Thousands of sons of this land have sacrificed their lives to defend the honour and integrity of this country. Ten of them were awarded the Nishan-e-Haider and one of them the Hilal-e-Kashmir, the highest military awards of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, in recognition of their great courage, bravery, and supreme sacrifice. Two of them are not even buried in Pakistan. One of those two heroes is Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed, the subject of this post.
The monument to this brave soldier is located in Jhelum city. In this itinerary, Qazi Riaz Ahmad of Kandwal was with me. Our first target was this monument, situated right in Jhelum city at 32°55'47.65"N, 73°43'48.74"E.
The weather was as hot and humid as it could be, but not enough to deter us from our quest. After all, it was Independence Day, and I too was feeling a bit patriotic after seeing the enthusiasm of the people, especially the children in the streets, holding national flags and even wearing dresses with the theme of the Pakistan flag. But that was all outside — inside the monument, we saw just one visitor: a young man in his early twenties.
The monument has been constructed on a raised platform. A replica of the Nishan-e-Haider is mounted over this four-sided structure.
The monument. (14.08.2019.)
View of the monument from the west. (14.08.2019.)
Another view from the south. (14.08.2019.)
Qazi Riaz Ahmad. (14.08.2019.)
Tariq Amir (14.08.2019.)
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
سوانح حیات
میجر محمد اکرم شہید نشانِ حیدر
میجر محمد اکرم شہید نشانِ حیدر نکاں کلاں ضلع جہلم میں پیدا ہوئے۔ آپ نے ابتدائی تعلیم ملٹری کالج جہلم سے حاصل کی اور 13 اکتوبر 1963کمیشن حاصل کرکے 4 ایف ایف میں تعینات ہوئے۔ 1971 کی پاک وہند جنگ میں آپ مشرقی پاکستان کے محاذ پر تھے اور وہیں 5 دسمبر کو جام شہادت نوش فرمایا۔
نشانِ حیدر کا فرمان
پی اے 6831 میجر محمد اکرم 5 دسمبر 1971 کو 4 ایف ایف کی ایم کمپنی کو کمانڈ کر رہے تھے جو ہلی کی پوزیشن کا دفاع کر رہی تھی۔ اس جگہ کو ہندوستان کی جارحانہ منصوبہ سازی میں ایک کلیدی مقام حاصل تھا۔ اس پر قبضہ کر کے دشمن مشرقی پاکستان میں آگے بڑھنا چاہتا تھا۔ ھلی کے سامنے بالر گیٹ میں متعین دشمن کے بیسوین پہاڑی ڈویژن کا پورا دباو اس پوزیشن پر تھا، جو روزانہ بڑھتا جارہا تھا۔ دشمن نے بکتر بند دستوں اور اور توپ خانے کی مدد سے اس پوزیشن پر پے در پے حملے کیئے اور تمام دن اس پوزیشن کو شدید حملوں کا نشانہ بھی بنائے رکھا۔ میجر محمد اکرام کے زیر کمان دستوں نے بڑی جراًت سے دشمن کے فوج در فوج حملوں کو پسپا کیا۔ اپنی پوزیشن پر مضبوطی پر جمے رہنے کے لیئے میجر محمد اکرنے نہ صرف مثالی قائدانہ صلاحیتوں کا مظاہرہ کیا بلکہ انتہائی ناسازگار حالات میں دشمن کے شدید حملوں کی ضد میں ہوتے ہوئے بھی انہوں نے اپنے ہتھیاروں کا انتہائی موًثر طریقے سے استعمال کیا اور دشمن کو شدید جانی اور جانی نقصان پہنچایا۔ آخر کار وہ دشمن کے ٹینک کا راکٹ لانچر سے مقابلہ کرتے ہوئے ٹینک کے مشین گن کر برسٹ لگنے سے شہید ہوگئے۔ ان کو شہادت کے بعد نشانِ حیدر کا اعزاز دیا گیا۔
میجر محمد اکرم نےجس مثالی شجاعت اور جان ںثاری کا ثبوت دیا وہ وہ کسی اتفاقی امر یا کسی فوری جوش کا نتیجہ نہیں تھا بلکہ اس تاریخی لمحے کے لیئے وہ اپنے آپ کر برسوں سے تیار کر رہے تھے۔ اپنے آباواجداد کے نقش قدم پر چلتے ہوئے میجر محمد اکرم نے 5 دسمبر کی صبح کو دکھا دیا کہ جو توقعات قوم نے ان سے وابستہ کی تھیں وہ غلط نہ تھیں۔
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ
And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive.
Translation: By the writer
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Biography
Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider
Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was born At Nakka Kalan, district Jhelum. He received his early education at Military College, Jhelum and after receiving his commission on 13 October, was appointed in 4 FF. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he was at the East Pakistan Front and was martyred there on 5 December.
Order of Nishan -e- Haider
PA 6831, Major Muhammad Akram was commanding a company of 4 FF on December 5, 1971, which was defending the position of Hili. This position had strategic importance in the aggressive plans of India. After capturing it, the enemy wanted to advance in East Pakistan. Enemy's 20 Mountain Division, stationed at Balurghat in front of Hili, had its full pressure on this position, that was increasing day by day. The enemy with the help of armoured and artillery, attacked this position repeatedly and kept it under severe attacks throughout the day. The formations under the command of Major Muhammad Akram, with great courage, repulsed all the wave after wave attacks. To remain steadfast at his position, Major Muhammad Akram not only displayed exemplary leadership qualities, but despite extremely adverse conditions, under the attack of the enemy, he used his weapons very effectively and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in men and material. At last, while confronting an enemy tank with a rocket launcher, he got martyred by a brust of fire from the tank. After the martyrdom, he was awarded with Nishan-e-Haider.
The exemplary bravery and devotion displayed by Major Muhammad Akram, was neither a coincidence nor a result of a momentary fervour. But he was preparing himself for this historic moment for years. Following the footsteps of his forefathers, Major Muhammad Akram on the morning of 5 December showed, that the expectations of the nation from him were not wrong.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
NO MAJOR UNDERTAKING IS EVER A SOLD EFFORT. SO IS MAJOR AKRAM MEMORIAL MONUMENT / LIBRARY. A LOT OF BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS HAVE GONE INTO THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAJ. AKRAM SHAHEED (N.H) MEMORIAL, MONUMENT AND LIBRARY. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO ME BY THE FAMILY OF SHAHEED, ESPECIALLY LATE MALIK HANIF (THE MOVING SPIRIT BEHIND THIS PROJECT).
MY GRATITUDE TO MAJ GENERAL MUSHTAQ, MAJ GENERAL TAJ-UL-HAQUE GOC 23 DIV AND COL QASIM FOR CONSTANT SUPPORT AND MOTIVATION. I AM GRATEFUL TO MY COLLEAGUES ADC(G)S AND ACS WHO WORKED DAY AND NIGHT TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT BEYOND CALL OF DUTY. I AM INDEBTED TO RAILWAY AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR SUPPORT. MY HEARTFELT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TREMENDOUS WORK DONE BY SUMAIRA ZAMAN, THE ARCHITECT AND MIRZA GHULAM RASOOL THE CONTRACTOR.
THIS MONUMENT AND LIBRARY, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IS GLOWING TRIBUTE TO THE MARTYRDOM OF MAJOR AKRAM SHAHEED IN PARTICULAR AND TO ALL THOSE WHO LAID THEIR LIVES DEFENDING THE GEOGRAPHIC AND IDEOLOGICAL FRONTIERS OF OUR MOTHERLAND IN GENERAL.
SEPTEMBER 6th, 1999. ARSHAD MIRZA DEPUTY COMMISSIONER JHELUM
TRIBUTE TO A MARTYR
This monument is a glaring tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the defence of their motherland. It is a homage to those who have fought gloriously to defend the geographical and ideological frontiers of Pakistan and have become immortal in the annals of history.
Nishan-e-Haider dedicated to the name of the commander of the faithful, Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib, is a token of acknowledgment bestowed upon those who have fought and laid down their lives for Pakistan. It signifies the pride that the nation has its heroes.
This monument is dedicated to major Mohammad Akram Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, a son of the soil who laid down his life defending the motherland during the 1971 war in east Pakistan.
Major Mohammad Akram Shaheed was born in Nakka Kalan. District Jhelum in the year 1938. He got commissioned in the Pakistan army in 1963.
He commanded the 4th F.F. regiment and was placed in the forward area of Nilli (actally Hili) district in east Pakistan in 1971. The regiment came under continuous and heavy, air, artillery and armour attacks from the Indian army. For an entire fortnight despite enemy's superiority in both numbers and firepower. Major Akram and his men repulsed every attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Major Akram attained Shahadat during this battle. He was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military award.
His memory shall always remain alive as according to the Holy Quran a Shaheed attains immortality and becomes a source of inspiration for his fellow countrymen.
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ
And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive.
Dr. Syed Pervez Abbas
District Coordination Office
Jhelum
23rd March, 2007.
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Major Muhammad Akram, Nishan-e-Haider, was born in a village at Nakka Kalan, District Jhelum in the year 1938. After receiving early education, he entered the Military College at Sarai Alamgir from where he was commissioned in the Pak Army in 1963. During the East Pakistan war of 1971, Major Akram was in Command of the 4th Frontier Force Regiment when he laid down his life in the defence of Pakistan. The 5th of December 1971 will always be remembered in the history of Pakistan due to glorious sacrifice made by this son of Jhelum District.
During the war, Major Akram while commanding the 4th Frontier Force Regiment was placed in the forward area of the "Hilli" District what was then in East Pakistan. This was a strategic position which was blocking the enemy advance. The regiment came under continuous and heavy, air artillery and armoured attacks from the 20th Mountain Division of the Indian Infantry. Despite the enemy superiority in both numbers and firepower, Major Akram and his men bravely defended the motherland and repulsed every attack of the enemy.
During this time of crisis, major Akram displayed unique leadership qualities. He demonstrated leadership and administrative skills in the face of death and destruction. During the battle while combating enemy tanks, Major Akram was martyred by a burst of machinegun fire.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
(We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return)
The unprecedented gallantry and martyrdom by Major Mohammad Akram Shaheed was neither incidental nor an outcome of momentary fervour. It was a result of his long and consistence education spread over years of training for the historical moment. By following the footsteps of his forefathers and Heroes of Islam, Major Akram Shaheed, on the morning of 5th December 1971, proved that the expectations of the nation from its defenders were not wrong. He carved a path to be followed whenever the nation needs protections from its foes.
We salute our martyrs.
CHAUHDRY FARRUKH ALTAF
23rd March, 2007. District Nazim Jhelum.
View from the west. (14.08.2019.)
A view from the main entrance. (14.08.2019.)
It was a coincidence that I came to visit this monument to the bravery of our defenders on the 14th of August, our Independence Day. But it is no coincidence that I am posting this article on the 6th of September, Pakistan’s Defence Day. This is my tribute to all those who defended our country in the past and sacrificed their lives, and to those who are still defending it and continue to lay down their lives. More such monuments should be built so that people become more aware of their heroism.
Unfortunately, no picture of his grave is available on the internet, and perhaps it has never been shown in the media. However, according to an article on Wikipedia, he is buried at Boaldar, near Hili. Maybe someday, someone will visit his grave and pay homage on behalf of this nation. You can see the location of Boaldar on the map given below.
Tariq Amir
September 6, 2019.
Doha - Qatar
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