Identity: Renowned Historical Novelist, War Correspondent, and Founding Editor of the Monthly Magazine Hikayat

Inayatullah Altmash was born on 1 November 1920 in Gujjar Khan, Pothohar, Punjab. He was a distinguished Pakistani writer, journalist, editor, short story writer, war correspondent, and historical novelist who earned a unique place in Urdu literature through his historical, war, and social writings.

He received his early education in Gujjar Khan and joined the army after matriculating in 1936. During the Second World War, he served on the Burma front, was taken prisoner by Japanese forces, later escaped, and spent a long period wandering through jungles and coastal regions. He subsequently took part in the Malayan War of Independence. After the creation of Pakistan, he returned home and joined the Pakistan Air Force.

After retiring from military service, he turned to journalism and literature. He initially worked with Sayara Digest and later became its editor. Following disagreements there, he founded the monthly magazine Hikayat, which went on to become one of the most popular literary and public-interest magazines in Urdu.

Inayatullah gained his greatest fame through his eyewitness and analytical writings on the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. As a war correspondent, he visited battlefields and documented the stories of soldiers and officers. His war books BRB Behti Rahe Gi, Lahore Ki Dehleez Par, and Badr Se Batapur Tak are regarded among the most popular works on the subject.

He also achieved remarkable success as a historical novelist. His novels are marked by history, adventure, patriotic spirit, and national consciousness.

Inayatullah wrote under numerous pen names, all representing the work of a single prolific mind: Altmash, Waqas, Ahmad Yar Khan (for detective fiction), Sabir Hussain Rajput (for hunting stories), and Meem Alif (for psychology).

He authored nearly 100 books. Among his most famous works are Dastan Iman Faroshon Ki (set in the era of Sultan Salahuddin ayyubi during the Crusades), Shamsheer-e-Bey-Niyam (based on the life of Khalid bin Valid), Aur Neel Behta Raha (historical novel), and Hijaz Ki Aandhi (historical novel), all of which were highly popular in their time.

Death: He passed away on 16 November 1999.