PESHAWAR
\nFrom the freezing heights of Siachen to the rugged terrain of the Koh-e-Hindukush, Pakistani soldiers have long defended their homeland with great valour and unwavering resolve\u2014leaving even enemy commanders in awe of their indomitable courage and heroic battlefield performance.
\nAmong the most celebrated of these national heroes is Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider), whose gallantry during the 1999 Kargil War earned not just national admiration but respect from Indian military leadership as well.
\n\u201cDeath held no meaning for the 29-year-old officer of the 12th Northern Light Infantry Regiment,\u201d said Brigadier (R) Mehmood Shah, former Secretary Law and Order for the erstwhile FATA region. \u201cHe fought like a lion at 17,000 feet in the Gultery sector of the Line of Control, battling both the enemy and extreme weather to complete his difficult mission.\u201d
\nCaptain Sher Khan\u2019s heroic actions forced enemy troops to retreat, inflicting heavy losses on them. His bravery left Indian commanders, including M.P.S. Bajwa, so deeply impressed that they penned a citation acknowledging his indomitable courage and valour, requesting Pakistan to recognize his heroism.
\nPosthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan\u2019s highest military honour, Captain Sher Khan was immortalized alongside Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider)\u2014both of whom embraced martyrdom on July 5, 1999, in the same battle near Tiger Hills.
\nCaptain Sher Khan became the first Nishan-e-Haider recipient from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, symbolizing the courage of the region and setting a legacy for future generations. Brigaider Mehmood Shah recalled that this legacy traces back to the 1948 Kashmir War, beginning with Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed (NH) and carried forward by Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (NH) in 1965.
\nReferring to more recent military achievements, Brig. Shah highlighted the Pakistan Air Force\u2019s professional competence after downing two Indian aircraft and capturing an Indian pilot on February 27, 2019 which he said was a testament to Pakistan\u2019s continuing military prowess and preparedness.
\nHe also condemned the Indian government\u2019s actions in occupied Kashmir and criticized New Delhi\u2019s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it \u201cwater terrorism.\u201d The senior analyst supported Pakistan\u2019s response of suspending trade ties, closing the Wagah border, and downgrading diplomatic relations.
\n\u201cPakistan is a strong nation of 250 million with a professional and battle-hardened army,\u201d Brig. Shah emphasized. \u201cThis is the soil of martyrs\u2014where heroes like Captain Sher Khan and Major Aziz Bhatti are born, whose indomitable courage was highly praised.\u201d He said any misadventure by India would be thwarted with full might.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR From the freezing heights of Siachen to the rugged terrain of the Koh-e-Hindukush, Pakistani soldiers have long defended their homeland with great valour and unwavering resolve\u2014leaving even enemy commanders in awe of their indomitable courage and heroic battlefield performance. Among the most celebrated of these national heroes is Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider), […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-474499","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n