Monday, September 1, 2014

Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider

Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider
Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed
Nishan-e-Haider

He was born in 1914 in Hoshiarpur. He was commissioned into the 16th Punjab Regiment in 1943. In August 1958, Major Tufail Muhammad, a Company Commander in the East Pakistan Rifles, and his patrol encircled an Indian post in the Lakshmirpur area. And, though mortally wounded in the hand-to-hand encounter that followed, Major Tufail Muhammad continued to lead his troops till the Indians were driven out, leaving four dead and three prisoners. He embraced martyrdom the same day i.e, 7 August 1958.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider

Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider
Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed
Nishan-e-Haider
He was born on 25 April 1922 in Khandbaz Tehsil Nakial (Azad Jammu & Kashmir). He was enlisted in the Royal Corps of Engineers in British Indian Army on 18 March 1941. After completing his service in the British Indian Army in 1947, he came back to his native town and started establishing Haidri Force with the support of Sardar Fateh Muhammad Karailvi. On 1st Janaury 1948, Haidri Force was raised as “Sher-e-Riasti Battalion” under the command of Lt. Col. Muhammad Sher Khan. Due to his unflinching devotion and undaunted courage, on the recognition of his dedication and commitment to the cause, he was accoladed with the rank of Naik and was made platoon commander. He set personal examples of gallantry and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy at Bhudha Khanna where his platoon was given the responsibility to defend Budha Khanna where he faced never-ending frontal and crossfire from machine guns. He defended the post with chivalry, which he established with his few jawans and repulsed many aggressive ventures by the enemy and imposed colossal losses on them. The enemy used every mean to capture the post with two companies attack and heavy Arty bombardment but with unwavering determination and passion for Martyrdom bought the enemies on their knees. Despite facing all odds, he led his jawans while setting personal example of bravery and valour and remained steadfast and unmoved on the post. During the course of action, despite being hit on his chest by Arty fire, he retained his position and frustrated the Indian assault. Due to severe injuries he embraced Martyrdom on 26 October 1948. On 14th March 1949, the Defence Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir adorned him with Hilal-e-Kashmir (posthumous) and on 30th November 1995 Government of Pakistan initiated the gazette notification to declare his Hilal-e-Kashmir equilent to Nishan-e Haider.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Capt. Raja Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider

Capt. Raja Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider
Capt. Raja Muhammad Sarwar
Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider
Raja Muhammad Sarwar Khan was a captain in the newly formed Pakistani Army. He was born in Singhori village, Tehsil Gujar Khan, District of Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan as Muhammad Sarwar. He was commissioned in 1944 and assigned to the Punjab Regiment. In 1947, he volunteered to take part in the battalion organised by the Pakistani Army with the purpose of retaking the Kashmir. His regiment managed to outflank the disorganized Indian troops and forced them to retreat out of the regions which are now known as the Northern Areas in one of the battles of the First Kashmir War. During the Kashmir Operations, as Company Commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, Captain Sarwar launched an attack causing heavy casualties against a strongly fortified enemy position located in the Uri Sector. His battalion was subject to under heavy machine gun, grenade, and mortar fire. On 27 July 1948, as he moved forward with six of his men to cut their way through a barbed wire barrier, he died when he was shot in the chest with heavy machine gun fire.
In recognition for his valor, Sarwar was postmumously awarded the Nishan-E-Haider, Pakistan's highest military decoration.
In addition Sarwar Shaheed College was named after his honor.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Nishan-e-Haider Pakistan's Highest Military Award

Nishan-e-Haider is Pakistan's highest military gallantry award. " Nishan-e-Haider " literally means " Mark of the Lion " in the Urdu language. The word " Haider " is also the epithet of Hazrat Ali (R.A).
The Nishan-e-Haider can only be awarded posthumously to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces for sacrificing their life in an act of extraordinary bravery in face of the enemy. Although some consider it equivalent of the British Victoria Cross and the United States Medal of Honor, however, it has no equivalent since the Nishan-e-Haider is unique in that it can only be awarded posthumously. Its exclusivity can be gauged by the fact that, since Pakistan's independence in 1947, there have been only ten recipients.

History :-

The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the Government of Pakistan on 16 March 1957, in the year when Pakistan became a republic. However, it was applied retrospectively from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947. The Nishan-e-Haider is Pakistan's highest award and takes precedence over all military and civil awards. Of the ten Nishan-e-Haider recipients till date, nine have been from the Pakistan Army and one from the Pakistan Air Force.

Criterion :-

The Nishan-e-Haider can be awarded posthumously to all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces for sacrificing their lives in acts of extraordinary courage in face of the enemy. As a matter of practice and precedent, it has only been awarded posthumously in circumstances where it has been established that a member of the Pakistan Armed Forces acted with extraordinary bravery and courage in face of the enemy notwithstanding the realization of a high risk to his life and, consequentially, sacrificed his life in the act.
Nishan-e-Haider Pakistan's Highest Military Award
Nishan-e-Haider Pakistan's Highest Military Award

Manufacturing :-

The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by the Pakistan Mint on order of the Ministry of Defence, Government of Pakistan. It is forged from captured enemy equipment and consists of 88% copper, 10% tin and 2% zinc.

Recipients :-

Only ten Nishan-e-Haider medals have been awarded since Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947, Ten to members of the Pakistan Army and one to a member of the Pakistan Air Force. Below is the list of Nishan-e-Haider recipients.

On this blog Pak Sar Zameen , We are going to publish details of every Recipients of this Medal. We should remember our brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in line of duty to save us from enemies both, Internal and external. In Sha Allah we will remember them and keep them in our prayers.