Honouring our brave soldiers
December 09, 2008
The Greek philosopher Plato said: “What is honoured in a country is cultivated there”. As I have spent the better part of my life in the Profession of Arms, I feel an urge to honour brave soldiers, who had served as role models in the formative years of my generation.
Similarly, since most of the personalities mentioned in this paper passed away in 2008, it will be a befitting tribute if, I am able to pay homage before this calendar year closes. Accordingly, since my main purpose is to inspire future generations with tales of brave army lions, I will also be referring to some lions who are mercifully very much alive and others who may have been martyred earlier. If by this effort I am able to inspire even a few of Pakistan’s future soldiers, I would be more than satisfied; it also goes without saying, that in these difficult times, even a little boost to the national morale will be worthwhile.
Allow me also to clarify from the outset, that these are, not the only brave lions meriting mention; this is merely a list of people whom I knew personally. Inevitably, there will be others worthy of mention. It will be a great service, if someone else also highlights deeds of Pakistanis whose lives can serve as beacons in these troubled times.
Brig Abdul Shakur Jan, SJ, SI(M): I first met Capt Shakur Jan in 1961 when I joined the PMA, where he was one of the platoon commanders; for the sake of those not familiar with life at the military academy, allow me to emphasise, that platoon commanders, arguably, exercise the greatest influence in moulding the characters and personalities of cadets. ‘Shakura’ as he was fondly known, was not my direct platoon commander, yet, he and a small band of SSG officers, like captains Syed and Sikander had a larger than life sphere of influence. Despite the fact that Capt Shakur Jan had no direct responsibility towards me, yet, at the time of my ‘prelim boxing bout’ with Shabbir Sharif (who was destined to become Pakistan’s most highly decorated hero) he went the proverbial extra mile to send me a message through my schoolmate, Badruddin (who also became a recipient of the coveted Sword Of Honour) that “no matter what happens in the bout I must conduct myself gracefully”. Was he conveying the well-known and oft-repeated dictum, “It is not important what happens to you, but what is important, is how you behave while it is happening to you”; an important lesson most effectively conveyed don’t you think? ! This is one example which illustrates how Brig Shakur Jan influenced lives of those with whom he came in contact; I am certain, there must be numerous other cases in which he had a positive impact on the lives of people.
Another aspect which held him in high esteem with cadets was the perception that he had seen action. I do not think his cadets knew any details of this romantic notion, yet his credibility was so high that we all believed it; whatever the truth, in his subsequent career he more than substantiated this perception!
During the Rann of Kutch emergency in April 1965, Maj Shakur Jan got his first opportunity for direct confrontation with the Indian Army. He more than lived up to his promise when as a Company Commander of the 15 FF, he carried out audacious day and night patrolling and like a true commander led his company in a successful attack on Biar Bet near Jattrai. For his gallantry in action, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat.
In 1971, Lt Col Shakur Jan experienced combat in what was East Pakistan; while he was there commanding the 1 Commando Battalion, I was also there flying MI-8 helicopters for army aviation. These were bad remorseful days because even though the Indians were heavily involved, it was essentially a civil war, which to say the least, is distasteful to professional soldiers. Irrespective of what I have just written, these also were times in which both the SSG and Army Aviation combined most admirably, to write what were, probably, the most glorious chapters in their respective histories. This was so because the terrain was ideally suited for heliborne operations and required men of vision and daring; people like Col Shakur Jan who could inspire soldiers and take them to unimaginable heights. Throughout 1971, countless missions were planned and executed to perfection because of fearless planning and execution by both the SSG and army aviation. Unfortunately, because of the final ignominy of surrender all the good work of heroes like Col Shakur Jan and other gallant soldiers was sadly forgotten or scrubbed. Brig Shakur Jan, in line with the rest of his career, soldiered on bravely till May 1983 when he finally hung up his boots. Like all mortals, he passed away in 2008. Adieu brave friend and teacher.
Maj Gen Mohammad Mumtaz Khan, HJ, SJ: I had known General Mumtaz a long time before I had the honour to meet him. This was so because his father Ghulam Rabbani Khan of Mansehra was a great friend of my grandfather, K B Mohammad Kuli Khan.
The first time I met Lt Col Mumtaz was at Khem Karan soon after the ceasefire of the 1965 war; My Paltan, 12 Baloch (Sarbakaf) had fought the war in the Hussainiwala sector, a little south of Khem Karan. As an intelligence officer I had accompanied my commanding officer on his visit to the 5 FF battle locations. I was mightily impressed with the composure and serenity of Lt Col Mumtaz; he certainly showed no ill-effects of the recent trauma his battalion had undergone. The last days of the war had been particularly hard on the 5 FF, because as the ceasefire drew closer, the Indian Army became more and more desperate to regain some lost prestige by ousting the Pakistan Army from the Khem Karan Salient. The Indian attacks were preceded with particularly heavy shelling (whose rumble we could hear in Hussainiwala) and were driven with great ferocity; fortunately these desperate efforts were thwarted by the dour defence put up by the 5 FF under the command of Lt Col Mumtaz and the 2 FF led by Lt Col Fateh Khan. For his indomitable leadership in the most critical of times Lt Col Mumtaz was awarded a richly deserved Sitara-e Jurat.
In the 1971 war, Brigadier Mumtaz was commanding the 106 Brigade which captured the Hussainiwala Salient; for his intrepid leadership he was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat. It is very rare that an officer receives both the HJ and the SJ and Brig Mumtaz is one of them. Since I had personally participated in an infantry battalion attack in this very sector in the 1965 War, I know from first hand, how difficult and arduous this mission must have been. Full marks to Brig Mumtaz and his brave soldiers to have accomplished this task so successfully.
Major-general Mumtaz, popularly known as ‘Mummy’, soldiered on happily till April 1976 when he finally retired. Till his dying day in 2008, he remained a hugely respected, and most popular figure Rest in peace brave soldier.
Brig Muhammad Hayat, SJ: Popularly known as Brig ‘Makhmad’ Hayat, he was another of the brave souls who departed for his final abode in this calendar year. He was as brave as any of the other soldiers I have or will mention here, yet, since I did not have close personal contact with him I am slightly handicapped to write from personal knowledge. I could have collected information from others because he was a very popular and respected figure but that would have been second hand information which even Brigadier Hayat would not have approved.
The first time I heard of Brig Hayat was after the 1965 War, when he was commanding the famous 4 FF in the Sialkot sector. It was army lore in those days that he and his battalion stood like a rock in the face of the Indian main effort and sent them reeling back with the help of Almighty Allah and his brave comrades. For his intrepid and cool leadership and his role as the CO 4 FF, which being part of 14 Para Brigade had thwarted the Indian armour attack with heavy casualties, he was awarded a richly deserved Sitara-e-Jurat. Brig Hayat was one of those brave, simple, modest and yet super-confident personalities who with his ‘gravel-like’ voice and mere presence could inspire his comrades to great deeds of bravery.
In 1971, Brig Hayat was Commander 107 Brigade (Jessore) in what was the erstwhile East Pakistan. He did exceptionally well in those difficult days and terrain, but like so many others his exploits went unsung because of the ignominy of surrender. A dignified and honourable man he retired from the army towards the end of 1974. Brig Hayat was a simple, brave and popular figure who passed in 2008 and is mourned by a large circle of friends and admirers. Rest in peace brave soldier.
(To be concluded)
The writer is a former chief of general staff, commander of the X corps and director-general of military intelligence of the Pakistan army. Email: genali_ kulikhan@yahoo.com
Similarly, since most of the personalities mentioned in this paper passed away in 2008, it will be a befitting tribute if, I am able to pay homage before this calendar year closes. Accordingly, since my main purpose is to inspire future generations with tales of brave army lions, I will also be referring to some lions who are mercifully very much alive and others who may have been martyred earlier. If by this effort I am able to inspire even a few of Pakistan’s future soldiers, I would be more than satisfied; it also goes without saying, that in these difficult times, even a little boost to the national morale will be worthwhile.
Allow me also to clarify from the outset, that these are, not the only brave lions meriting mention; this is merely a list of people whom I knew personally. Inevitably, there will be others worthy of mention. It will be a great service, if someone else also highlights deeds of Pakistanis whose lives can serve as beacons in these troubled times.
Brig Abdul Shakur Jan, SJ, SI(M): I first met Capt Shakur Jan in 1961 when I joined the PMA, where he was one of the platoon commanders; for the sake of those not familiar with life at the military academy, allow me to emphasise, that platoon commanders, arguably, exercise the greatest influence in moulding the characters and personalities of cadets. ‘Shakura’ as he was fondly known, was not my direct platoon commander, yet, he and a small band of SSG officers, like captains Syed and Sikander had a larger than life sphere of influence. Despite the fact that Capt Shakur Jan had no direct responsibility towards me, yet, at the time of my ‘prelim boxing bout’ with Shabbir Sharif (who was destined to become Pakistan’s most highly decorated hero) he went the proverbial extra mile to send me a message through my schoolmate, Badruddin (who also became a recipient of the coveted Sword Of Honour) that “no matter what happens in the bout I must conduct myself gracefully”. Was he conveying the well-known and oft-repeated dictum, “It is not important what happens to you, but what is important, is how you behave while it is happening to you”; an important lesson most effectively conveyed don’t you think? ! This is one example which illustrates how Brig Shakur Jan influenced lives of those with whom he came in contact; I am certain, there must be numerous other cases in which he had a positive impact on the lives of people.
Another aspect which held him in high esteem with cadets was the perception that he had seen action. I do not think his cadets knew any details of this romantic notion, yet his credibility was so high that we all believed it; whatever the truth, in his subsequent career he more than substantiated this perception!
During the Rann of Kutch emergency in April 1965, Maj Shakur Jan got his first opportunity for direct confrontation with the Indian Army. He more than lived up to his promise when as a Company Commander of the 15 FF, he carried out audacious day and night patrolling and like a true commander led his company in a successful attack on Biar Bet near Jattrai. For his gallantry in action, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat.
In 1971, Lt Col Shakur Jan experienced combat in what was East Pakistan; while he was there commanding the 1 Commando Battalion, I was also there flying MI-8 helicopters for army aviation. These were bad remorseful days because even though the Indians were heavily involved, it was essentially a civil war, which to say the least, is distasteful to professional soldiers. Irrespective of what I have just written, these also were times in which both the SSG and Army Aviation combined most admirably, to write what were, probably, the most glorious chapters in their respective histories. This was so because the terrain was ideally suited for heliborne operations and required men of vision and daring; people like Col Shakur Jan who could inspire soldiers and take them to unimaginable heights. Throughout 1971, countless missions were planned and executed to perfection because of fearless planning and execution by both the SSG and army aviation. Unfortunately, because of the final ignominy of surrender all the good work of heroes like Col Shakur Jan and other gallant soldiers was sadly forgotten or scrubbed. Brig Shakur Jan, in line with the rest of his career, soldiered on bravely till May 1983 when he finally hung up his boots. Like all mortals, he passed away in 2008. Adieu brave friend and teacher.
Maj Gen Mohammad Mumtaz Khan, HJ, SJ: I had known General Mumtaz a long time before I had the honour to meet him. This was so because his father Ghulam Rabbani Khan of Mansehra was a great friend of my grandfather, K B Mohammad Kuli Khan.
The first time I met Lt Col Mumtaz was at Khem Karan soon after the ceasefire of the 1965 war; My Paltan, 12 Baloch (Sarbakaf) had fought the war in the Hussainiwala sector, a little south of Khem Karan. As an intelligence officer I had accompanied my commanding officer on his visit to the 5 FF battle locations. I was mightily impressed with the composure and serenity of Lt Col Mumtaz; he certainly showed no ill-effects of the recent trauma his battalion had undergone. The last days of the war had been particularly hard on the 5 FF, because as the ceasefire drew closer, the Indian Army became more and more desperate to regain some lost prestige by ousting the Pakistan Army from the Khem Karan Salient. The Indian attacks were preceded with particularly heavy shelling (whose rumble we could hear in Hussainiwala) and were driven with great ferocity; fortunately these desperate efforts were thwarted by the dour defence put up by the 5 FF under the command of Lt Col Mumtaz and the 2 FF led by Lt Col Fateh Khan. For his indomitable leadership in the most critical of times Lt Col Mumtaz was awarded a richly deserved Sitara-e Jurat.
In the 1971 war, Brigadier Mumtaz was commanding the 106 Brigade which captured the Hussainiwala Salient; for his intrepid leadership he was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurat. It is very rare that an officer receives both the HJ and the SJ and Brig Mumtaz is one of them. Since I had personally participated in an infantry battalion attack in this very sector in the 1965 War, I know from first hand, how difficult and arduous this mission must have been. Full marks to Brig Mumtaz and his brave soldiers to have accomplished this task so successfully.
Major-general Mumtaz, popularly known as ‘Mummy’, soldiered on happily till April 1976 when he finally retired. Till his dying day in 2008, he remained a hugely respected, and most popular figure Rest in peace brave soldier.
Brig Muhammad Hayat, SJ: Popularly known as Brig ‘Makhmad’ Hayat, he was another of the brave souls who departed for his final abode in this calendar year. He was as brave as any of the other soldiers I have or will mention here, yet, since I did not have close personal contact with him I am slightly handicapped to write from personal knowledge. I could have collected information from others because he was a very popular and respected figure but that would have been second hand information which even Brigadier Hayat would not have approved.
The first time I heard of Brig Hayat was after the 1965 War, when he was commanding the famous 4 FF in the Sialkot sector. It was army lore in those days that he and his battalion stood like a rock in the face of the Indian main effort and sent them reeling back with the help of Almighty Allah and his brave comrades. For his intrepid and cool leadership and his role as the CO 4 FF, which being part of 14 Para Brigade had thwarted the Indian armour attack with heavy casualties, he was awarded a richly deserved Sitara-e-Jurat. Brig Hayat was one of those brave, simple, modest and yet super-confident personalities who with his ‘gravel-like’ voice and mere presence could inspire his comrades to great deeds of bravery.
In 1971, Brig Hayat was Commander 107 Brigade (Jessore) in what was the erstwhile East Pakistan. He did exceptionally well in those difficult days and terrain, but like so many others his exploits went unsung because of the ignominy of surrender. A dignified and honourable man he retired from the army towards the end of 1974. Brig Hayat was a simple, brave and popular figure who passed in 2008 and is mourned by a large circle of friends and admirers. Rest in peace brave soldier.
(To be concluded)
The writer is a former chief of general staff, commander of the X corps and director-general of military intelligence of the Pakistan army. Email: genali_ kulikhan@yahoo.com
