Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Saturday, paid homage to Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed on his martyrdom anniversary for his service and ultimate sacrifice during 1965 Indo-Pak War.
“His stellar leadership and courage beckons us to defend Pakistan, come what may,” read the statement issued by ISPR.
Major Raza Aziz Bhatti is one of the 10 recipients of ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ – the highest military award in Pakistan, for his service and selfless vigor, unmatched valor and gallantry during the 1965 Indo-Pak War.
Born as Aziz Ahmad on August 6th 1928 in Hong Kong, Aziz Bhatti enlisted to join the Royal Indian Air Force as an airman in June of 1946. After independence, joined the Pakistan Air Force and promoted as Corporal (Cpl.) in the Pakistan Air Force.
However, in January 1948, Cpl. Bhatti submitted an application to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), asking to be transferred to the Pakistan Army, and joined Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul in 1948 .
He passed out from the military academy at the top of class in the class of the 1st PMA Long Course and was conferred with the Sword of Honor and the Norman gold medallion by the ceremony’s chief guest, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan in 1950.
During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Major Aziz Bhatti was posted as the commander of the two military companies after the Indian Army’s launching the invasion by crossing the international borders in September of 1965 and was deployed on the forward positions of the BRB Canal near the Burki area that falls in the vicinity of the Lahore District in Pakistan-side Punjab.
On 10 September 1965, Major Aziz Bhatti was on a routine when he stood up from his trench to observe the enemy position despite being warned by army sergeant to take cover and move out of the target.
Major Aziz Bhatti – 37, was eventually hit by the tank shell on the shoulder and was killed in an impact on instant.
