Latest news with #Nishan-e-Haider
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Asim Munir Honours Solider Whose Body Pak Refused To Accept After Kargil War
Islamabad: A Pakistani soldier, who was disowned by Islamabad during the 1999 Kargil War, is being celebrated as a national hero in the Islamic republic after 26 years, exposing Pakistan's hypocrisy. Pakistan army and its chief, Asim Munir, on Saturday paid "heartfelt tribute" to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed at his tomb in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on the occasion of his 26th "martyrdom" anniversary. Pakistan Army called Captain Khan a symbol of "unwavering courage" and "patriotism". Ironically, he was once denied a grave in his homeland after death, as Islamabad refused to claim his body found on Tiger Hill in the Dras sub-sector, despite clear evidence of his identity. India's Role In Pakistan's Recognition Of Captain Khan During the Kargil War, just like in 1947 and 1965, authorities in Islamabad refused to acknowledge the involvement of Pakistan army regulars in the misadventure and claimed the intruders were "mujahideen". As part of that process, Pakistan initially did not accept India's identification of Khan as an army official through correspondence found on him. But the Indian Army acknowledged and honoured Khan. Indian Army officer, Brigadier MPS Bajwa (now retired)-- who was then commanding the 192 Mountain Brigade tasked with capturing the strategically important Tiger Hill-- was impressed by the way Khan fought and wrote a citation for him and placed it in his pocket while handing over the body, which eventually led to his recognition. This act led to recognition of Khan's role in the war, with Pakistan honouring him with the Nishan-e-Haider, the country's highest military honour, posthumously. Pak Army's Tribute To Captain Khan On Saturday, the Pakistani Army marked the 26th death anniversary of Captain Khan with military honours at his tomb in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Field Marshal Munir, along with other senior military officials and Khan's family, paid tribute to him. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Armed Forces of Pakistan solemnly commemorate and pay heartfelt tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on… — DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 4, 2025 "During the Kargil conflict in 1999, Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, a symbol of unwavering courage and patriotism, sacrificed his life while defending the motherland with unparalleled valor. He remains an eternal source of inspiration for the Armed Forces and the nation," Pakistan's DG-ISPR posted on X while informing about Munir's visit to Khan's village. The post said that Khan's gallant actions in the face of overwhelming odds embody the finest traditions of the Pakistan Army. "Demonstrating outstanding leadership and extraordinary bravery, Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed led from the front and made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the country's sovereignty," it added. How India Returned Khan's Body To Pakistan Despite Pakistan's denial, India started the handover process of the dead bodies of soldiers through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on July 12, 1999. But Islamabad requested ICRC not to name the dead soldiers, including Captain Khan, though the details were known. According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Washington on July 15, 1999, Pakistan was fully aware of the identity of Khan's bodies, but they did not acknowledge this fact as "it would immediately expose their army's involvement in Kargil." "The Pakistani request did not specify the names and identities of the two officers, despite the information being available to them. The reason is obvious. The Pakistan authorities realised that if they conceded the identities of these two officers, it would demolish the myth that the Pakistan army was not involved in Kargil," the Embassy added.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Munir hails Pak Kargil War hero, but a letter from India revealed his bravery first
Baffling as it may seem, a Pakistani soldier who was refused a grave during the 1999 Kargil War is now being showered with glory in the Islamic Republic. Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, along with the entire military brass, on Saturday paid tribute to Kargil "hero" Captain Karnal Sher Khan on the 26th anniversary of his martyrdom. While Pakistan initially disowned Sher Khan and refused to take his body from Indian soil, it was an Indian Army officer whose letter, tucked in the Pakistani soldier's pocket, revealed his letter played a crucial role in Sher Khan being awarded the Nishan-e-Haider in 2000, MPS Bajwa, now retired, was leading Indian forces to retake Tiger Hill from Pakistani occupation during the Kargil War of 1999. He was so moved by the 29-year-old Khan's courage that he wrote a letter to the Pakistani government and placed it in the fallen soldier's pocket before his body was returned. The gesture by Brigadier Bajwa (retired) stands in stark contrast to Pakistan's initial refusal to claim Khan's body, in an apparent attempt to conceal its military involvement in the Kargil War, as noted in a 1999 Indian press the Kargil War, just like in 1947 and 1965, Pakistan initially denied its army's involvement, claiming, instead, that the intruders were "mujahideen".ASIM MUNIR LEADS TRIBUTES TO PAK KARGIL WAR MARTYROn Saturday, the Pakistani Army and the government marked the 26th martyrdom anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan with military honours at his tomb in Swabi, Khyber Marshal Munir, alongside senior military officials and Sher Khan's family, paid tribute to the Kargil war hero who was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider."During the Kargil conflict in 1999, Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, a symbol of unwavering courage and patriotism, sacrificed his life while defending the motherland with unparalleled valour. He remains an eternal source of inspiration for the Armed Forces and the nation," Pakistan's DG-ISPR posted on X on Munir's visit to Khan's BRIGADIER'S LETTER LED TO SHER KHAN RECOGNISED AS HERODuring the 1999 Kargil War, Karnal Sher Khan of the Pakistani Army served as a Captain with the 12th Northern Light Infantry. At 17,000 feet in Gultari, Khan was leading his unit when the Indian Army launched a fierce counterattack to take over Tiger Hill, a strategic Indian Army battalions, with machine guns and artillery support, launched a fierce assault to claim the strategic heights, to push back the intruders in what came to be one of the bloodiest battles of the Kargil Sher Khan's unit was heavily being fatally wounded in machine-gun fire during close combat, Khan lost his life on July bravery earned him the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military honour, INITIALLY REFUSED TO CLAIM SHER KHAN'S BODYAfter the Indian Army captured Tiger Hill, Captain Sher Khan's body was recovered and identified through documents he was carrying. But it wasn't until Indian Brigadier Bajwa acknowledged his bravery that Pakistan recognised him and posthumously awarded him the Nishan-e-Haider."Yes, Captain Karnal Sher Khan of 9 NLI (Pakistan) fought against my unit (8 SIKH) at Tiger Hill, but Pakistan refused to take his body. The appreciation of his bravery was written by me and paper inserted in his pocket. Subsequently he was given the highest gallantry award," Brigadier Bajwa (retired) wrote on X in in fact, had initially refused to accept his body, revealed an Indian press release from 1999."The callousness and inhumanity with which they [the Pakistani forces] are persisting in this fiction is demonstrated in the current matter concerning the bodies of two officers of the Pakistan Army who had died in action on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kargil. The body of Captain Imtiaz Malik of 165 Mortar Regiment was found at Point 4875 in the Mushkoh sub-sector. The body of Captain Karnal Sher of 12 Northern Light Infantry was found on Tiger Hill in the Dras sub-sector. The identities of these two officers were established by correspondence found on their persons. Both bodies are in the possession of the Indian Army authorities," the Indian Government said on July 15, above information was conveyed to the Pakistani government on July 12. We informed the Pakistani authorities that we would like to hand over the bodies to them. We did not receive any response," the Indian government added in the press Brigadier MPS Bajwa, who was struck by Khan's bravery, wrote a citation praising his gallantry and placed it in his pocket, ensuring his valour was after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told New Delhi on July 13 that Islamabad had asked the humanitarian-support body to talk to its Indian counterpart over the bodies of the two officers about which they had after international scrutiny and reports of Pakistan disowning its heroes spread beyond borders did Islamabad accept Captain Karnal Sher Khan's body, before posthumously awarding him the Nishan-e-Haider in ago, Captain Karnal Sher Khan's own country refused to accept his body in its bid to conceal military involvement in the Kargil War. Now, decades later, Army Chief Asim Munir is glorifying his sacrifice, at a time when he's seen consolidating power, more so through self-promotion and strategic appearances. If not pure perception-building, this revival of Sher Khan's legacy, one even an Indian officer acknowledged, certainly serves a timely purpose.- EndsTune InTrending Reel
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir pays tribute to Kargil captain whose body was refused during 1999 war
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and senior military officials on Saturday marked the 26th death anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan , who was killed during the 1999 Kargil conflict . The tribute described him as a symbol of 'unwavering courage and patriotism.' Captain Khan was posthumously awarded Pakistan's highest military honour, the Nishan-e-Haider . But historical records show that after his death at Tiger Hill in the Dras sub-sector, Pakistan initially denied any official link with him and refused to accept his body. Indian embassy highlights Pakistan's denial According to a press release issued by the Indian embassy in Washington on July 15, 1999, India had identified Captain Khan through documents recovered from his body. However, Pakistan did not confirm his identity. 'It is clear that Pakistan is fully aware of the identities of these bodies but they do not wish to acknowledge this fact as it would immediately expose their army's involvement in Kargil. Hence, their persistent and callous refusal to do so, they are doing great disservice to the families of their soldiers and to the traditions of armed forces everywhere,' the Indian embassy stated. India started handover process through Red Cross On July 12, 1999, India informed Pakistan about its decision to return the body. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) contacted Indian authorities the next day, stating that Pakistan had asked the organisation to help receive two bodies. Despite this communication, the Pakistani request to the ICRC did not name the deceased, including Captain Khan, though the details were known. The Indian embassy said, 'The Pakistani request did not specify the names and identities of the two officers, despite the information being available to them. The reason is obvious. The Pakistan authorities realised that if they conceded the identities of these two officers, it would demolish the myth that the Pakistan army was not involved in Kargil.' Live Events Kargil conflict and the official narrative During the Kargil conflict, Pakistan officially maintained that the fighting involved local insurgents and not regular troops. However, India recovered several documents and evidence from the battlefield that indicated otherwise. Captain Sher Khan's case became one of the key examples cited in support of this claim.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan observes 26th martyrdom anniversary of Havildar Lalak Jan
The 26th martyrdom anniversary of Kargil war hero Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed, recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, is being observed across Pakistan today. Havildar Lalak Jan laid down his life in July 1999 while valiantly defending his post during the Kargil conflict. Despite sustaining critical injuries, he refused evacuation and continued to repel enemy attacks until he embraced martyrdom. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Lalak Jan's legacy serves as a lasting source of inspiration for present and future generations of the Pakistan Armed Forces. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Lalak Jan Shaheed, recognising his courage and selflessness. The president said the martyr's sacrifice remains a shining example of determination and will be remembered in golden words in the country's history. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Lalak Jan foiled the enemy's nefarious designs without regard for his own life and made the ultimate sacrifice. He added that the courage of Lalak Jan could not be shaken by enemy aggression. The premier reaffirmed that the sacrifices of Pakistan's martyrs and their families are a source of national pride, and the entire nation stands firmly with the Armed Forces. In a joint message, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Armed Forces paid heartfelt homage to Lalak Jan Shaheed, acknowledging his unparalleled bravery, dedication, and sacrifice.
News18
09-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Even In Enmity We Uphold Dignity': Official Punctures Pakistan's Propaganda On ‘Concealing Losses'
Last Updated: The official reiterated India's unwavering commitment to transparency, dignity, and respect for those who serve the nation Amid a barrage of speculation from Pakistani and international media over alleged military losses and the ongoing Operation Sindoor, a senior government official has reiterated India's unwavering commitment to transparency, dignity, and respect for those who serve the nation. 'India has a proud and consistent history of acknowledging its losses and honouring the bravehearts who lay down their lives in the service of the nation," the official told CNN-News18 on Friday, responding to allegations of concealment. 'Operation Sindoor is ongoing. As always, we will provide verified details at an appropriate time." In a poignant reminder of India's tradition of honour—even in conflict—the official recalled an extraordinary moment from history: 'Pakistan's Captain Karnal Sher Khan was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider on the recommendation of an Indian officer." 'Hum dushmani mein bhi sharaft rakhte hain (Even in enmity, we uphold dignity)," added the official. The official said that at a time when narratives can cloud facts and emotions run high, India chooses the path of restraint, responsibility, and respect—for its own and for all who wear a uniform with honour.
