Muhammed Zia-ul-Haq was born in 1924 to a poor family in Jalandhar. In 1938 he joined the Indian Army by lying about his age. In 1940 he deserted the Indian Army and joined the Muslim Free League guerrillas in the northern mountains, he participated in terrorist activities for the next 7 years. In 1947 the MFL was reformed into the Pakistani army and Zia was given the rank of sergeant. He fought in the War of Independence and in 1950 was given a commission as a 2nd Lt. Due to the rapid expansion of the Pakistani Army throughout the early 1950's Zia was promoted rapidly becoming a Capt. (1952) and Major (1955). He served at minor border guard postings throughout this time until 1958 when he was promoted to Lt Colonel and sent to Islamabad as adjutant to the Chief of Staff, General Musa Khan