ISLAMABAD, April 24: Three air commodores of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were promoted to the rank of air vice marshals, said a notification issued by the Ministry of Defence here on Thursday.

The promoted officers include Air Vice Marshal Ayaz Mahmood, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ateeb Siddiqui and Air Vice Marshal Hifazatullah Khan.

Air Vice Marshal Ayaz Mahmood was commissioned in Air Defence Branch of the PAF on October 1, 1974 while Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ateeb Siddiqui and Air Vice Marshal Hifazatullah Khan both belonged to the batch GD(P) course of October 26, 1974. Air Vice Marshal Ayaz Mahmood, a recipient of Tamgha-i-Basalat, is performing his duties as air officer commanding, air defence command.

Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ateeb Siddique is the recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Basalat and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military). He is presently working as deputy commandant air war college of PAF.

Air Vice Marshal Hifazatullah Khan is recipient of Tamgha-i- Imtiaz (Military) and is presently working as base commander, PAF base Samungli.