Armed forces pay tribute to 'Lion of Kargil' on 24th martyrdom anniversary

The Armed Forces of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), and the services chiefs paid a glowing tribute on the 24th martyrdom anniversary of Nishan-e-Haider Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, whose legacy continues to breathe life into the nation’s soul to this day.

More than two decades have passed since Capt Karnal Sher Khan laid down his life in the service of his country in the icy, inhospitable peaks in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

While many lone survivors faced the dilemma of keeping the fighting on, the ‘Lion of Kargil’ dashed alone into the Indian camp, killing several Indian soldiers before embracing martyrdom.

When his body was being returned to Pakistan, even the Indians talked of his valour—of how the young officer on a 'mission impossible' did the honourable thing: fight to the very end. Pakistan awarded its son of soil the Nishan-i-Haider.

Read more Remembering the ‘Lion of Kargil'

“His stellar leadership and courage beckons us to defend Pakistan at all cost,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press statement on Wednesday.

The Kargil war hero “wrote history with his blood displaying utmost valour, commitment and unwavering allegiance to defend the country against all odds", it said

Capt Karnal Sher Khan’s martyrdom anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the Armed Forces of Pakistan to defend the motherland, it added.

“Let us remember these heroes who have laid down their lives in defence of our motherland. The nation is proud of its gallant sons,” the ISPR said.