He was born in an Ahmadiyyah family in a small village called Pindori which is about 65 kilometres (40 mi) away from Rawalpindi.

[1] During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik was commander of the 24th infantry brigade in the Sialkot-Phillurah-Chamb sector.

At the start of the war, his brigade was ordered by the senior 15 division to defend the imaginary Indian attack at Jasser bridge.

Now promoted Major General Abdul Ali Malik commanded the 8th Infantry Division in the western sector of 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

His troops were stationed in the Sialkot sector, and apart from some skirmishes, a major all-out war didn't happen .