Pakistan pays homage to Pakistan Army’s Kargil War hero Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed on his 22nd martyrdom anniversary on Monday (today).
Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed who is a Kargil War hero, served in 27th Sindh Regiment of the Pakistan Army and embraced martyrdom during the 1999 conflict with India.
Born on January 1st 1970 in Naway Kallay, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; first joined Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as an Airman but later secured commission in Pakistan Army in 1992.
During the Kargil War, he was deployed at the Gultari region. He along with his fellow soldiers established five strategic posts at height of 17,000 feet at Gultari. Indian Army launched eight attacks on their position to capture the strategic posts.
However, Khan and his men were able to defend those strategic posts. On 5 July 1999, the Indian army launched another attack and surrounded his posts with two battalions. With heavy mortar fire, the Indian Army captured one of his posts.
During the course of battle, Captian Karnal Sher Khan Shaeed merged as the symbol of mettle and courage during the Kargil conflict at the Line of Control. He set up personal examples of bravery and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.
On 5 July 1999, Indian forces with the help of two battalions, managed to capture some portion of one of his post. Despite facing all odds, he led a counter-attack and re-captured the lost portion. Despite facing a shortage of ammunition and men, Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed conducted many raids in enemy area, forcing the Indian troops to retreat.
Captain Karnal Sher Khan embraced martyrdom on July 5th 1999 after being hit by a machine gun burst.
Due to his unprecedented courage, love for motherland and the fact that he laid down his life for the country, government of Pakistan bestowed him with Nishan-e-Haider – country’s highest military award.
Karnal Sher Khan’s home town Naway Kallay has been renamed as Karnal Sher Khan Kallay. A Mausoleum was established in his hometown where his body lays in rest. Every year officials from Pakistani Government, Pakistan Armed Forces and other locals visit the tomb to offer prayer.
Meanwhile, a Cadet College has been named after him in the village Ismaila near the native town of Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed.
