Gallant officer of Pakistan Army, Major Shabbir Sharif, who received top military award, Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery in 1971 war against India, was remembered on his 44th martyrdom anniversary here on Sunday.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented a salute while FC contingent played ‘Biggal’ to pay tributes to Major Shabbir Sharif.
The ceremony was held at his final resting place here on Sunday, where General Officer Commanding (GCO) Major General Kaleem Asif laid a floral wreath on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif. The ceremony was attended by Taimoor, s/o Major Shabbir Shareef and other family members.
They offered fateha and prayed for the departed soul. Major Shabbir was born at Kunjah in Gujrat district on April 28, 1943. He embraced martyrdom while fighting the enemy at the Sulemanki sector during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Haidar for his courage and bravery.
He was commissioned in Pakistan Army on April 19, 1964 and after successfully completing his training, he was posted to the 6th battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.
It was on December 3, 1971, that he was commanding a company of 6 FF Regiment near Sulemanki Headwork when he was assigned the task of capturing the high bund (ground) overlooking the Gurmukh Khera and Beriwala villages in the Sulemanki sector.
These points were defended by more than a company of Indian Army’s 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 its fortified trenches by dusk on December 3. A total of 43 enemy soldiers were killed in this well-nigh superhuman action, and another 28 were taken prisoners. Moreover, four enemy tanks were also destroyed. Major Shabbir Sharif embraced martyrdom in the battle. He was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat and Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery.