Rich tribute has been paid to the 1971 war hero Major Akram Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on his 49th martyrdom anniversary, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

https://www.facebook.com/1545150422365407/videos/218609556307584/?__so__=channel_tab&__rv__=all_videos_card

Shared with the hashtag of Our Martyrs Our Heroes, the Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) posted a message on Twitter to pay tribute to Major Akram Shaheed over his supreme sacrifice.

https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1334935848257773569

Displaying valour against all odds, Major Akram heroically repulsed innumerable attacks by enemy inflicting heavy losses in the battle of Hilli. Such exemplary courage is the hallmark of defenders of the motherland.

Born on April 4, 1938, in Gujrat, Major Akram had initially joined Pakistan Army as a non-commissioned officer and later was promoted as 2nd Lt in Frontier Force Regiment. He participated in the 1965 Indo-Pak September War as a captain where he led several successful military operations against the Indian army.

MAJOR MUHAMMAD AKRAM SHAHEED

(4 April 1938 – 5 December 1971)

1.            Civil Life

a.            Early Life.             Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was born on April 4, 1938 in a small village named Dinga, very close to Kharian Cantonment.

b.            Education.           Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed got his early education from Chakri Middle School and the joined Military College Jhelum (MCJ). While at MCJ, he was known for his skills in playing hockey and boxing skills.

2.            Military Career / Action in War

a.            Military Career

(1)          In March 1961 for the 28 PMA Long Course. He passed out in October 1963.

(2)          While at PMA, he led the PMA hockey team and won the inter-Academy trophy beating PAF and Naval Academy teams. He was also awarded with the PMA Colour in hockey. He also excelled professionally by being the best firer in his course, thus winning the Best Firer‘s Trophy.

(3)          On his commissioning, he joined the Frontier Force (FF) Regiment and joined a very well-known Infantry Battalion, the 4th Frontier Force Regiment (4 FF) on October 13, 1963. All through his service, he had a good service record, and was promoted as Major in September 1970 after attending the Military Intelligence Course.

b.            Action at War

(1)          For the whole fortnight the forward company of the 4th Frontier Force regiment commanded by Major Akram was under intense and mounting enemy pressure. The attacks were concentrated on the Hilli Position – a key point in the Indian plan for a breakthrough into East Pakistan. The objective was to cut an important rail link and deprive Pakistani troops in the northern region of reinforcement and supplies.

(2)          Major Akram coy was subject to innumerable en attack supported by Corps artillery and armour. The en also made full use of his air power

(3)          On one occasion the en launched brigade attack supported by a squadron of tanks. The attack was beaten back and the enemy suffered heavy causalities

(4)          The enemy again tried to capture the railway line, but our troops led by Major Akram failed en attempt and inflicted considerable damage to enemy

(5)          Undeterred by the over-whelming and all-round enemy superiority, Pakistani troops under the command of Major Akram held the ground and repulsed wave after wave of enemy attack

(6)          Major Akram (Shaheed) not only displayed ability to command his troops, but also displayed an unmatched aptitude for tactical planning under fire and in the face of over whelming odds

(7)          The officer who made the supreme sacrifice for the defence and territorial integrity of Pakistan added a glorious chapter in the annals of heroism and devotion to duty and was awarded “NISHAN-E-HAIDER”.