Nishan-E-Haider Series.(2001-7)

1. MAJOR SHABBIR SHARIF (SHAHEED), NISHAN-E-HAIDER

Born in Kunjah, Gujrat District, on April 28,1943, Major Shabbir Sharif was commissioned in the Army on April 19, 1964 and posted to the Frontier Force Regiment. On December 3, 1971, he was commanding a company of 6 FF Regiment near Sulemanki headworks when he was assigned the task of capturing the high bund overlooking the Gurmukh Khera and Beriwala villages in the Sulemanki sector. These points were defended by more than a company of the Assam Regiment which was supported by a squadron of tanks.

To attain his objective, Major Sharif had to go through an enemy minefield and swim across a 30-feet wide and 10 feet deep defensive canal, which he accomplished under heavy artillery and automatic fire. Leading his company, he launched a frontal attack and succeeded in driving the enemy out of his fortified trenches by dusk on December 3. In this well-nigh superhuman action 43 enemy soldiers were killed, 28 were taken prisoner and four enemy tanks were destroyed.

For the next three days and nights, the enemy launched repeated counter-attacks. These were repulsed by Major Sharif who held his vantage position on the high bund, holding two enemy battalions at bay. During one of the enemy attacks, Major Sharif jumped out of his trench on the night between December 5 and 6, killed the enemy Company Commander of 4 Jat Regiment and recovered important documents from his person. During another attack in the afternoon of December 6, Major Sharif took over an anti tank gun from his gunner, and while engaging enemy armour, he was killed in action by a direct hit from an enemy tank.

For the supreme sacrifice that he made for the honour of his country Major Shabbir Sharif was awarded NISHAN-E-HAIDER the highest Military award of Pakistan.

II. MAJOR MUHAMMAD AKRAM (SHAHEED), NISHAN-E-HAIDER

Born in Dingha, Gujrat District, on April 4,1938, Major Muhammad Akram was commissioned in the Pakistan Army on October 13, 1963 and posted to the Frontier Force Regiment. On July 7, 1968, he was posted to the then East Pakistan where he commanded a company of 4 FF Regiment when war broke out in 1971, he was in command of the company in the forward area in Hilli district which was the Local point of concentrated Indian pressure. Subjected to incessant air, artillery and armour attacks, Major Akram's company withstood every assault and did not concede even an inch of Pakistan territory, although on one occasion the enemy mounted a major attack by a full brigade supported by a squadron of tanks to break through our defence and makes way for his 20th Mountain Division. But despite enemy superiority both in number and fire power, Major Akram and his men repulsed every attack for a whole fortnight, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The heroic resistance put up by him in the face of a virtual firestorm demonstrated his exemplary courage and unwavering determination to fight to the better end. Major Akram died in action during the epic battle leaving behind the legend of his supreme sacrifice in the execution of a valiant mission.

For the supreme sacrifice that he made for the honour of his country Major Muhammad Akram was awarded NISHAN-E-HAIDER the highest Military award of Pakistan. Date of Issue (September 6, 2001)