President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid rich tribute to Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed on his 67th martyrdom anniversary. In their separate messages, they said entire nation salutes the sacrifice and bravery of Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed. President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan is secure today due to the sacrifices of these great heroes. He said nation will always remember the sacrifices of martyrs.

Prime Minister said Pakistan is proud of its brave armed forces who are courageously confronting the enemy on every front. Major Tufail Muhammad was born in 1914 at Hoshiarpur (now part of Indian Punjab). He got his commission in 1943 and joined the Punjab Regiment. At the time of partition, he opted to come to Pakistan, and thereafter he joined Pakistan Army, and got his first posting to 1/16 Punjab Regiment (later re-designated as 13 Punjab).

During his professionally exceptional career, he served on several instructional and command appointments.In 1958, Major Tufail Muhammed was posted to East Pakistan as a company commander in a border militia battalion of East Pakistan Rifles (EPR). During his tenure of duty, the Indian troops infiltrated into Pakistani territory through the Pathoria Forest and captured a village in the area of Lakshmipur on the Pakistani side of the border. He was assigned to launch an offensive against Indian forces in the area of Lakshmipur.

Major Tufail Muhammad faced heavy resistance from enemy but carried on with his mission and embraced martyrdom on this day in 1958. He was awarded Pakistan's highest military award Nishan-e-Haider for his courage and bravery.The Armed Forces of Pakistan, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), and the Services Chiefs paid a solemn and heartfelt tribute to Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed, recipient of the prestigious Nishan-e-Haider, on the occasion of his 67th martyrdom anniversary.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)