Kashif Abdullah

Major General Kashif Abdullah SBt
Born	Pakistan
Allegiance	Pakistan
Branch	Pakistan Army
Service years	1994 — present
Rank	Major General
Unit	31 Punjab Regiment
Commands	GOC 41st Infantry Division Director General Military Operations
Conflicts	2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes MONUSCO
Awards	Sitara-e-Basalat
Alma mater	Pakistan Military Academy

Kashif Abdullah is a serving two-star general in the Pakistan Army, who is currently serving as the Director General of Military Operations (DG MO) at GHQ, Rawalpindi. ^[1]

Military career

Abdullah was commissioned in the 31 Punjab Regiment through the 89th PMA Long Course in 1994. As a brigadier, he served as sector commander of a sector under the Frontier Corps Balochistan (South), and also as a sector commander at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo. He was promoted to the rank of Major General from Brigadier in 2022. ^[2]

Abdullah served as GOC of the 41st Infantry Division, assigned at Quetta. ^[3] He is currently serving as Director General of Director General of Military Operations (DG MO) at General Staff Branch, General Headquarters, Rawalpindi. As DGMO, he led delegation of Pakistan Army to Bahrain. ^{[4] [ failed verification ]} He also led the meeting of Pakistani delegation in Azerbaijan to have a conversation with Deputy Commander of the Azerbaijani Land Forces. ^[5]

Role in 2025 India - Pakistan border skirmishes ceasefire

During the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, Major General Kashif Abdullah served as the Director General Military Operations (DGMO), where he was a central figure in Pakistan's operational strategy and response. Following the initial strikes on the first day of the conflict, the Indian Army requested a hotline discussion. However, the communication was established after Pakistan had executed its military response. ^[6]

On May 10, 2025, Abdullah engaged with his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, via the military hotline to discuss the de-escalation of hostilities. During the call, both sides agreed to halt further aggressions, effectively concluding the active skirmishes.

For his "distinguished leadership and strategic role" during the operational response, and the subsequent management of the border crisis, the President of Pakistan conferred the Sitara-e-Basalat upon Abdullah on August 14, 2025. ^[7]

References

1. "India, Pak To Work Towards Reducing Alertness Levels: Sources". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
2. Desk News, Tribune (2022-07-26). "32 brigadiers promoted to the rank of major-general". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
3. "GOC 41 Division Major General Kashif Abdullah, CPO Quetta laying wreath of flowers on graveyard of martyrs on the occasion of celebrating Defence Day". 2022-09-06. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
4. "Bahrain News Agency". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
5. Rnewsauthor (2025-01-25). "Azerbaijan, Pakistan To Collaborate Closely for Defense Hardware Production and To Secure Energy Sector - RESONANT NEWS". RESONANT NEWS - Resonates with Truth. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
6. “The Hotline That Prevented War: India-Pakistan Crisis Management Through Military Diplomacy,” CSDR Online, June 9, 2025, https://csdronline.com/blind-spot/the-hotline-that-prevented-war-india-pakistan-crisis-management-through-military-diplomacy/
7. "President confers military awards on officers, soldiers for operation 'Bunyan-un-Marsoos'". The Nation. 2025-08-14. Retrieved 2025-11-13.