Our Heroes need their identity back - Pakistan Army

[ghazi52]

Cuirassier
@leftofthepincer
Dec 15, 2020


On this day during the Winter War in the West, the Pakistan Army's 8ᵗʰ Armoured Brigade would counterattack an Indian bridgehead over the Basantar River; manned by troops of the 47ᵗʰ Brigade and the 17 Horse. what followed was reminiscent of the 'Charge of the Light Brigade'.

The Indian plan was to turn over the Pakistani defences along the Sakror Bund, thus in turn threatening Zafarwal itself. just past 0800 hrs, the 'A' Sqn of 13 Lancers, commanded by Major Jahangir "JK" Karamat (later COAS), would form up and charge at the Ghazipur Forest. deploying a smokescreen to cover their approach. the Regiment had been ordered to take-up 'counter-penetration' positions, but faulty assessment from the Brigade HQ bludgeoned them to attack and prevent the bridgehead's expansion. little did they know that the 17 Horse's..'C' Sqn, alongwith the RHQ troop, was awaiting them at the edge of the Forest, with their tanks in hull-down positions. the attacking ratio was obviously inadequate. meanwhile, the CO had ordered the 'B' and 'C' Sqn to assault '6 to 7 tanks' down south at Jarpal-Barapind.





Once again the intelligence was misleading, as the Poona Horse's 'B' Sqn was deployed in defence, and was reinforced by two troops mid-way during the 13 Lancers assault. what followed was intense and chaotic. the bridgehead was contained, albeit at a heavy cost.

The entire affair was a good example of how faulty assessment of threats - due to bad field intelligence - and improper utilization of artillery assets could doom an offensive operation - regardless of the valour shown by the troopers on the frontlines. here's to those troopers.
Major Ejaz Alam Khan, of the 13ᵗʰ Lancers, was one of the famous 'Alam' brothers. promoted just before the war, the CO had asked him to takeover as the Adjutant, after Karamat and Asmat Beg rejoined the Regiment. he opted to stay on as a troop leader in 'A' Sqn.







"saw Ejaz Alam Khan the last time alive. he was looking very dashing in his black leather jacket and khaki jungle hat, with the motto he had chosen for himself: 'Death before Disgrace'." - recalls Major Nasir, who led the 'C' Sqn into battle.




Lieutenant Zafar Ali Akbar - a troop leader with the 'Spearheads'. son of Akbar Khan, who was commanding the Murree-based 12 Division during the war.

Lance Daffadar Dost Muhammad, of the 31ˢᵗ Cavalry, also fell during the battle. the Regiment was launched into the attack, losing a gallant squadron commander, Major Allay Ahmed, and a troop leader, Lieutenant ZR Mirza. the former was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat.





Major Nasir, whom I mentioned earlier, would be awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat, after knocking out the tank of a gallant Poona Horse subaltern - Arun Kheterpal, PVC. the late Shuja Khanzada is standing on Nasir's right. Ejaz Alam Khan can also be seen on the photograph's top right.





Lieutenant Derek Joseph, a young troop leader with the 'Harawals', was awarded the Tamgha-e-Jurat for gallantry, after knocking out 4 tanks despite taking several hits. he was of Armenian descent, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

 

[Sifar zero]

I am looking to make a compilation of shaheeds with no distinction based on rank.It will include every rank from sepoy to a general.Will anyone help me with it?

 

[ghazi52]

The 2ⁿᵈ Punjab was under AA Malik's 24ᵗʰ Infantry Brigade, which was headquartered at Chawinda itself, and did the bulk of the fighting. in picture,

Musa pins the Sitara-e-Jurat on Lieutenant Colonel Jamshed.

 

[ghazi52]

Major Sabir Khan Sitara-e-Jurat 9ᵗʰ Azad Kashmir "Leepa Heroes"
5ᵗʰ May 1972 Chakpatra, Leepa Valley made the supreme sacrifice after leading his company to victory at the Chakpatra Top, in a well-executed offensive operation in the mountains, against all odds.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

General Musa pins the Sitara-e-Jurat on Lieutenant Colonel Jehanzeb "Bobby" Arbab, commanding officer of the 4ᵗʰ Punjab, which routed an attempt by the 3/9ᵗʰ Gorkha Rifles to recapture Chananwala, near Sulemanki, on night 25/26 September 1965. 65 Gorkhas were killed or captured.

 

[ghazi52]

Circa September 1965

An 8 Baloch JCO is pictured holding a captured 7.62mm SLR in the aftermath of combat in Chhamb-Jaurian; the unit had spearheaded the Pakistani advance in the audacious Operation Grandslam.
The photographer is a young Captain Taimoor Ali.

 

[ghazi52]

Circa 1968

General Yahya Khan meets an Army mountaineering team that summited the Rakaposhi Peak. Captain Taimoor Ali, the officer commanding the 15-man expedition, He is on Yahya's left.
Captain Taimoor Ali went missing believed killed in action, with effect from 11ᵗʰ December 1971, in East Pakistan.

 

[ghazi52]

All Commanders of Gibralter forces stand for a group photo with General Officer Commanding (GOC) 12 Division General Akhtar Hussain Malik (In Glasses) in 12 Div HeadQuarters Muree. Maj Munawar standing on his right.

 

[ghazi52]

It was verily the saddest moment of his life to receive the news of his father Raja Sardar Khan's demise. His father brought him up to be a soldier and it was unbearable for him to know that his son had to retreat.

It was the month of August 1965 when Major Shahnawaz Malik from the “C Company of 8 Baluch Regiment” was assigned a task to destroy enemy’s “Pallanwala" gun post. It was a heavily guarded enemy gun post inside the enemy territory. Shahnawaz was designated to neutralise with handful of his men. On their way, the company faced an ambush; which compelled Shahnawaz and his men to fall back because the element of surprise was lost. As in such a case to destroy the gun post deep within enemy territory was out of question. However, it costed company Naik Aslam, who was missing in action after receiving a machine gun burst.

This was not only a loss for 8 Baluch but also a personal loss for Major Shahnawaz as his man was left behind, although in war such a situations are common and can happen to anyone. A tactical retreat was made to hit the target next time. However his father took it on his heart as he heard the news of his son’s retreat, considering it cowardice and passed away.

Shahnawaz received this news in his unit. It was verily the saddest moment of his life to receive the news of his father Raja Sardar Khan's demise. His father brought him up to be a soldier and it was unbearable for him to know that his son had to retreat. The burden of Naik Aslam’s life was on him, the demise of his father increased his debt even more. It was the thicket of war,

Shahnawaz decided not to attend his father’s funeral, until he could do something to make his father proud. Now he owed his father too much.

Shahnawaz didn’t had to wait any longer, as his CO Lt. Col Muhammad Siddique Khan assigned him the task to take enemy position in Burejal, a bordering town of Indian Occupied Kashmir. “Burejal" was a strongly guarded enemy post with every kind of weapon and two companies of infantry; well coordinated and protected by artillery cover. On the other side Shahnawaz had only C Company with usual infantry weapons. For him it was not just war, it was the call of duty and the chance to pay the debt of Naik Aslam and his father.

September 01, 1965

C company was advancing towards Burejal stealthily. It remained undetected as long as it was under the topographical cover of the area. As the company reached in the open area, it was no more a secret for the enemy and enemy started laying intense fire on Shahnawaz and his men. However advancing was the only option for them. The heavy barge of the all types of weapons from the enemy bunkers hit the company. Major Shahnawaz was hit in his both legs by an MG fire. Subedar Sultan Khan took over the company as Second in Command and ordered to advance. C Company opened the gates of hell for the enemy, who was sitting in his secure bunkers.

It is a textbook teaching that the attacking force must be three times larger than the enemy sitting in the bunkers. But here only a single company was fighting against the two companies of enemy, fortified in the bunkers. C Company was being hit badly but the enemy in the bunkers was the most unsafe creature at that time.

Most of his men were dead or retreating to the rear bunkers. Although Shahnawaz was hit but he was crawling towards the enemy positions and fired with his sten gun. Subedar Sultan was also hit by 26 bullets and fell down. Now every person was leading the fight individually. Shahnawaz was asked to move back as he was fatally injured. He could have been evacuated and treated for his wounds, but it was not just war, for him it was the only option to pay the debt on his soul. He refused to go back and kept advancing along with his wireless operator Mehmood.

A notable number of the enemy was dead but the intensity of the fire from the bunkers was still the same.

There were a number of enemy soldiers fighting from there. A soldier could be seen firing from different weapons. Initially it was and MG, then LMG and later he switched to the Sten Gun as the Pakistani soldiers were closing in. Without being noticed by anyone, Shahnawaz reached 40 yards close to the enemy MG bunker, where the enemy soldier was manning an MG. But being fatally injured Shahnawaz was unable to throw the grenade that far. He started to crawl closer while his men were providing him the cover. When he was just 15 yards away from the enemy, he took out the safety pin of hand grenade.

Enemy soldier was unaware about the blow he was going to receive. Being a Southpaw, Shahnawaz took the grenade in his left hand and lobbed towards the enemy. In the meantime, the enemy soldier noticed Shahnawaz coming towards the bunker. He took up the Sten Gun and fired a barge of bullets towards Shahnawaz. The landing of grenade on the enemy soldier and bullets hittings the forehead of Shahnawaz happened at the same moment.

Major Mirza Muazzam Beg from the D Company hit the enemy position in the second wave and captured Burejal moments after his attack. Wounded but extremely valiant C Company was evacuated from the area.

Although Subedar Sultan got 26 bullets but miraculously survived. While Major Shahnawaz was in a hurry to meet his father and explain the matter to him. He embraced Shahadat. Captain Zulfiqar Akhtar Naaz loaded his body in the ambulance and dispatched towards the headquarters. It felt as if every wound on his body is saying.


میرے چارہ گو کو نوید ہو، صف دشمناں کو خبر کرو

وہ جو قرض رکھتے تھے جان پر، وہ حساب آج چکا دیا


Major Shahnawaz was awarded Sitara e Jurrat posthumously for his gallant act.

 

[khanasifm]

It was verily the saddest moment of his life to receive the news of his father Raja Sardar Khan's demise. His father brought him up to be a soldier and it was unbearable for him to know that his son had to retreat.

It was the month of August 1965 when Major Shahnawaz Malik from the “C Company of 8 Baluch Regiment” was assigned a task to destroy enemy’s “Pallanwala" gun post. It was a heavily guarded enemy gun post inside the enemy territory. Shahnawaz was designated to neutralise with handful of his men. On their way, the company faced an ambush; which compelled Shahnawaz and his men to fall back because the element of surprise was lost. As in such a case to destroy the gun post deep within enemy territory was out of question. However, it costed company Naik Aslam, who was missing in action after receiving a machine gun burst.

This was not only a loss for 8 Baluch but also a personal loss for Major Shahnawaz as his man was left behind, although in war such a situations are common and can happen to anyone. A tactical retreat was made to hit the target next time. However his father took it on his heart as he heard the news of his son’s retreat, considering it cowardice and passed away.

Shahnawaz received this news in his unit. It was verily the saddest moment of his life to receive the news of his father Raja Sardar Khan's demise. His father brought him up to be a soldier and it was unbearable for him to know that his son had to retreat. The burden of Naik Aslam’s life was on him, the demise of his father increased his debt even more. It was the thicket of war,

Shahnawaz decided not to attend his father’s funeral, until he could do something to make his father proud. Now he owed his father too much.

Shahnawaz didn’t had to wait any longer, as his CO Lt. Col Muhammad Siddique Khan assigned him the task to take enemy position in Burejal, a bordering town of Indian Occupied Kashmir. “Burejal" was a strongly guarded enemy post with every kind of weapon and two companies of infantry; well coordinated and protected by artillery cover. On the other side Shahnawaz had only C Company with usual infantry weapons. For him it was not just war, it was the call of duty and the chance to pay the debt of Naik Aslam and his father.

September 01, 1965

C company was advancing towards Burejal stealthily. It remained undetected as long as it was under the topographical cover of the area. As the company reached in the open area, it was no more a secret for the enemy and enemy started laying intense fire on Shahnawaz and his men. However advancing was the only option for them. The heavy barge of the all types of weapons from the enemy bunkers hit the company. Major Shahnawaz was hit in his both legs by an MG fire. Subedar Sultan Khan took over the company as Second in Command and ordered to advance. C Company opened the gates of hell for the enemy, who was sitting in his secure bunkers.

It is a textbook teaching that the attacking force must be three times larger than the enemy sitting in the bunkers. But here only a single company was fighting against the two companies of enemy, fortified in the bunkers. C Company was being hit badly but the enemy in the bunkers was the most unsafe creature at that time.

Most of his men were dead or retreating to the rear bunkers. Although Shahnawaz was hit but he was crawling towards the enemy positions and fired with his sten gun. Subedar Sultan was also hit by 26 bullets and fell down. Now every person was leading the fight individually. Shahnawaz was asked to move back as he was fatally injured. He could have been evacuated and treated for his wounds, but it was not just war, for him it was the only option to pay the debt on his soul. He refused to go back and kept advancing along with his wireless operator Mehmood.

A notable number of the enemy was dead but the intensity of the fire from the bunkers was still the same.

There were a number of enemy soldiers fighting from there. A soldier could be seen firing from different weapons. Initially it was and MG, then LMG and later he switched to the Sten Gun as the Pakistani soldiers were closing in. Without being noticed by anyone, Shahnawaz reached 40 yards close to the enemy MG bunker, where the enemy soldier was manning an MG. But being fatally injured Shahnawaz was unable to throw the grenade that far. He started to crawl closer while his men were providing him the cover. When he was just 15 yards away from the enemy, he took out the safety pin of hand grenade.

Enemy soldier was unaware about the blow he was going to receive. Being a Southpaw, Shahnawaz took the grenade in his left hand and lobbed towards the enemy. In the meantime, the enemy soldier noticed Shahnawaz coming towards the bunker. He took up the Sten Gun and fired a barge of bullets towards Shahnawaz. The landing of grenade on the enemy soldier and bullets hittings the forehead of Shahnawaz happened at the same moment.

Major Mirza Muazzam Beg from the D Company hit the enemy position in the second wave and captured Burejal moments after his attack. Wounded but extremely valiant C Company was evacuated from the area.

Although Subedar Sultan got 26 bullets but miraculously survived. While Major Shahnawaz was in a hurry to meet his father and explain the matter to him. He embraced Shahadat. Captain Zulfiqar Akhtar Naaz loaded his body in the ambulance and dispatched towards the headquarters. It felt as if every wound on his body is saying.


میرے چارہ گو کو نوید ہو، صف دشمناں کو خبر کرو

وہ جو قرض رکھتے تھے جان پر، وہ حساب آج چکا دیا


Major Shahnawaz was awarded Sitara e Jurrat posthumously for his gallant act.

off

 

[ghazi52]

Officers at Kharian, 1964.

Most of you can recognize Zia, but there were more... the man on his left is the dashing Major Ziauddin Ahmed Abbasi, OC 'B' Squadron of the Guides Cavalry - killed in action at village Gill, on 11ᵗʰ September 1965. awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat.

 

[ghazi52]

21/11/1971 - the last Eid of East Pakistan.

For the troops, it was nightmarish. witnessing death and bloodshed on a day when the defenses at Hilli, Atgram and Jessore were attacked.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

"A very rare & original picture of five NISHAN-E-HAIDERS including Rashid Minhas Shaheed taken at ISSB entrance exams, Rashid Minhas Shaheed was 17 years of age at that time!!!!