legends : Maj. Muhammad Akram
* In light of Defence Day, Daily Times is highlighting the brave and legendary individuals who died fighting for a better Pakistan. Today, we profile the brave and strong-willed major, the Nishan-e-Haider recipient, Muhammad Akram
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was direct military confrontation between India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War that year. Numerous brave Pakistani Army men sacrificed their lives in fighting to secure Pakistan in a battle, which is known to be one of the shortest wars in history.
One of the many valiant soldiers who lost their lives in this war, was Major Muhammad Akram.
Born in Gujarat, Muhammad Akram served the Pakistan Army for 15 years, some of the major wars being the Indo-Pak war of 1965 where he participated as a captain and then the 1971 war with the rank of major. He belonged to the famous family of east Punjab called Qazi.
Showing a keen interest to be part of the Pakistani Armed Forces from a very early age, Akram was accepted by the Pakistan Military Academy and eventually graduated in 1963. He gained a commission that same year as part of the 4th Frontier Force Regiment. Akram participated in 1965 Indo-Pak September War as a captain where he led several successful military operations against the Indian Army. While stationed in Lahore, he commanded a small company, which led several decisive operations against the Indian armed forces.
In 1969, Akram was promoted to major of the Pakistan Army. In 1971, he fought in the war against India. In the Battle of Hilli, his leadership, bravery and skillful strategising kept enemies at bay for five days and nights, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice of his death. During the course of the war, Indian and Pakistani forces clashed on the eastern and western fronts.
Major Akram was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider (Mark of the Lion), Pakistan's highest military honour, for his heroic efforts. The Nishan-e-Haider can only be awarded to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces for the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in face of the enemy in air, land or sea. So far, only 11 martyred soldiers have been bestowed with this honour in the history of the country.
It is said, "God gives his hardest battles to his bravest soldiers." Akram knew of the dangers to his life, yet stayed adamant of fighting the enemy and busting them off Pakistani soil as much as he could do.
During the east Pakistan War of 1971, the 4th FF Regiment, which at that time was commanded by then Colonel Muhammad Mumtaz Malik, was placed in the forward area of the Hilli Municipality, in what was then East Pakistan. The regiment came under continuous and heavy air, artillery and armour attacks from the Indian army. Despite enemy superiority in both numbers and firepower, Akram and his men repulsed many attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Called the hero of Hilli, he was buried in the village of Boaldar, Thana/Upozila-Hakimpur, District-Dinajpur. There is a monument, Major Akram Shaheed Memorial, in the midst of Jhelum city. Anjum Sultan Shahbaz, the famous writer and historian, has referred to Akram in his books Tareekh-e-Jhelum and Shohdai Jhelum. He was only 33 at the time of his death.
Major Muhammad Akram's sacrifice will be remembered for as long as the world exists, for indeed it was owing to his valour and bravery that Pakistan stayed intact and in safe hands to nurture and host future generations.
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