Nation pays homage to Kargil War hero Havaldar Lalak Jan

The 22nd martyrdom anniversary of Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider is being observed across the country.

"Nation pays homage 2 Havaldar Lalak Jan; NH [Nishan-e-Haider], who laid his life defending [the] motherland against hy [heavy] odds in most challenging battlefield environment during Kargil conflict on 7 July 99," DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar wrote on his official Twitter handle.

He said that the fortitude and selflessness of Lalak Jan will keep inspiring the indomitable defenders of Pakistan for times to come.

'Most gallant defensive action'

In May 1999, while the enemy was preparing for a major offensive, Havaldar Lalak Jan was serving in Company Headquarters. He volunteered to fight on the frontline.

Read more: Nation observes 22nd anniversary of Kargil War hero Capt Karnal Sher Khan

Jan valiantly defended his post with a handful of men and repulsed numerous Indian attacks leaving behind scores of dead bodies. On 7 July, the enemy constantly engaged his post for the entire day with unprecedented firepower. It was followed by a three-pronged night attack.

Despite being critically injured, he refused to be evacuated and successfully repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Later, Havaldar Jan succumbed to injuries and embraced Shahadat while defending the motherland.

Several Indian accounts maintain, “It had been the most gallant defensive action fought to the last man.”