23rd martyrdom anniversary of Captain Sher Khan observed

RAWALPINDI: The 23rd martyrdom anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, was observed at his native town Swabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday

Major General Adil Yamin, Inspector-General Frontier Constabulary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, laid a floral wreath at Shaheed’s mausoleum. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour. Various people from different walks of life, civil and military officials and relatives of Shaheed attended the wreath-laying ceremony.

In their separate messages, the president and the prime minister said the sacrifice of the national hero, also the recipient of the highest gallantry award Nishan-e-Haider, would always be remembered.

President Alvi said the nation was indebted to the immense sacrifices rendered by the martyred soldiers for the sovereignty of their motherland. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tributes to Captain Karnal Sher Khan: “The nation pays rich tributes to Kargil war hero Captain Karnal Sher Khan (Nishan-e-Haider) on his 23rd martyrdom anniversary.” He said the mountains of Kargil may not have seen such an act of valour when he led his troops to clear a vital position as the enemy bullets rained.

Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed offered his services while posting at Line of Control (LoC) in January 1999. He was posted in 12 NLI and as Platoon Commander. The martyred officer performed numerous services, defeating attacks of the enemy on the heights of Kargil. Accompanied by a few soldiers, he also inflicted heavy losses on the enemy’s troops.

On July 05, 1999, Captain Sher Khan and his 14 soldiers were assigned the mission to clear vital resistance posts of the enemy between Kashif and Wakeel. The martyred officer, with brief strength, surprised a much bigger enemy by launching a full-fledged attack during which he was hit by sniper fire and embraced martyrdom.