Nishan-i-Haider laureate Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was remembered on his death anniversary on Tuesday.
Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was born in Jat family of Pind Malikan (now Mahfuzabad) in Rawalpindi District on October 25, 1944. Muhammad Mahfuz joined Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962 as an infantry soldier.
At the time of India-Pakistan War of 1971, Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz was serving in Company “A” of 15 Punjab Regiment deployed on the Wagah-Attari Sector. On the night of December 17-18, his company was assigned the task of occupying Phul Kanjri village located in the same sector.
Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz was assigned to Platoon No. 3, which was designated as the forward unit in the assault. Thus this Platoon had to face torrential volleys of enemy fire from concrete Pill boxes.
When the entire Company “A” was about 70 yards from the Indian position, it was pinned down by an unceasing frontal and cross fire from automatic weapons. On top of that, the enemy artillery also opened up its fire with the break of dawn.
Mahfuz, whose machine-gun was destroyed by an enemy shell, charged towards the Indian defences. His heroic feat led to the success of the Pakistani assault.
For his supreme courage, Lance Naik Muhammad Mafuz Shaheed was awarded Nishan-i-Haider, the highest Military award of Pakistan.