Lahore: The 54th martyrdom anniversary of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, is being observed today. During the Pak-India war of 1971, Major Shabbir Sharif was tasked with securing a strategically critical high ground near the Sulemanki Headworks. On the night between 5th and 6th December, he engaged in hand-to-hand combat and eliminated the Company Commander of the 4 Jat Regiment Major Narain Singh. He repelled repeated enemy counterattacks, personally destroying advancing tanks. Having successfully captured the objective and defended it against successive assaults, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed embraced martyrdom on this day in 1971. He had also earned the Sitara-e-Jurat for gallantry during the 1965 War.

According to Radio Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu on behalf of the armed forces of Pakistan solemnly commemorate the 54th martyrdom anniversary of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider. His bravery and devotion to duty remain a symbol of national pride.

Meanwhile, a floral wreath was laid at the mausoleum of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed in Lahore to pay homage. GOC Lahore Major General Faisal Ghaffar Rana laid the floral wreath, and a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour. Various people from different walks of life, civil and military officials, and relatives of Shaheed attended the ceremony.