03. Raja Aziz Bhatti

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti (1928 - September 10, 1965)[1] (Punjabi, Urdu: عزیز بهٹی) was a Hong Kong-born Pakistan Army's Staff officer who received Pakistan's highest award for valor. He was born in Hong Kong in 1928.[2][3] He moved to Pakistan before it became independent in 1947, living in the village of Ladian, Kharian, Gujrat. There he enlisted with the newly formed Pakistani Army and was commissioned to the Punjab Regiment in 1950.

Birth name Raja Aziz Bhatti
Nickname Major Raja Aziz
Born 1928
British Hong Kong
Died September 11, 1965
Lahore, Pakistan
Allegiance Pakistan
Service/branch Pakistan Army
Years of service 1950-1965
Rank Major
Unit 17th Battalion, Punjab Regiment
Commands held Burki Company, 17th Battalion, Punjab Regiment
Battles/wars Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Awards Nishan-e-Haider
Sword of Honor
Norman Medal

Early life and army career

His father's name was Master Abdullah Bhatti, and his mother's name was Bibi Amna . Throughout his career, he was a brilliant officer and stood out in his class. He did very well at the Academy and was awarded the Norman Medal and the Sword of Honour in his year's batch of 300 officers. He received his honours from Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Death

On 6 September 1965, as a Company Commander in the Burki area of the Lahore sector, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti choose to stay with his forward platoon under incessant artillery and tank attacks for five days and nights in the defence of the strategic BRB Canal. Throughout, undaunted by constant fire from enemy small arms, tanks and artillery. He was reorganizing his company and directing the gunners to shell the enemy positions. In order to watch every move of the enemy, he had to place himself in an elevated position, where he was exposed to Indian fury. He led his men from the front under constant attack from Indian Artillery batteries. Although he tried to counter every Indian offensive in his area, he was hit by an enemy tank shell in the chest while watching the enemy's moves, and embraced martyrdom on 11 September 1965.[4]

He is buried at his village in Ladian in the Gujrat district.

Each year, Major Bhatti is honoured in Pakistan on 6 September, also known as Defence Day of Pakistan. Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the nation's highest military award for gallantry for the exemplary courage he displayed.