Monday, October 15, 2012

08. Muhammad Mahfuz

Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was born in Pind Malikan (now Mahfuzabad) in Rawalpindi District on October 25, 1944. Muhammad Mahfuz joined Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962 as an infantry soldier.

Born October 25, 1944
Pind Malikan Rawalpindi, British India, present-day Pakistan
Died December 8, 1971
Allegiance Pakistan
Service/branch Pakistan Army
Years of service 1962–1971
Rank Lance Naik
Unit 15 Punjab Regiment
Battles/wars Indo-Pakistan War of 1965
Indo-Pakistan War of 1971
Awards Nishan-e-Haider

Incident leading to Martyrdom (Shahadat)

At the time of India-Pakistan War of 1971, Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz was serving in Company “A” of 15 Punjab Regiment deployed on the Wagah-Attari Sector. On the night of December 17–18, his company was assigned the task of occupying Phul Kanjri village located in the same sector. Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz was assigned to Platoon No. 3, which was designated as the forward unit in the assault. Thus this Platoon had to face torrential volleys of enemy fire from concrete Pill boxes. When the entire Company “A” was about 70 yards from the Indian position, it was pinned down by an unceasing frontal and cross fire from automatic weapons. On top of that the enemy artillery also opened up its fire with the break of dawn. Mahfuz, whose machine-gun was destroyed by an enemy shell, charged towards the Indian defences. Muhammad Mahfuz advanced towards an enemy bunker whose automatic fire had inflicted heavy casualties. Even though wounded in both legs by shell splinters, when he reached the bunker he stood up and pounced on the enemy, in the encounter he was hit with a bayonet. Although unarmed, he got hold of the enemy but suffered another bayonet wound while trying to strangle an Indian soldier. Due to serious injuries he died on the night of 17 December 1971.



For his supreme courage, Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was awarded Nishan-i-Haider, the highest Military award of Pakistan.

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