We salute the Soldiers of Pakistan Army who faught and gave their lives for our great country, Pakistan. The Highest Military Award of Pakistan Has Been Awarded to Shaheed Soldiers Who Have Shown Bravery And Courage in Times Of War & Border Battles (1948, 1956, 1965, 1971, 1999)
Captain Karnal Sher and Hav. Lalak Jan joined those eight legendary heroes who received the highest military award of Nishan-i-Haider for laying down their lives in defence of the beloved motherland. Captain Karnal Sher Khan emerged as the symbol of mettle and courage during the Kargil conflict on the Line of Control (LoC). He set personal examples of bravery and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. He defended the five strategic posts, which he established with his jawans at the height of some 17,000 feet at Gultary, and repulsed many Indian attacks. After many abortive attempts, the enemy on July 5 ringed the post of Capt. Sher Khan with the help of two battalion and unleashed heavy mortar firing and managed to capture some part of the post. Despite facing all odds, he lead a counter-attack and re- captured the lost parts. But during the course he was hit by the machine-gun fire and embraced Shahadat at the same post. He is the first officer from the NWFP province to be awarded with Nishan-i-Haider.
**Havaldaar Lalak Jan Shaheed **
Hav. Lalak Jan of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) was one of those many who as a junior leader fought from the forefront to thwart heavy Indian attacks. He volunteered himself to be deployed on the front positions located at the jagged peak in May 1999. Hav. Lalak driven back many aggressive ventures by the enemy and imposed colossal losses on them. On July 7, Hav. Lalak sustained serious injuries as enemies pounded the area with heavy mortar shelling. But despite being injured, he retained his position and frustrated the Indian assault. He, however, succumbed to his injuries at the same post he was defending. Hav. Lalak was awarded with the Nishan-i-Haider for his dauntless courage and devotion.
Very good thread. It is nice to be able to go back and re-read the information on our martyrs and heroes and how they gave their life in the defense of Pakistan. Regardless of where you reside in the world, you always stay loyal. Granted there are ups and downs in every part of Pakistan and every country around the world, you still are Pakistani by birth which is an honor.
Read some more on the ten martyrs who were awarded Nishan-e-Haider. An interesting point I came across, all of them were between the ages of 44 (Tufail Muhammad) and 20 (Rashid Minhas). Besides Rashid Minhas, the four who were in their 20's and were martyred at a really young age were Sawar Muhammad Hussain, Naik Muhammad Mahfooz, Shabbir Sharif and Sher Khan. This is the bravery that sets an example for generations to follow.
