KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday visited the house of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan-i-Haider), who embraced martyrdom during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and spent time with his family.
As Pakistan observed Defence Day on Friday, rich tributes poured in for sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives while fighting for the defence of the country.
Murad also saw memorable pictures of Rashid Minhas.
While talking to the media later in the day, Shah said Shaheed Rashid Minhas sacrificed his life at a young age for the love of homeland, adding that his name will always be remembered.
Minhas was born on Feb 17, 1951, in Karachi. His family belongs to Minhas clan of Rajputs caste. He was commissioned as a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in 1971.
Minhas was taxiing toward the runway when a Bengali instructor pilot, Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, signalled the young pilot to stop and then climbed into the instructor’s seat.
To Minhas’ surprise, the instructor turned the jet towards India.
Bound by the military discipline, Minhas did not force the instructor rather radioed the PAF Masroor Base that he was being hijacked. The air controller requested that he resend his message, and he, again, confirmed the hijacking.
Later investigation showed that Rahman intended to defect to India to join his compatriots in the Bangladesh Liberation War, along with the jet trainer.
However, Minhas did the only thing within his control and forced that plane to crash just 32 miles from the Indian border, sacrificing his life for the country.
