30th April - Youm-e-Shuhada (Day of Martyrs - Pakistan Army) 2010

[Mujahid]

 

[SQ8]

Terror alert high for today in Islamabad.

 

[courageneverdies]

Captain Naveed Ahmed Shaheed​

Today when our forces and nation are remembering the brave and courageous souls which departed for us, I am also reminded of someone, most important to me and to my family.

Of many Shaheeds whom I know, Captain Naveed Ahmed Shaheed is one whom I have personally met and have spent a lot of time with. Born in Mansehra and grew up in Islamabad, the son of a Government Employee, Captain Naveed Ahmed Shaheed was not as bright a student as a soldier. To defend the country as a soldier and give his life for this cause was his basic and primary objective, passion and belief.

I live in Government accommodations (Apartments) in the heart of Islamabad. The distance between Captain Naveed’s House and mine was not more than 5 feet. We were like a family, as many, who live in flat-system, can understand. He did his F.A. and applied for Pakistan Army but got rejected because of Knocking Knees. His passion didn’t allow it to surrender; a passion remained with him till the very last. He tried and recovered his cause of rejection.

Before discussing about his army life, let me tell you about his personality, a thing unknown to many. He was a very fine young man. His youth was spotless, none could see him standing in streets,w asting him time. The only times he left his home was either for his studies, prayers or for some important tasks. No one had ever heard any abusive language from him. In short, his character was an icon of standard and perfection. Our parents, usually, spoofed us to learn something from him. We all, all the whole neighborhood knew him as “Bobby Bhai”.

He was a very fine footballer and was motivated by my father; who was the Secretary District Football Association, Islamabad, as Naveed’s father didn’t allow him to leave the city for playing. But my father managed to convince uncle, Naveed’s father, to allow his footballing. He whenever met me stated that thanks to my father he played football and became so physically tough that he could resist the hardships of training in Army. He, before leaving for army, captained and played for Rover FC, a football club placed in Islamabad and was his captain. I also have the honor to play under his captaincy and found him extremely able leader.

Later, Naveed’s family left to their own home as his father retired from Government service.

Now coming back to his army career, he was placed in NLI as 2nd Lieutenant. Remained there and enlisted his name for SSG training but couldn’t go through it. But to remain static was not something belonging to Naveed. He applied for Army Aviation and got the place there as a Chopper Pilot. In Army Aviation, he remained till his martyrdom.

He was married as well. He also had a daughter, Manal, who was not even of two months when he got martyred.




February 6, 2008, Wana. An army helicopter crashed around Wana on 6th February 2008 and Captain Naveed embraced martyrdom while on duty and actively fighting the war against terrorists. On board was also the GC Kohat, Maj. General Javed Sultan, who also martyred. That day was a day which we have never imagined of. The worst day of our lives, of my whole family which was crying in tears and we at once left to their home, nearly 4 km away from ours. It was true; Naveed was no more among us but was ascended to higher above, far from us.

Two days, long as years, we spent in eyes waiting for his body to arrive. On 8th they came with the body.

“Can we see his face for the last time?” asked Naveed’s father to one of Army officers.

“Sir, you may, but it would be better if you keep the smiling face of Naveed in your mind forever.” Replied the officer.

We didn’t see him for the last time. In a very decent ceremony, he was laid to rest in Islamabad’s new graveyard, very near to the parents to visit him everyday.

We will never forget you Bobby bhai, your tale is with us and will be told to thousand generations to come. I salute you, my family and all nation.

Following is the ISSB Material of September 6, 2009 ceremony, in which Captain Naveed Shaheed’s wife, Mrs. Wajiha Naveed was invited and she told her heart-tearing feelings in the following words:

Never Say Goodbye…​

Lt Col Tahir Mehmood​

Here we meet another symbol of love, sacrifice and national pride. She is Mrs. Wajeeha Naveed Shaheed who talks passionately about Captain Naveed Shaheed while holding tightly and caressing her one and half year only daughter, Nawal Naveed. She does not let off Nawal out of sight for a moment because this is the most precious gift of Captain Naveed Shaheed. Captain Naveed’s helicopter crashed around Wana on 6th February 2008 and he embraced Shahadat while on duty and actively fighting the war against terrorists. Captain Naveed got commission in Pakistan Army in 2001 and later joined Army Aviation and became helicopter pilot in 2005. Their short lived marriage took place on 17th March 2007. “Though we spent very less time together i.e., only ten and half months, but I have an unending treasure of loving memories of the Shaheed. We were more like friends and always enjoyed moments spent together. He was always considerate, mild and caring in his attitude.

Naveed had such a humble, accommodating and respectful persona that I sometime commented that he more represents a man of good old times than a present day man of materialistic moorings. He would just smile on follies or remained quiet but never chide any one. Forgiveness was his virtue and symbol. He often mentioned that one should never hurt others as life is short and uncertain. The world should be taken as a temporary abode and one should prepare oneself for the life hereafter. Naveed was very regular in offering prayers and fond of Shahadat. This was his ardent desire. Whenever he would mention of his desire, I would tell him that life without him would be very difficult for me. But he prepared me for this. He made me participate in all his activities. He taught me even map marking for his flight missions or preparation of power point slides for his assignments. He was not only my husband but my mentor, my tutor and my Hero”, shares proud Wajeeha with restrained emotions, hold out tears and unheard sobbing. Soldiers and their families pay a grand price for their Motherland.

“We spent only 150 days together out of ten and half months marriage as being pilot he was often away on different flying missions. Naveed was a complete family man. During our stay at Quetta, we often went to Hana Lake and other scenic places. ‘Biryani’ was his favourite dish and we used to prepare it in such quantity that people often thought that we were making arrangements for guests. He had a strange habit of many times tasting the food while it was being prepared. In the process, he would consume half of his meal. He would often cut the vegetables in an unnoticed manner and than would come to me with a smile on his lips and tell me that food was ready for cooking. While I was preparing it, he would SMS me few couplets from his favourite poetry. Late Parveen Shakir was his favourite poetess” recalls Wajeeha.

“Nawal was only 28 days old once Naveed embraced Shahadat. She was borne on 8th January 2009. He was absolutely joyful on her birth. He offered thanksgiving ‘Nawafal’ on her birth and then uttered ‘Azan’ in her ears himself. He used to love her a lot. He wanted to make her a ‘Hafiz-e-Quran’ and then a football player. He was a proud father. Nawal was six months old once she started uttering the word ‘Papa’. Now whenever some visitor comes to our house, she brings Naveed’s picture to him and says, “My papa”. She has also learnt to salute her Papa’s picture. When some helicopter fly over our home, I tell her that her Papa would come to her one day flying a Helicopter. She is only one and half year old; does not understand much but just gets quiet and waits with a hope in her eyes whenever she hears the sound of a helicopter. Nawal resembles Naveed too much. I know Nawal would miss her Papa too much once she would start going to school. She would look for her Papa to carry her on his shoulders and buy her gifts on her birthday or on her achievements. I know she would weep bitterly once she will leave the house on her marriage. Who would get her Papa to say her goodbye amidst prayers and assurance? Now, I pledge with Naveed that though difficult, but I would raise her loving daughter according to his desires. I would be her Mama and Papa. I would remember Naveed in Nawal and never say him goodbye.”...... Tears, sobbing, pledge and national pride...... all this is left with soldiers and their families in toiling days and nights in this long lonely journey of life......

You would be here
Amidst the falling tears
Even once we will be gone
You will be here as a national treasure
We may weep, we may cry
But we would never say Goodbye
“You soldiers, You are our Pride​

The Writer is a member of Defence.pk and this story is true. Could post a few pics but due to privacy reasons couldn't.

KIT Over n Out

 

[air marshal]

 

[Fasih Khan]

My Tributes to the Martyrs. May Allah Kareem Bless them. Ameen.

Pakistan Zindabaad

 

[air marshal]

 

[air marshal]

 

[air marshal]

 

[air marshal]

 

[air marshal]