Shabbir Sharif

Major
Shabbir Sharif
Nishan-e-Haider
Native name Shabbir Sharif[1]
Born 28 April 1943
Kunjah, Gujrat District, British Raj
Died 6 December 1971(1971-12-06) (aged 28)
Okara District, Punjab, Pakistan
Allegiance  Pakistan
Service/branch  Pakistan Army
Years of service 1964–1971
Rank Major
Unit

6 Frontier Force Regiment

4 Frontier Force Regiment
Battles/wars Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards Nishan-e-Haider
Sitara-i-Jur'at
Sword of Honour
Relations General Rana Raheel Shareef (brother)
Raja Aziz Bhatti (uncle)

Shabbir Sharif (28 April 1943 – 6 December 1971) was a Pakistani Army officer who was killed in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and was awarded Nishan-e-Haider for his actions.[1][2] He is the only person ever who received both the Nishan-e-Haider and Sitara-e-Jurat for his bravery.[3][4] He is regarded as the most decorated officer of the Pakistan Army.[5]

Early life and education

Sharif was born on 28 April 1943 in a Rajput family[1][2][6] at Kunjah, Gujrat District to Major Rana Muhammad Sharif.[7] He attended St. Anthony's High School, Lahore. While at Government College Lahore, he received a call to join Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul.

He used to play squash and won an Army level swimming medal while he was in 4th Frontier Force Regiment.

Military career

He was commissioned in Pakistan Army on 19 April nd after successfully completing his training, after which he was awarded the Sword of Honor, he was posted to the 6th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.[5]

Death

In the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Pakistan Army launched an offensive on the Western front against the enemy. Sharif, as commander of a company of 6 Frontier Force Regiment, was ordered to capture high ground overlooking Grumukhi Khera and Beri, a village in the Sulemanki Sector.

On 3 December 1971, in a well-organised action, he fought alongside his men and held Indian attacks at bay. He cleared the Jhangar post by passing through the minefield laid by enemy and swimming across a water obstacle, the 'Sabuna distributary', whilst under intense enemy fire and led his company to capture the objective. During the day, his troops repelled over 15 Indian attempts to recapture the high ground. He and his men destroyed four enemy tanks and held two Indian battalions at bay by killing 43 soldiers.[5]

During an attack on the night of 5 December, he jumped out of his trench on the call of an Indian Company Commander who dared him for a hand-to-hand combat. He soon snatched the sten gun out of the Indian major's hand and mortally wounded him. The act demoralized the Indian troops allowing his men to consolidate their hard earned gains in the captured area.[8]

On the afternoon of 6 December, the enemy launched another counterattack preceded by air strikes and heavy artillery shelling. After casualties amongst the crew, he took over as a gunner on an anti-tank gun and started firing on the enemy tanks. While this fight was on, one of the enemy tanks fired at him thus killing him. His last words were quoted as: “Don’t lose the bridge.” It was the same bridge he died defending from the enemy’s attack.[5][9]

Family

His younger brother, General Raheel Sharif was the Chief of Army Staff (November 2013 - November 2016), the highest rank in the Pakistan Army.[4] He is also the relative of another Nishan-e-Haider holder, Raja Aziz Bhatti.[6]

An Indian Malayalam film, 1971: Beyond Borders,[10] was inspired by the story of Rana Shabbir Sharif.

Awards and decorations

Nishan-e-Haider Award Recipient
Shabbir Sharif received the Nishan-e-Haider Award.[5]
Date 1971
Country Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Presented by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

Other awards he won are:

References

  1. 1 2 3 "From Sharif to Sharif". nawaiwaqt.com.pk (in Urdu). 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Legends:Maj. Shabbir Sharif". dailytimes.com.pk. 19 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Samaa TV Shabbir Sharif Rana
  4. 1 2 "Sharif Tribute to Major Shabbir Sharif". The Nation. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Army's 'superman' remembered". The Nation. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Luck plays role in Gen Sharif's promotion". The News. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "Lahore remembers heroes of 1965".
  8. ↑ Raashid Wali Janjua, (Ret.) Brigadier. "Ammi Jee remembers: Shabbir Sharif died as he lived". Daily Times (Pakistan) (6 September 2013). Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  9. ↑ Afzal, Brig (Retd) Farooq. "TOGETHER WE FOUGHT".
  10. ↑ "1971 Beyond Borders movie review: This Mohanlal film is ill-conceived, powerless".
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