Tribute paid to Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz on 54th martyrdom anniversary

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): The nation is observing the 54th martyrdom anniversary of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, the valiant son of the soil who was awarded Pakistan’s highest military honor, the Nishan-e-Haider, for his unmatched bravery.

During the 1971 war, he was serving with the 15 Punjab Regiment, which was stationed in the Wagha–Attari sector. In one of the most intense engagements of the conflict, he actively participated in the Pul Kunjry operation, during which his unit succeeded in securing the area from enemy forces.

As the fighting intensified, his machine gun was destroyed by enemy fire. Refusing to withdraw despite being unarmed, Muhammad Mehfooz pressed forward toward an enemy bunker. Displaying exceptional courage, he jumped into the bunker and overpowered an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat, killing him.

In the fierce struggle that followed, he was repeatedly stabbed with bayonets and attained martyrdom on the night of December 17–18, 1971. 

Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed’s gallantry was acknowledged even by the opposing side, as the enemy commander later praised his heroism while returning his body, draped in the Pakistani flag.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have remembered Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, with deep reverence on the 54th anniversary of his martyrdom, praising his exceptional courage and fearless resolve.

In separate messages, the president and the premier said the unmatched bravery and supreme sacrifice shown by Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed on the battlefield continue to inspire the nation and will remain a source of guidance for future generations.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari described the martyred soldier as a lasting embodiment of courage, selflessness and unshakable devotion to Pakistan. 

He recalled that during the 1971 war at the Wagah border, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, despite suffering severe injuries, stood his ground and fought the enemy with extraordinary determination.

The president said the sacrifice of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed stands as powerful evidence of the discipline, professionalism and patriotic spirit of the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

In his statement, PM Shehbaz said heroes like Mehfooz Shaheed represent the true strength and security of the nation. He said that by bravely blocking the enemy’s advance in the Wagah-Attari sector in 1971, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed displayed remarkable valor and secured an everlasting place in the country’s history.

The prime minister said the courage and fearlessness shown by the martyred soldier reflected the collective resolve of the entire nation, which stands firm like an iron barrier in defence of the motherland.

He said that even after being wounded by the enemy, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed continued to confront the aggressor, setting an unmatched example of bravery on the battlefield.

“The whole nation remains proud of all martyrs, including Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, who laid down their precious lives to protect the country and uphold its honour,” PM Shehbaz said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, on behalf of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, paid profound homage to the immortal legacy of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on his martyrdom anniversary.

“Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed stands as a towering symbol of valor, sacrifice, and unyielding devotion to the motherland. During the 1971 war at the Wagah sector, he displayed extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming enemy resistance. Undeterred by severe injuries and relentless fire, he pressed forward with fearless resolve, ultimately laying down his life in the highest tradition of military honor. His gallantry in battle remains one of the most luminous chapters in the history of the Pakistan Armed Forces. His supreme sacrifice embodies the indomitable spirit, professional excellence, and selflessness that define Pakistan’s Armed Forces,” the statement said.

The military's media wig said that Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed’s heroism transcends time, serving as an enduring source of inspiration for generations of soldiers and citizens alike, reinforcing the sacred bond between the armed forces and the nation they are sworn to defend.

“On this solemn occasion, the Armed Forces of Pakistan reaffirm their unwavering resolve to uphold the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the nation. The legacy of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed will forever remain etched in the nation’s collective memory, a timeless beacon of courage, resilience, and ultimate sacrifice,” the ISPR said.