroism while a Prisoner of War of the [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese Army]].

Mahmood Khan Durrani belonged to the [[Durrani|Saddozia Tribe ,Old Royal Durrani Family of Afghanistan.]]He was born on 1 July 1914 in [[Multan]] in the Western [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]]. After completing his schooling, he joined the Army of [[Bahawalpur State]]. When the Second World War broke out, he accompanied his battalion, which was dispatched to North [[British Malaya|Malaya]] in March 1941, in anticipation of the looming war with [[Japan]].<ref name="Obituary 12th September 1995">Obituary. (12 September 1995

mahmood khan
). ''The Daily Telegraph''.</ref>

== Details ==
During the British retreat in Malaya following the Japanese invasion in December 1941, Captain Mahmood Khan Durrani and a small party of soldiers managed to evade capture for three months before their location was betrayed to the Japanese sponsored [[Indian National Army]] (INA). He refused to co-operate with the [[Indian National Army|INA]] and actively worked to thwart their political and military aims, for which he was subjected to severe torture and mistreatment, which left his health permanently affected.<ref name="Obituary 12th September 1995"/><ref name="Ahmed 2000">Ahmed, Maj Gen Rafiuddin. (2000). ''History of the Baloch Regiment 1939-1956''. Abbottabad: The Baloch Regimental Centre. pp. 268-69. {{ISBN|1-84574-094-7}}</ref>

=== Citation ===

"The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS, in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to:-

:Captain MAHMOOD KHAN DURRANI, 1st Bahawalpur Infantry, Indian States Forces.<ref>''The London Gazette'', 23 May 1946.</ref>

=== Account of Deed ===

:"For outstanding courage, loyalty and fortitude whilst a prisoner-of-war.

:With a small party he was cut off during the withdrawal in Malaya. They succeeded in remaining free in hiding for three months until betrayal, when they were arrested and confined. Refusing to join the I.N.A this officer devoted himself to rendering valuable service. He then conceived and put into execution, a plan for thwarting the Japanese plans for infiltrating agents into India. After many delays and set backs due to falling under suspicion he ultimately achieved much of his objective. Presumably as a result of the suspicion that he had been responsible for the failure of their plans, he was arrested by the Japanese. For ten days he was subjected to third degree methods including starvation, deprivation of sleep and physical torture such as the application of burning cigarettes to his legs. Subsequently he was given a mock trial and condemned to death but the execution was postponed in order that information should be extracted. He was then tortured by various particularly brutal methods continuously for several days. The exact time is uncertain as there were periods of unconsciousness, but it was certainly lasted for some days. No information whatever was obtained from him. Thereafter he was kept in solitary confinement for several months, with occasional interrogations and was given little medical treatment and just enough food to sustain life.
:When finally liberated he was found to be permanently affected in health and still bears the marks of physical torture. He will never be the same again. Throughout he was fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions and, when discovered, he preferred to undergo protracted and cruel torture rather than confess his plans and save himself, because he still hoped that he might achieve his purpose. To confess would have endangered others' lives and might have influenced the enemy to change their plans.

:His outstanding example of deliberate cold-blooded bravery is most fully deserving of the highest award."<ref>''GC Presentation booklet, 11 March 1947.''</ref>

Captain Durrani was presented with his George Cross by [[Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell|Field Marshal Lord Wavell]] in 1946 at a special investiture ceremony held at the [[Red Fort]], [[Delhi]].<ref name="Obituary 12th September 1995"/><ref name="Ahmed 2000"/>

After his repatriation, Durrani resumed his military career and on [[partition of India]] in 1947, he opted for [[Pakistan]]. He continued to serve in the Pakistan Army, retiring in 1971 as a lieutenant colonel.<ref name="Ahmed 2000"/>

A poet and noted writer, he died on 20 August 1995, aged 81 years old. His autobiography, ''The Sixth Column,'' was published in the UK in 1955.<ref name="Obituary 12th September 1995"/>

The only George Cross recipient to have survived Japanese captivity, Durrani was one of the first George Cross Committee members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. His George Cross is on display in the [[Imperial War Museum]]'s Victoria & George Cross Gallery.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/durrani.htm |title=Captain M K Durrani |access-date=12 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016220224/http://stephen-stratford.co.uk/durrani.htm |archive-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durrani, Mahmood Khan}}
[[Category:Indian recipients of the George Cross]]
[[Category:Baloch Regiment officers]]
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1995 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:People from Multan]]

Mahmood Khan Durrani - Revision history

Bot at 15:05, 8 November 2022