Bravest of the brave: Remembering Major Shabbir Sharif on his 45th martyrdom anniversary
Major Shabbir Sharif was posthumously awarded with Nishan-e-Haider on his valour
Today marks the martyrdom anniversary of one of the gallant soldiers to have ever lived on this soil. Major Shabbir Sharif was truly an awe-inspiring character who laid down his life to safeguard the sacred homeland. It has been 45 years since the valiant combatant offered the greatest sacrifice being remembered till date with golden words. The heroic history of Major Shabbir Sharif as a lion-hearted soldier is undoubtedly the most ornamented feather in Pak Army’s cap.
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Not only his sacrifice, but his whole life narrative is an inspirational chronicle for everyone who believes in self-belief, stout-heartedness and fearlessness to put everything at stake for a cause.
Early Life
Born in Kunjah, Gujrat on April 28, 1943 to Major (r) Muhammad Sharif, Shabbir Sharif completed his O Levels from St. Anthony s High School. While pursuing his studies at Government College Lahore, Major Shabbir Sharif received a call of duty for the safeguard his motherland from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul.
Sharif’s days at PMA are worth-mentioning as he was awarded the prestigious ‘Sword of Honor’ upon his passing out from the academy. Later on, he was commissioned in Pakistan Army on April 19, 1964 and posted to the historic 6th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.
1965 Indo-Pak War
Many of us are not aware of Shabbir Sharif’s heroics during the 1965 Indo-Pak war as a young Lieutenant where he headed many successful assaults upon Indian forces. Despite getting injured and being admitted in the Military Hospital, the braveheart escaped in order to rejoin his unit. When bravery is at its best, appreciations and awards are always there on the cards and that was the reason Shabbir Sharif was later awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat for his dauntlessness.
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1971 Indo-Pak War
However, an extraordinary display of heroism was witnessed during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, when Major Shabbir Sharif was commanding commanding two companies of 6thFrontier Force in Sulemanki Sector. The Indian forces in order to get an aerial advantage had created an artificial ridge towards Pakistani side. In this kinds of situation, the only way to get inside the Indian territory was to gain control of two enemy points i.e., the Saboona Ridge and Gurmakhera Bridge that were under the control of Indian Forces.
It was on 3rd December 1971 when Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed launched an assault for taking control of Gurmakhera Bridge. However, it was not a child’s play as Shabbir alongside his his men had to face the scary landmines along the way. To the opponent s surprise, the lion-like bravery and leadership of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed was the reason his battalion advanced forward fearlessly.
The lion-hearted diehards under the leadership of Major Shabbir, gallantly fought against the bursts of Indian bullets and destroyed the enemy’s bunkers with hand grenades. Through a half an hour impressive strategy, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed and his squad cleared all Indian bunkers and took control of Saboona Ridge.
While seeing the game going out of their hands, the Indian Brigade Commander directed a company of Indian Soldiers backed by a squadron of tanks to occupy. However, to their surprise out of 14 tanks 4 tanks were destroyed by Pakistani forces within the first 5 minutes resulting in the repulsion of the rest. The result of tank assault going waste scare the hell out of the Indian army as they launched another attack for capturing both ridge and bridge, however this time again the result was the same.
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Completely puzzled and utterly panicked, the Indian soldiers launched a massive assault on the company of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed with 800 men. Something really out of this world was witnessed when one of their general challenged Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed for hand to hand fight in which the great Pakistani fell victorious. Something really out of this world was witnessed when Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed was challenged by his counterpart Major Naryan Singh of 4 Jat in a hand-to-hand fight. The result likewise was also worth-watching as Major Shabbir Sharif was being able to finish his opponent despite his right shoulder getting badly burnt.
On 6th of December 1971, the Indian forces launched an assault again with heavy shelling. Major Shabbir Sharif alongside some other soldiers were badly wounded by one the shell that fall near them and the brave soldier embraced martyrdom few seconds later after falling on ground. The courage and devotion to the cause was evident with his last words: “don’t lose the bridge’. His golden words were highly acted upon by his subordinates as they fought with more bravery and managed to defend bridge.
Highest Military Award
Major Shabbir Sharif was posthumously awarded with Nishan-e-Haider. It is pertinent to mention that his maternal uncle Major Aziz Bhatti was also awarded the highest military award for his bravery in 1965 Indo-Pak war.
Major Shabbir Sharif was laid to rest in Lahore’s historic Miani Sahab graveyard, Lahore.
On his 45th martyrdom anniversary, homage was paid to the gallant soldier of this soil from all sides. His brother and former Army Chief General Raheel Sharif laid floral wreath on his grave on the occasion as army contingents paying their respects to the bravest of braves!
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