Army pays tribute to Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz on 52nd martyrdom anniversary

The Pakistan Army, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), and services chiefs paid tribute to Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, on his 52nd martyrdom anniversary, the military said in a statement.

During the Indo-Pak war of 1971, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz exhibited extraordinary bravery, silencing enemy guns without fear. Despite injuries, he leapt forward and successfully subdued an Indian machine gunner, ultimately eliminating the threat.

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“The courageous actions of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed on the battlefield is an example to be emulated by all defenders of the motherland,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

It said that these shining stars of Pakistan who laid down their lives for the security of the country undoubtedly deserve honour and respect.

"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 statement concluded.

A tale of heroism

Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz was born on October 15, 1944, in Pind Malakan, a villiage in Rawalpindi. He was enrolled in the Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962. After training, he joined the 15th Punjab Regiment.

During the 1971 war, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz was part of the Pul Kanjry operation in the Wahga-Attari sector.

On the night of December 17, while capturing the objective, his company was halted at about 70 metres short of Indian positions.

His machine gun was destroyed due to enemy shelling so he took another machine gun from a martyred soldier and effectively engaged an Indian machine gunner who was inflicting heavy causalities on his company.

In the process, Muhammad Mehfooz was critically injured and his machine gun was destroyed. Unruffled by his wounds, he leapt forward and strangulated the enemy to death.

In the meantime, he was bayonetted to martyrdom by another enemy soldier from the same bunker.

The next morning, a ceasefire was ordered and the enemy commander himself praised the martyr while handing over his body.

Acknowledging his chivalry, then-Indian commander Lieutenant Colonel Puri said, “during my entire service, I have never seen such a courageous being. Had he been in my force, I would have recommended him for the highest gallantry award.”