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AMMI JEE REMEMBERS - Recalling memories of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider, Sitara-e-Jurrat)
By Rashid Wali Janjua
This is the story of the most decorated war hero of Pakistan recounted through the prism of the fond memories of an equally heroic mother. Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider and Sitara-e-Jurat is a metaphor of courage that needs to be celebrated not only to honour his memory but also to inspire a new generation of heroes. A recent meeting with the mother of the legendary Shabbir Sharif was a unique honour that yielded a treasure trove of memories about the temperament and personality of the shaheed. “Beta our young generation needs heroes to emulate and Shabbir was one such shining example that can inspire them to think and act like heroes”, spoke the ailing mother of the most decorated soldier produced by this country half reclining on a bed. “Beta, tell them that the blood of martyrs is the protective halo that guards the frontiers of a nation”, she spoke slowly but clearly weaving a skein of her memories out of a still razor sharp mind.
A lot has been written about Major Shabbir Sharif who won a Sitara-e-Jurat for his gallant action in the battle of Chamb-Jaurian in 1965 and a Nishan-e-Haider for his exploits in the Sulaimanki Sector in the 1971 war but few are aware of the human aspects lying lovingly in the stout heart of Ammi Jee. Shabbir Sharif came from a martial stock with parents hailing from Kunjah and Ladian villages with the patriarch Sharif being an army officer of the old order holding firmly to soldierly virtues like honesty, frugality, and courage with Ammi Jee being his devoted companion. Major Sharif’s soldierly deportment and gruff exterior contrasted beautifully with the mellow nature and austere ways of an indefatigable house maker. The couple begot five children, three sons and two daughters, Khalida being the eldest and Shabbir number two followed by Mumtaz, Najmi and Raheel. It was a well knit family, steeped in martial traditions and socio culture ethos of middle class. The military sub culture and ambulatory life style had further cemented the bond between family members with the father playing as a friendly martinet as opposed to the soft punctiliousness of a house keeping focused mother. In those days of pre cable entertainment the family had regular nightly pow vows in front of fire place to share the news, reading lists and anecdotes. It was in the smithy of that value laden crucible that the character traits of the children were forged. The quest for excellence through honest endeavour was the family credo imparted to the kids by their parents hammered home not too infrequently in the words of Hafiz Shirazii.e “Kasb-e-Kamal Kun Ke Aziz-e-Jahan Shawi” (Attain excellence in order to be the darling of this world).
Shabbir being the first son was accorded special status right from the birth. The family celebrated his birth with three instead of one customary “Aqiqas” (Thanks giving function). He started displaying some special qualities right from the early child hood. As a child he appeared to possess an unusual joie de vivre and determination. No body could make him do a thing he was dead set against. Ammi Jee remembers the naughty visage of a four year old Shabbir running away from his bath tub to the safety of an obscure nook, laughing uncontrollably, much to the chagrin of an exasperated mother. No entreaties could wheedle him back into the bath tub unless he wanted to. Nature perhaps was planting the first seeds of an iron will in a future hero.
When Shabbir grew up as a teenager he displayed some unique traits. Though he was sprightly, effervescent and outgoing by nature still he retained a strong streak of sensitivity and emotionalism. It was perhaps the effect of the moral values of duty, honour and compassion nurtured in the motivational bonhomie of the daily family conclaves that he developed a sense of “noblesse oblige” especially towards the under privileged. He had a quick temper and no patience for transgressors. Quite often during his travels to the college on a bus he picked up fights with the manner less louts who refused to vacate their seat for ladies and old people.
Being an extremely venturesome kid Shabbir was always up to some prank involving physical risk and courage. The sisters remember the bated breath suspense of boxing bouts between Mumtaz the younger sibling (Later on Captain Mumtaz Sitara-i-Basalat) and Shabbir where the father acted as the referee. With Shabbir having the clear edge during such bouts the doughty Mumtaz also landed one odd lusty jab resulting in a free style type wrestling melee on the big lawns of their British era Quetta bungalow. In the ensuing mayhem their father used to be heard shouting, ”Come on Sajj (Mumtaz”s nickname) catch him”. Shabbir of course was always the provoker who needled a staid Mumtaz into such contests, aimed at having fun and “physical conditioning” of the younger brother. The sisters also were not spared this privilege albeit in different activities; Najmi the younger sister remembers being pushed down a sloping track after being coaxed to sit on a bicycle. Such pranks according to Shabbir”s philosophy were a way to steel the nerves of his younger siblings.
He was a generous soul with a big munificent heart and infectious laughter. He was fond of latest fads in the apparel and always took great care to get his suits stitched from the best tailors. Khalida his suave and literary sister remembers with pride the incident when he gifted away without a second’s hesitation his favourite brand new suit to a friend who needed it for an interview. He was especially close to his sisters and the younger brother Raheel (Presently Lieutenant General). He had great affiliation with young Raheel and missed no opportunity to groom him as per his own high ideals of leadership and morality. He often wrote letters to him full of advices and instructions about his personal conduct and upbringing with special accent on character building and integrity. He made it a point to invite him during vacations to his PMA Kakul residence where he was serving as a platoon commander. Raheel has fond memories of the swimming and boxing coaching lessons and adventure trips to hiking sites like Kaghan and Naran where Shabbir gave a demonstration of his venturesome spirit on his heavy bike.
Ammi Jee’s memory veers towards 1971. Major Shabbir Sharif an obedient son, a doting father and a loving husband was finally where he loved being the most, at the frontlines, commanding the troops. The prodigies of valour displayed by Shabbir on the Sabuna bund at Sulaimanki sector are the stuff that the legends are made of. His daring assault on enemy bunkers and killing of the Indian Major Narayan Singh in a one on one gladiatorial contest has entered the regimental lore that warms the cockles of many a daring young soldiers’ hearts each time the battle of Gurmukhera bridge is remembered. The proud mother remembers vividly the blacked out dark night of 6 December when the police came calling on their gates. The messenger asked Major Sharif, “Do you know Major Shabbir Sharif? Major Sharif retorted,” know him? He is everything to me”. The news of Shabbir Sharif’s martyrdom was received with characteristic stoicism by his parents.
Thus ended the Shabbir saga, in a blaze of glory at the prime age of 28. He had died as he had lived; leading from the front and fighting for the underdogs. “Son, if the future generation imbibes the true spirit of his life and martyrdom I think his sacrifice would have earned its maximum requital”, she spoke finally with a voice choked with emotion but head held high with pride.
[Raashid Wali Janjua is closely associated with the Shabbir Sharif Shaheed family. The article is based on an interview with Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed’s mother, written in connection with the 6th September Pakistan Defence Day]
http://www.facebook.com/bmian1/posts/10151697122483371
AMMI JEE REMEMBERS - Recalling memories of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider, Sitara-e-Jurrat)
By Rashid Wali Janjua
This is the story of the most decorated war hero of Pakistan recounted through the prism of the fond memories of an equally heroic mother. Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider and Sitara-e-Jurat is a metaphor of courage that needs to be celebrated not only to honour his memory but also to inspire a new generation of heroes. A recent meeting with the mother of the legendary Shabbir Sharif was a unique honour that yielded a treasure trove of memories about the temperament and personality of the shaheed. “Beta our young generation needs heroes to emulate and Shabbir was one such shining example that can inspire them to think and act like heroes”, spoke the ailing mother of the most decorated soldier produced by this country half reclining on a bed. “Beta, tell them that the blood of martyrs is the protective halo that guards the frontiers of a nation”, she spoke slowly but clearly weaving a skein of her memories out of a still razor sharp mind.
A lot has been written about Major Shabbir Sharif who won a Sitara-e-Jurat for his gallant action in the battle of Chamb-Jaurian in 1965 and a Nishan-e-Haider for his exploits in the Sulaimanki Sector in the 1971 war but few are aware of the human aspects lying lovingly in the stout heart of Ammi Jee. Shabbir Sharif came from a martial stock with parents hailing from Kunjah and Ladian villages with the patriarch Sharif being an army officer of the old order holding firmly to soldierly virtues like honesty, frugality, and courage with Ammi Jee being his devoted companion. Major Sharif’s soldierly deportment and gruff exterior contrasted beautifully with the mellow nature and austere ways of an indefatigable house maker. The couple begot five children, three sons and two daughters, Khalida being the eldest and Shabbir number two followed by Mumtaz, Najmi and Raheel. It was a well knit family, steeped in martial traditions and socio culture ethos of middle class. The military sub culture and ambulatory life style had further cemented the bond between family members with the father playing as a friendly martinet as opposed to the soft punctiliousness of a house keeping focused mother. In those days of pre cable entertainment the family had regular nightly pow vows in front of fire place to share the news, reading lists and anecdotes. It was in the smithy of that value laden crucible that the character traits of the children were forged. The quest for excellence through honest endeavour was the family credo imparted to the kids by their parents hammered home not too infrequently in the words of Hafiz Shirazii.e “Kasb-e-Kamal Kun Ke Aziz-e-Jahan Shawi” (Attain excellence in order to be the darling of this world).
Shabbir being the first son was accorded special status right from the birth. The family celebrated his birth with three instead of one customary “Aqiqas” (Thanks giving function). He started displaying some special qualities right from the early child hood. As a child he appeared to possess an unusual joie de vivre and determination. No body could make him do a thing he was dead set against. Ammi Jee remembers the naughty visage of a four year old Shabbir running away from his bath tub to the safety of an obscure nook, laughing uncontrollably, much to the chagrin of an exasperated mother. No entreaties could wheedle him back into the bath tub unless he wanted to. Nature perhaps was planting the first seeds of an iron will in a future hero.
When Shabbir grew up as a teenager he displayed some unique traits. Though he was sprightly, effervescent and outgoing by nature still he retained a strong streak of sensitivity and emotionalism. It was perhaps the effect of the moral values of duty, honour and compassion nurtured in the motivational bonhomie of the daily family conclaves that he developed a sense of “noblesse oblige” especially towards the under privileged. He had a quick temper and no patience for transgressors. Quite often during his travels to the college on a bus he picked up fights with the manner less louts who refused to vacate their seat for ladies and old people.
Being an extremely venturesome kid Shabbir was always up to some prank involving physical risk and courage. The sisters remember the bated breath suspense of boxing bouts between Mumtaz the younger sibling (Later on Captain Mumtaz Sitara-i-Basalat) and Shabbir where the father acted as the referee. With Shabbir having the clear edge during such bouts the doughty Mumtaz also landed one odd lusty jab resulting in a free style type wrestling melee on the big lawns of their British era Quetta bungalow. In the ensuing mayhem their father used to be heard shouting, ”Come on Sajj (Mumtaz”s nickname) catch him”. Shabbir of course was always the provoker who needled a staid Mumtaz into such contests, aimed at having fun and “physical conditioning” of the younger brother. The sisters also were not spared this privilege albeit in different activities; Najmi the younger sister remembers being pushed down a sloping track after being coaxed to sit on a bicycle. Such pranks according to Shabbir”s philosophy were a way to steel the nerves of his younger siblings.
He was a generous soul with a big munificent heart and infectious laughter. He was fond of latest fads in the apparel and always took great care to get his suits stitched from the best tailors. Khalida his suave and literary sister remembers with pride the incident when he gifted away without a second’s hesitation his favourite brand new suit to a friend who needed it for an interview. He was especially close to his sisters and the younger brother Raheel (Presently Lieutenant General). He had great affiliation with young Raheel and missed no opportunity to groom him as per his own high ideals of leadership and morality. He often wrote letters to him full of advices and instructions about his personal conduct and upbringing with special accent on character building and integrity. He made it a point to invite him during vacations to his PMA Kakul residence where he was serving as a platoon commander. Raheel has fond memories of the swimming and boxing coaching lessons and adventure trips to hiking sites like Kaghan and Naran where Shabbir gave a demonstration of his venturesome spirit on his heavy bike.
Ammi Jee’s memory veers towards 1971. Major Shabbir Sharif an obedient son, a doting father and a loving husband was finally where he loved being the most, at the frontlines, commanding the troops. The prodigies of valour displayed by Shabbir on the Sabuna bund at Sulaimanki sector are the stuff that the legends are made of. His daring assault on enemy bunkers and killing of the Indian Major Narayan Singh in a one on one gladiatorial contest has entered the regimental lore that warms the cockles of many a daring young soldiers’ hearts each time the battle of Gurmukhera bridge is remembered. The proud mother remembers vividly the blacked out dark night of 6 December when the police came calling on their gates. The messenger asked Major Sharif, “Do you know Major Shabbir Sharif? Major Sharif retorted,” know him? He is everything to me”. The news of Shabbir Sharif’s martyrdom was received with characteristic stoicism by his parents.
Thus ended the Shabbir saga, in a blaze of glory at the prime age of 28. He had died as he had lived; leading from the front and fighting for the underdogs. “Son, if the future generation imbibes the true spirit of his life and martyrdom I think his sacrifice would have earned its maximum requital”, she spoke finally with a voice choked with emotion but head held high with pride.
[Raashid Wali Janjua is closely associated with the Shabbir Sharif Shaheed family. The article is based on an interview with Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed’s mother, written in connection with the 6th September Pakistan Defence Day]
http://www.facebook.com/bmian1/posts/10151697122483371
