ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: Two air commodores have been promoted to the rank of air vice-marshal, a press release issued by the Pakistan Air Force Public Relations Department said here Saturday.

Air Vice-Marshal Khalid Masud Rajput and Air Vice-Marshal Saleem Tariq were commissioned in Pakistan Air Force on January 25, 1976 in engineering branch.

AVM Rajput is at present performing duties as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Aircraft Engineering) at the Air headquarters, Chaklala. He holds bachelors of engineering degree in aerospace. During his career he has commanded an engineering squadron and an engineering wing.

He has been Deputy Managing Director of Mirage Rebuild Factory and Managing Director of F-6 Rebuild Factory at PAC Kamra.

A recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), AVM Rajput has also served in China as technical attache.

AVM Tariq also holds bachelors of engineering degree in Avionics and did his Masters of Electrical Engineering degree from USA.

At present he is performing duties as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Radar Engineering) at the Air headquarters, Islamabad.

He has also qualified air war course from the Air War College. During his career he has commanded an engineering squadron and wing.

Also a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i- Imtiaz (Military), AVM Tariq has also worked as Assistant Professor at the College of Aeronautical Engineering, Risalpur and as director at Air headquarters.