A Tribute to 6-23 September 1965 War Heroes

[Endurer]

On the 6th of September in 1965 our country Pakistan which was but 18 yrs old found itself face to face with an extremely chalenging situation when war broke out with India. for the people of the country it was a huge shock, they werent exactly expecting this, atleast not by 6 Sep 65. Whether it really was the surprise attack as we have heard and read or not is another issue and we arent discussing that strategic history now, this thread is meant to refresh the memories of those 17 days, the days when perhaps for the first and so far last time the nation was actually ONE! the days when countless young men in uniform wrote blood warming, pulse racing tales of valor and mad bravery and obsessive devotion and love for the motherland and nation. when countless young men laid down their lives for their land, making the nemy sure that this young nation may be poor on resources but is fully able and mature to defend its boundaries thanks to the brave breed of Pakistani warriors. during these days pakistan found out what great potential our armed forces had, the whole world found out. and it was amazing. ghazis, shaheeds are worshipped in our culture and even almost anyone in a militart uniform. why? because these men we all know are ready to lay their lives for us anytime. they are ready to sacrifice their limbs and body partsfor this land.

the War took place in the light of tensions and occasional battles in the Runn of Kuchh desert in Sindh area which was apprently wrapped up by early 1965 but right after that tensions erupted in the ever contentious, ever turbulent Kashmir areas. Both countries were in dialogue over the tense situation and both armed forces were almost ready for all out war. But still the whole world including leaders in both countries were against it and inspite of fierce battles in various areas throughout the border particularly in Kashmir, ruled out all out war. but all out war nevertheless broke out!

At the time it seemed the country and countrymen were taken by surprise and the Indian army had been expecting a walk through in Lahore area, but it wasnt exactly so. the public indeed was surprised but the forces, not quite. inside sources confirm they were prepred but there were certain irregularities leaving loops in serious startegic planning at higher level. that remains beyond the scope of this thread. ppl confirm that in cantt areas all houses had trenches dug out a month in advance, that means there was preparation.

Indian army had to face very strong resistance in the lahore area during the firs few hours and today it seems if thay had managed to cross over that day, the outcome of the war may have been much diff. So huge credit goes to the regimants, units, and above all men who were deployed in the lahore areas of wahgah, Burki etc. among them all one name stands above the rest, that of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, whose supernatural skills and devotion plyed a huge role in the outcome of the lahore battles. he was martyred directing artillery fire. even if he hadnt been martyred he would have definitely recvd the Hilal-e-Jurat or Sitara-e-Jurat (bar).
throughout the country, during the ar lasted extraordinary tales of heroism were written. a great tank battle; the biggest after WWII was fought at Chawinda in Sialkot sector. the Navy took an offensive and silenced the Indian navy by an attack on their port at Dwarka. The PAF was exceptionally prompt and of exemplary help to the ground forces. There was cease fire on 23 Sep, but our nation had had quite an experience by then. civilians were readyto head to borders armed with sticks and knives. would shout slogans to our aircraft chasing IAF planes. The air was full of radio waves carrying patriotic tunes in Noor jehan's voice which prompted every soldier to fight harder. There were a lot of heroes, most recognized, many unsung, we remember them always and particulary in Sept, marking the defense day. they died so we may live, if it hadnt been for them, we may not have been here. I would wish if i could pay tribute to each and every shaheed and ghazi here, but thats not possible. a few famous faces from the 1965 war whom we salute to symbolize our love for those men in uniform, along with their tales, are being posted here. I'd request everyone to post here names and tales, personal, heard from a friend, of a relative, cquainatnce, pictures memories etc whatever, to freshen up the blood drops of those brave men. thats what this thread is all about. celebrate the Defense Day! thanks.

I would have loved to write their entire stories in my own words, but that would take a bit too long, so i'm pasting the official citations here.

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, Nishan-i-Haider



Born 1928 in Hong Kong. Commissioned into the Punjab Regiment, 1950. On 6 September 1965, as Company Commander in the Burki area of the Lahore sector, Major Bhatti chose to move with his forward platton 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 shell arms, tanks and artillery, he organized the defence of the canal, directing his men to answer the fire until he was hit by an enemy tank shell which killed him on 10 September 1965. He was 37 years old.

Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui Shaheed, Sitara-e-Jurat,Hilal-i-Jurat



On 6 September, 1965, Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmad Rafiqui led a formation of 3 F-86 aircraft on a strike against Halwara airfield. The formation was intercepted by about 10 Hunter aircraft out of which Squadron Leader Rafiqui accounted for one in the first few seconds. But then his guns jammed due to a defect and stopped firing. However, Rafiqui refused to leave the battle area which he would have been perfectly justified to do; instead he ordered his No. 2 to take over as leader and continue the engagement while he tried to give the formation as much protection as was possible with an unarmed aircraft. This called on the part of Squadron Leader Rafiqui. The end for him was never in doubt but he chose to disregard it and, in the process, his aircraft was shot down and he was killed but not before enabling his formation to shoot down 3 more Hunter aircraft. Rafiqui’s conduct was clearly beyond the call of duty and conformed to the highest traditions of leadership and bravery in battle against overwhelming odds. For this and his earlier exploits, he is awarded Hilal-i-Jurat and Sitara-i-Jurat.

Flt Lt Yunus Hussain Shaheed, Sitara-e-Jurat



Flight Lieutenant Yunus Hussain fought in air battles aggressively, fearlessly and with great professional skill. During one such engagement he fought singly against 6 enemy aircraft and shot down 2 Hunters. Though his own aircraft was damaged in this encounter, he managed to bring it back to base safely. On 6 September, while attacking Halwara airfield, his small formation was intercepted by a large number of enemy and, although his aircraft was hit, he refused to break off the engagement, in complete disregard of personal safety, and was reported missing from this mission. He became a symbol of courage and professional ability for other pilots. For his gallantry, valour, professional skill and devotion to duty he is awarded Sitara-i-Jurat.

Squadron Leader (Now Air Cdr. retd.) M. M. Alam, Sitara-e-Jurat (Bar)



On 6th September, 1965, during an aerial combat over enemy territory, Squadron Leader Mohammad Mahmood Alam flying as pilot of an F-86 Sabre Jet, shoot down two enemy Hunter aircraft and damaged three others. For the exceptional flying skill and valor displayed by Squadron Leader Mohammad Mahmood Alam in operations, he was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat. On 7th September, 1965, in a number of interception missions flown by Squadron Leader Mohammad Mahmood Alam against the enemy aircraft attacking Pakistan Air Force Station, Sargodha, Squadron Leader Alam destroyed five more enemy Hunter aircrafts. In less than a minute , which remains a record till today. Overall he had nine kills and two damagers to his credit. For the exceptional flying skill and valour shown by him in pressing home his attacks in aerial combats with the enemy, Squadron Leader Mohammad Mahmood Alam is awarded a bar to his Sitara-i-Juraat.

I'll be adding more shortly. And would request everyone to come forward with some, including personal feelings, tales, narratives heard from elders and so on. let's make sure the memory lives, lets make sure we are able to transfer to the generations to come what has been transferred to us. let's salute the Armed Forces, the brave soldiers and Pakistan. thanks!

thanks to Haris Zuberi at pak links :up;

[Ghazel]

cool :up; nice

[xeon]

Apni jaan nazar keroon
Apni jaan nazar keroon
Apni wafa paish keroon
Qom ke marde mujahid
tujhe kiya paish keroon

Zabardast Adeeloo

[Endurer]

superb xee bhai

[Ash]

nice... :up;

[Majid]

Indeed they were Heroes, they sacrificed their live's for the Honor of country.

[nisha aswani]

ak; nice

[zebijns]

zabardast Adi :applaud; :up;
nice sharing bro,keeeeeeeeeeeeeep it up :givefl; :hug1:

[zeeast]

very nice......
i wish to be one of them....
but i can't.....

[Zaheer]

nice post adeel.

zeeast you still can wish but for your brothers
aisa rutba milay yeh kaun nahi chahay ga.