Today is Maj. Shabbir Sharif’s 54th anniversary of martyrdom.

Today (Saturday) is the 54th anniversary of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, being martyred. He is one of the outstanding army officers who served in the 1965 and 1971 major conflicts.

He was born in the Gujarati village of Kunjah on April 28, 1947. He was the older brother of Gen. Raheel Sharif, the former head of the army.

The only individual to receive both Sitara-e-Jurat and Nishan-e-Haider decorations was Maj Shabbir Sharif.

Major Sharif was given the task of seizing a high ground close to the Sulemanki Headworks during the 1971 Pak-India War.

Indian infantry, backed by a tank squadron, defended the position.

After taking control of the region, he destroyed four tanks and killed forty-three Indian soldiers. Additionally, he and his soldiers repelled two enemy battalions’ counterattacks.

He fought valiantly and accepted martyrdom on December 6, 1971. He was buried in the Miani Sahab cemetery in Lahore.

Nishan-e-Haider was given to Major Shabbir Sharif in recognition of his extraordinary bravery and valor in defending his home Pakistan. Other than that, he was awarded the Sword of Honor by Kakul Academy and Sitara-e-Jurrat in 1965.