Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI: Yoom-e-Shahadat of L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider), gallant son of 15 Punjab Regiment, was commemorated on 18 December 2014 at his rest-place in his village Malakan, District Rawalpindi, with full military festivity. Major General Khawar Hanif of 15 Punjab Regiment laid the wreath. The occasion was attended by representatives of 15 Punjab, serving & retired officers & jawans of Pakistan Army, relatives of Shaheed and people of the area. As per occasion, life history of L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed was amply highlighted.
Life History of Shaheed Muhammad Mehfooz, he was born on 25 Oct 1944 in village Malkan of District Rawalpindi. He received his early education from his village. In 1962 he joined Pakistan Army and after completion of basic Military Training, in 1963 he was placed in 15 Punjab Regiment. He took part in Indo-Pak war of 1971 at Wahga border. On night 17 December, one company of 15 Punjab was ordered to attack Kangri Pull inside enemy territory. During attack, a bomb exploded near L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz in which he got badly injured and his machine gun became out of order. He crawled in a nearby trench of a shaheed firer and got hold of his machine gun and started firing. Meanwhile he noticed that an enemy machine gun was effectively engaging own troops. Muhammad Mehfooz crawled towards enemy trench and on reaching within 10 yards charged on it. He caught the enemy firer form his neck and pushed him to death, meanwhile other two enemy soldiers kept on stabbing him with their bayonets. L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz got badly injured and embraced shahadat, however his clutches never left the neck of his adversary, which was later freed with a great effort. Indian Commanding Officer while acknowledging the bravery of L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz narrated “I havn’t seen such a brave Jawan in my life. Had he been in Indian Army, I would have granted him the top most military award”. On 23rd March 1972, Pakistan Government in recognition to the bravery of L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, awarded him with the top most military award “Nishan-e-Haider”. Shaheed’s Military Belonging As we all feel proud of L/Nk Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, likewise we admire his military belonging to 15 Punjab Regiment, a battalion with 150 years of meritorious history. 15 Punjab Regiment was raised on 23rd December 1857 at Allahbad. In 1903, the regiment was designated by the name of “33 Punjabi”, however having Muslims majority it was also known as “33 Muhammadi”. Even today the battalion is officially quoted as “33 Muhammadi” that is, soldiers of Muhammad (May Peace be Upon Him). Till date, battalion has been awarded with 29 military awards. The battalion has the honour to audaciously participate at Chamb Jorian in 1965 and at Kanjri Pull, Wahga in 1971. 33 Muhammadi has the honour to be awarded with 3 Sitara-e-Jurat, 2 Tamgha-e-Basalat and 17 Commendation Certificates.