Former IAF chief Idris Hasan Latif passes away- End of a golden era

HYDERABAD: Air Chief Marshal Idris Hasan Latif, who passed away on Monday, was perhaps the only Air Force officer associated with three different air forces and participated in several battles including the World War II. He was associated with the Royal Indian Air Force, Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force. He also trained pilots of the Indonesian Air Force. Latif is the only Muslim to have served as the head of any of the three wings of the Indian armed forces.

Latif, 94, was a thorough gentleman and associated with a number of philanthropist activities. His wife Bilkis Latif, who passed away last year, was honoured with Padma Shri for her social service activities particularly for the uplift of children. She also penned the biography of Latif.

Latif has been ailing for quite some time. His death brings to end a glorious era of the air force history of pre- and post-Independent India.

P Anuradha Reddy, city historian and authority on Indian aviation, described Latif as a great human being. "He was a patriot to the core. He has rare qualities. Latif preferred to stay with the Indian Air Force during partition," she said.

Latif was born on June 9, 1923 in Hyderabad. He was commissioned into air force on January 26, 1942 and retired from service as the chief of air staff on August 31, 1981. He became flight lieutenant on August 15, 1948 and squadron leader on August 15, 1949. He was promoted to wing commander on October 1, 1954, acting group captain on June 10, 1959, group captain on October 1, 1962, acting air commodore on January 15, 1964, air commodore on April 1, 1967, air marshal and commander-in-chief on June 27, 1974, and air chief marshal on September 1, 1978.

A product of Nizam's College in Hyderabad, Latif succeeded to the top post in the Indian Air Force on the retirement of Air Chief Marshal H Moolgavkar. Latif's father Hasan was the chief engineer in the Nizam's Hyderabad state.

He had the honour of serving both the Royal Indian Air Force prior to the Independence and the Indian Air Force after India became free. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is incidentally celebrating its 100th year of formation. He participated in the World War II, and Indo-Pak and Indo-China wars. He also participated in the Burma campaign. He flew in India's first Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 1950. He trained pilots in the Indonesian Air Force. He also worked as air attaché to the Indian ambassador in the USA and Indian high commissioner in Canada in 1961.

Latif was just 19 when he was commissioned into the air force in 1942. He joined the air force at 18 in 1941. He underwent training at Ambala. His first posting was No 2 Coastal Defence Flight in Karachi. He had the rare honour of being associated with the Royal Air Force. In the UK he was trained on Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft during 1942-44.

During the Burma campaign Latif worked with squadron leader Asgar Khan and flight lieutenant Noor Khan. Incidentally, all the three went on to become the heads of the air force - Latif serving as the chief of Indian Air Force and Asgar and Noor serving as the chiefs of Pakistan Air Force. After partition of the country, Latif chose to remain with the Indian Air Force. He is the only Muslim to head any of the three armed forces in India.

Latif took over as station commander in 1966 at Lohegaon Airbase in Pune. He was instrumental in modernising the Indian Air Force. In 1971 Latif received Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM). His role in providing relief to the flood hit people of Patna in 1975 is commendable.

He was instrumental in the procurement of Jaguar strike aircraft, MiG-23 and MiG-25 aircraft.

After retiring from the IAF, Latif was appointed as the governor of Maharashtra. He also served as the Indian ambassador to France.