Bluebird-166 hijacked!

[Thorough Pro]

belittle??? i feel he did NOTHING of worthy and definetly nothing in war! what he did might have been a good thing worthy of HJ but definetly not worthy of Nishan-e-Haider!

To be honest this looked more like a political / moral boasting thing, AS MK said in an earlier post Minhas violated the rules by stopping his plane on the tarmac.

 

[Machbuster]

Sir,

Minhas did not deserve the Nishan a Haider----it was rather a disgrace for the medal to be given to someone who did not follow the guideline---. Stopping on the tarmac and picking up a passenger without authorization---a passenger without a parachute---a passenger who was a bengali as well---. Bad judgement---truthfully---the bengali instructor picked him up intentionally---because of Minhas's docile nature---someone who would follow an order---even if it was illegal.

It is not at all unusual for ground crew to stop the aircraft and plug in the headset from outside to sort out some problem, even while the aircraft has taxied out. One persistent problem with the T-33 was its nosewheel cocking at an angle during taxiing, in which case an instructor, always available in the mobile control next to the runway, would come and sort out the issue. Another occasional practice was for a solo student to give a lift to his instructor (in the rear seat) till the mobile control, if a transport was not available, rather than delay everybody's take-off in the absence of a mobile control officer. So there was nothing unusual or illegal for Minhas to have stopped on the taxi-track to find out what the problem was; neither did he violate any standing order.

It has already been pointed out in the article that Matiur-Rehman was authorised to move about on the tarmac and aircraft manoeuvering areas, in his capacity as the Ground Safety Officer, something which all students were aware of. So again it wasn't exactly a bolt from the blue for Minhas to see Mati on the taxi track.

Now as for the award of NH, Minhas is no more, so even if the award was more than he deserved, his sacrifice was supreme enough and the matter should not be turned into a controversy. If he was alive, it might have been another thing.

If there is an issue that needs to be taken up, you might like to object to the award of Nishan-i-Pakistan (which is the highest award in Pakistan) given to several third rate politicians by this government.

 

[indushek]

Hi,

Yahya Khan may had a few extra drinks at that time and in the rush of the high---he may have blurted out what all the drunks do---take it all---give it all----.

Mastaan sahab sometimes u tend to go overboard in the quest for giving out feelings of yours based on things u think are appropriate. They might be true too considering the background of thought u propose, however wouldn't it be decency to let things be when the issue was a some years old and can't be un made ?? it is not the behaviour of a organization or individual we are talking here of but politicians the born tormentors of subcontinent ( i say this because of ur comment where yahya khan's decision is being questioned by you, for others i have no locus standi whether the person awareded was deserving or not and so i choose not to comment on the topic).

I as a individual don't possess the age or experience to advise you. Being Indian puts me in a much dis advantegous position. However please consider this as a sincere advice from a fan of your posts as with some diplomacy you are one of the most brilliant posters here like oscar and my fav Muse (who unfortunately doesn't post any more).

I apologize in advance sir if u feel i crossed the line.

 

[baqai]

I find it disturbing that MK is bashing a Shaheed ....

 

[Thorough Pro]

I find it disturbing that MK is bashing a Shaheed ....

I don't think MK or anyone else here is bashing Minhas Shaheed (May ALLAH shower his blessings on him and all Shaheeds). MK is questioning the criteria used to award NH to Minhas sheed but not to Rafiqui forexample who fought bravely and gave his life providing support to his team with a faulty plane when he easily / legimately could have left the scene.

Remember NH is awarded for exceptionl show of courage and bravery beyond ones call of duty, keeping this criteria in mind what was there in Bluebird hijacking incident.

 

[baqai]

I agree that Rafiqui deserved a NH along with several other people who didn't got it while they deserved it. But blaming Rashid Minhas for breaking rules/procedures/policies? Also it's easy to criticize but you never know how will one act in such circumstances.

 

[ice_man]

Minhas incident highlights the true failure of our armed forces in 71 war. it actually summarizes the whole issue, men with debatable show of courage were given debatable awards & the whole system was incompetent & was run on whim

 

[third eye]

I do not see a dispute in the award.

Here is a soldier who gave his life in preventing a " traitor' from doing his deed.

Saved the nation from embarrassment & humiliation of having an aircraft cross over along with two pilots.

Yes, he maybe should not have taken him on board but he set right his ' error' with his life.

 

[TaimiKhan]

I do not see a dispute in the award.

Here is a soldier who gave his life in preventing a " traitor' from doing his deed.

Saved the nation from embarrassment & humiliation of having an aircraft cross over along with two pilots.

Yes, he maybe should not have taken him on board but he set right his ' error' with his life.

I hardly / rarely thank Indian posters, couldn't resist this one.

This post sums up the whole issue.

 

[Icarus]

http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakist...araz-ahmed-rafiqui-hilal-e-jurat-shaheed.html

please tell me what makes Minhas "fit the criteria" and rafiqui fails to?

I don't wish to participate in this discussion as pointing out faults with the dead is some what disturbing for me, I shall try to keep it as diplomatic as possible but I request you to drop this topic. The Nishan-e-Haider (and other gallantry awards for that matter where the recipient is deceased) are not meant for the recipient but rather for the nation and force's morale. The recipient could hardly make any constructive use of his reward and their family, proud no doubt, would choose to exchange a hunk of shiny metal for their beloved son/father/brother any day.
As to what makes me think that Rashid Minhas deserved a Pilot Officer Nishan-e-Haider and Sqn. Ldr. Sarfaraz Ahmed did not, well in Rashid Minhas's case:

1) He was young.
2) He refused to ditch his aircraft and save himself.
3) He showed great selflessness in trying to evict the traitor and make him fail his objectives.
In a nutshell, he performed beyond the call of duty (Which was to waste the plane)

As for Sarfaraz Ahmed, he showed great bravery by all definitions but it is important to remember that:

1) After his guns jammed, there was little hope of trying to return to base without enemy engagement.

As a result of which, what he did was brave and showed great strength of character but did not qualify as "Acting beyond the call of duty". A fundamental requirement for qualifying for the NH.

 

[third eye]

The best a soldier can do is to give his life upholding the pledge he took on joining or being commissioned.

This I may add is much much more than what those in high places do despite have taken similar pledges either as Ministers or members of an elected body / house.

Now , its for the nation to decide how it wishes to honor those who fight for it.

No soldier has recognition in mind when he does what he is supposed to. He does it coz thats what he is supposed to do & is trained for - not to mention the izzat of his regiment.