Rashid Minhas: A hero Pakistan lost 44 years ago today

ISLAMABAD: The 44th death anniversary of Pakistan's national hero, Rashid Minhas, was marked on Thursday with tributes paid to him for his services rendered across the country.

Minhas remains the youngest officer to receive the Nishan-e-Haider award from Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He showed an interest in aviation from a young age and completed his education in Karachi prior to joining the Air Force.

Minhas joined the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur as a flying cadet at the age of 17 and graduated from the academy as a general duty pilot in 1971.

Read: An award for valour: Nishan-e-Haider demanded for principal, teachers of APS

He was later posted to the PAF base in Masroor to train to become a fighter pilot where he completed his training.

On August 20, after receiving clearance for take-off from air traffic control, Matiur Rehman signalled the young officer's T-33 jet to a halt after which Minhas was martyred.

His family hailed from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and was awarded the highest gallantry award, the Nishan-e-Haider.