A Hero for All Seasons
The soldier on the DJ Cover, Maj Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, obtained Shahadat on Dec 6, 1971 in the Sulemanki Sector. He belongs to an illustrious family, his maternal uncle Maj Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed won the Nishan-e-Haider in 1965, his younger brother Gen Raheel Sharif became the COAS Pakistan Army – Presently he is the Commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in Riyadh. Born in April 1948 Shabbir Sharif was marked for destiny. Receiving his secondary education in St Anthony’s High School Lahore he excelled in athletics, boxing and swimming. Deemed best at sports Shabbir was picked to lead almost all school matches and individual competitions. Joining the PMA, given his impeccable professionalism and unwavering faith in the national cause, he passed out FIRST in his Course getting the coveted Sword of Honour, graduating first in his Course. Earlier he was among the panel of 5 cadets chosen for the Royal Military Academy (RMA) Sandhurst. Ali Kuli Khan (later Lt Gen) who was picked was incidentally Shabbir’s boxing rival. Commissioned into 6FF in 1964 during the 1965 war he was wounded but hid his injury to lead his men in a perilous military operation with complete disregard to his personal safety. Going behind the enemy he compelled the Indians to vacate the strong position they were holding, not only pushing them but bringing back his wounded men and a captured artillery piece. That war trophy still lies in the museum. For this action he was awarded that Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ).
After the 65 war he gradually groomed himself through an impeccable reading habit and mentoring his junior officers. His polished junior leadership and functional excellence at military tactics and strategy brought him as an instructor and platoon commander to the elite Pakistan Military Academy (PMA).
His classic war action in 1971 illustrates a heroic feat of a young leader full of unrestrained zeal and raw courage. On 3 December 1971 Maj Shabbir, commanding Bravo Company of 6FF, was assigned to take both of these critical objectives of Gurmukh Khera and Beriwala areas in the Sulemanki Sector, formidable objectives for Pakistani’s 105 Independent Brigade.
An Indian Rifle Company plus of Assam Rifles, supported by a troop of tanks of Indian 18 cavalry held the position. The defenses were proper laid out on a 80 feet higher man-made bund preceded by a 100 yds broad 12 feet deep canal additionally preceded by 100 yards of minefield. Both the canal and minefield were covered by fixed line machine gun and heavy fire from enemy pillboxes situated on the higher bund.
At 1800 hours Maj Shabbir fearlessly led his company with great courage and devotion to duty, regardless of danger he crawled past the minefield and cleared the initial enemy post on the home side of the canal. He swam across the water obstacle under heavy enemy fire, climbing the 40 degree 80 feet loose earth slope he succeeded in clearing the fortified trenched by lobbing hand grenades and occupied the enemy position. The next day his position came under heavy fire, that failed to dislodge him and his men fighting like devils.
On the 6 Dec night the enemy attacked Shabbir Sharif’s position with tanks resulting in formidable hand to hand combat, Shabbir came face to face with the enemy officer leading the counterattack and killed him. While the enemy also displayed persistent determination to regain their lost ground, leading a handful of men Shabbir rose to an occasion the nation will never forget.
After the Indians were repulsed, they re-attacked, but couldn’t regain their position. They attacked again, this time with a squadron of tanks, probably just to take Shabbir out and they did. Fighting on the front with his already stretched troops Shabbir Sharif was hit by a burst of secondary gun from a tank turret that proved fatal. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider posthumously. The attack was again repulsed by what were the remaining men. Later in reviving the memories of war after the ceasefire, the Indian COAS Gen. Manekshaw, who incidentally was also originally from 6FF, commented proudly how Shabbir Sharif was regarded with highest level of respect in the Indian Army for his outstanding bravery.
The greatest recognition of bravery and courage one can get is vocal admiration from one’s enemy. Possibly unknown to later generations, Shabbir Sharif is the highest decorated officer of the Pakistan Army. Probably Shabbir had a premonition about his tryst with history, or he wouldn’t have willed to be laid at Miani Sahab graveyard Lahore besides his good friend who had committed suicide. Choosing not to be buried in the family graveyard in Kunjah speaks of the tremendous element of sacrifice in Shabbir.
It is said that the soul of someone who has committed suicide can never be granted the opportunity to enter heaven unless a Shaheed is buried next to him. Shabbir Sharif was indeed a hero for all seasons and for all the right reasons, courage beyond compare!
