ISLAMABAD: The 73rd martyrdom anniversary of Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar was observed on Tuesday.
Sarwar holds the distinction of being awarded the Nishan-i-Haider, highest military honour, for the first time in the country’s history, owing to the tremendous valour that he displayed on the battlefield during the war in Kashmir.
Sarwar was born in Singhori village in Gujar Khan Tehsil on November 10, 1910. His father, Raja Muhammad Hayat Khan, served in the British army as a constable.
He obtained his early education from Islamia High School in Faisalabad. He had three brothers and one sister. He married in 1936 and became a father to a son and a daughter.
Sarwar entered the army as a sepoy in April 1929 and served in the Baloch regiment till 1941. He was commissioned in the Punjab regiment in 1944 and also got promoted to the rank of second lieutenant that very year.
He joined the Punjab Regiment in 1946 and achieved the rank of Captain, months before the creation of Pakistan. Once the country emerged on the map of the world in 1947, Sarwar volunteered to be a part of the battalion formed to gain Kashmir.
He was given the rank of company commander of the second battalion of the Punjab Regiment. Under his leadership, the regiment was able to force the Indian troops to retreat out of battle regions of Gilgit-Baltistan.
However, his battalion faced heavy resistance from the opponents present in the Uri sector as the soldiers pushed forward to take over a well-guarded enemy position.
As he along with his battalion continued moving forward, the intensity of gunfire, grenade attacks, and mortar fire increased. He embraced martyrdom on July 27, 1948, after receiving multiple shots on his chest as he attempted to cut a barbed-wire barrier while making an effort to progress further into enemy lines.
In recognition of his exceptional acts of gallantry, Sarwar was awarded the honour on March 23, 1956.
Inter-Services Public Relations chief Major General Babar Iftikhar, in a tweet, memorialised Sarwar’s service:
“Nation pays tribute [to] Capt Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed […] His matchless chivalry, unwavering resolve [and] fortitude shall always be remembered. The supreme sacrifice he made, will keep inspiring defenders of the motherland in times [to] come,” he wrote.
Nation pays tribute 2 Capt Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, NH, #Kashmir War 1948 on 73rd martyrdom anniversary. His matchless chivalry, unwavering resolve & fortitude shall always be remembered.The supreme sacrifice he made,will keep inspiring defenders of the motherland in times 2 come
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 26, 2021
