Remembering Major Shabir Sharif on account of his martyrdom anniversary
He was born on 28 April 1943 in Kunjah, Gujrat District. He was commissioned in Frontier Force Regiment on 19 April 1964. In December 1971 Major Shabbir Sharif, being a company commander, 6th Frontier Force Regiment, was ordered to capture high ground near Sulemanki Headworks defended by more than a company of the Assam Regiment supported by a squadron of tanks. Major Shabbir Sharif captured that area, killing forty-three Indian soldiers and destroying four tanks. Major Shabbir Sharif and his men repulsed counter attack by two enemy battalions. On 6 December 1971, he was directly hit by a tank shell and embraced martyrdom.
He was posthumously given the highest gallantry award of Nishan-e-Haider. The battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment in which Major Shabbir Sharif was commissioned, observes “Shabbir Day” annually with great solemnity and gratitude. Born on April 4, 1938, in Gujrat, Major Akram Shaheed had initially joined Pakistan Army as a non-commissioned officer and later was promoted as 2nd Lt in Frontier Force Regiment.
He also participated in the Indo-Pak war of 1965 as a captain and led several successful military operations against the Indian military attacks.
Major Shabbir received his early education from Lahore’s St. Anthony High School. He was intellectually an exceptional student. He had been declared the best sportsman of hockey and cricket in Saint Anthony High School. Major Shabbir Sharif’s younger brother General Raheel Sharif has served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the highest rank in the Pakistan Army. He is also a relative of another holder of NH, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed
