Khalid Khawaja

Squadron Leader Khalid Khawaja (1951–2010) was an Air Force officer, and the Air Force's intelligence officer of the Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence agency. A former member of Special Service Wing (SSW) and a veteran of Soviet war in Afghanistan, Khawaja described himself as a close associate of Osama bin Laden in the early days of the Afghan resistance against the Soviet Union. He was once suspected of being involved in the murder of American reporter Daniel Pearl. This was later proved to be false, but he did connect Pearl with men who would eventually kill him.

Military career

Khawaja gained commission in Pakistan Air Force in January 1971. He completed his aviation training to became an aviator of Alouette III, and was selected to sent to PAF Special Warfare School. After his graduation in JUNE 1973, Khawaja as flying officer, was selected and joined the 312th Special Service Wing as a flight specialist. A former member of Special Service Wing, Squadron Leader Khawaja actviely participated in Soviet war in Afghanistan along with elite Black Storks, also known as Special Service Group. In 1985, Squadron Leader Khawaja pursued his career to became an intelligence officer. After passing the selection exam, Khawaja joined ISI where he actively participated in Soviet war in Afghanistan. In 1987, former President and Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq dismissed him from his position for his "outspoken views", a subsequent forced-retirement given by the Pakistan's Judge Advocate General Branch in 1987.