Sacrifice -we’ve read the word, we know the dictionary meaning, and a lot of us even believe we’ve made it. We have all heard our very many politicians tell us that they’ve sacrificed their entire lives in the name of public service (let’s not even go there!). So while many people in our country can claim to be selfless, it’s the jawans and officers of our armed forces who truly deserve that label. These are the people who believe that dying for one’s country isn’t a sacrifice; it’s actually a privilege. And then there is the family they leave behind ... the wives, mothers, fathers, siblings, children - the people who, instead of wallowing in their grief, celebrate the life of this loved one.
Sacrifice -we’ve read the word, we know the dictionary meaning, and a lot of us even believe we’ve made it. We have all heard our very many politicians tell us that they’ve sacrificed their entire lives in the name of public service (let’s not even go there!). So while many people in our country can claim to be selfless, it’s the jawans and officers of our armed forces who truly deserve that label. These are the people who believe that dying for one’s country isn’t a sacrifice; it’s actually a privilege. And then there is the family they leave behind ... the wives, mothers, fathers, siblings, children - the people who, instead of wallowing in their grief, celebrate the life of this loved one. And while their tears do carry the profound grief that they must forever feel, they are also mingled with intense pride!
One such man this nation is proud of - and grateful to is Captain Wasim uddin Razi (yes is; shaheeds live forever, and that is our firm belief.) Born in Karachi in 1987, he joined Pakistan Army after doing Intermediate. He saw active service in many places, but it was in Swat that he decided to become a commando.
His Company was trapped in the mountains of Swat. Three Special Services Group (SSG) commandos who were air dropped there rescued Captain Wasim’s Company. It was a defining moment for this young hero, who applied to become a commando. On 25 April 2013, he fought the last battle of his life in defence of his country and embraced shahadat.
Us brings to you the remembrances of the life of shaheed Captain Wasimuddin, by his mother herself who talks about a normal, seemingly ordinary child who grew up to be extraordinary.
It must have been an emotional roller-coaster for Captain Wasim’s mother ... her voice breaking up one moment and filling with pride the next instant - this lady is a true example of what a patriot is, and the types of mothers who bring up sons like Captain Wasim uddin. We are proud of Captain Wasim’s mother, and the parents of all the shuhadas and ghazis.
“While he was growing up, I did not realize that he was different from other children. He was an average student; sometimes he got A grades and sometimes not. But, right from the beginning, he was army mad. Maybe it was because many of my family members, including my brother and cousins, were in Army and Air Force. In retrospect, when I remember certain things, I understand how different he was from my other children and kids his age.
“I had heard about the partition and the resultant bloodbath from my parents. The War of 1971 impacted me deeply. I love my country and its armed forces and I guess I transferred my passion onto Wasim. At that time, all girls were like that; they told their children stories of the shaheeds and the ghazis.
“Once, Wasim burnt his hand. At that time I was tending to my younger son. I heard his cry and went to him. When I saw him, I suddenly felt light-headed! I was unable to see anything for a few moments. Wasim realized at once that I was distraught; he said, “Kuch nai hua. Mein theek houn.” (Nothing is wrong. I am fine.) He was only three-years-old and that time, but what sabr he had! His hand was badly burnt and skin peeled off of it, but he saw I was upset and gave me courage.
“As a child he used to be crazy about guns. He would take a spoon and brandished it like a gun, or start crawling on his belly imitating some soldier he might have seen on TV.
Once I bought an army jacket for Wasim. He and his younger brother, Waqar, fought over it. All my children wanted to join the armed forces, but only Wasim made it.
“I cannot tell you how happy he was the day he cleared ISSB! I had never seen him so happy before. Wasim had applied to the engineering college after doing FSc, but by the time the lists of the successful candidates came out, Waseem had already joined army.
“I was a strict mother. I believe in discipline and so all my children are well-disciplined, so Wasim had no problems moulding himself according to the demands of the army life. Still, I noticed a great change in him; he became so self-assured and even more disciplined. And, his training inculcated the love of Islam in him. You see, we are all practicing Muslims, but Wasim became very religious.
“Wasim never used to tell me about his missions, so I did not know he had participated in the Swat operation. He had done something heroic there! When he came back and told me where he had been, I felt scared. I asked him if he thought fighting against Muslims, and our countrymen, was all right. I still remember what he said. “Ami, before I went there, I, too, had some apprehensions. But having seen what those people were doing there, I am cent percent sure about our mission; it is necessary. Muslims do not indulge in the atrocities these people had perpetrated on the local populace there.”
“Like any mother, I was so proud of his accomplishments! I wanted to tell everyone about his achievements, but he told me not to, because he did not believe in ‘showbazi’ He was a modest person.
“The Swat operation was a turning point for him. When he returned, he told me that he wanted to join the SSG. Maybe he came across SSG commandoes there, I don’t know. When he was accepted for commando training, he was ecstatic with joy. It was the first time I saw my son, who was so shy and modest, actually laughed with joy! He had found his true calling. 
“Allah SWT has given him a great rutba. He told me not to cry if something happened. He was so shy! I wanted him married and asked him to find a girl himself, but he refused and said that he would go by my choice. He was a loving son and an affectionate brother to his siblings. We all miss him and are very proud of him.”
In two days’ time, the nation will be observing the 50th anniversary of the War of 1965 when our heroes defied the mighty Indian army and saved our homeland. It is heartening to know that their legacy is still alive in the hearts of our brave soldiers and officers today. There are many other unsung heroes like Captain Wasim uddin Razi Shaheed, and we salute them all.
Long live Pakistan!
-LK
