Muhammad Akram
| Shaheed Muhammad Akram NH | |
|---|---|
| Born |
4 April 1938 Dinga, Gujrat District, British India |
| Died |
5 December 1971 (aged 33) Hili, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India |
| Buried at | Bogra, East Pakistan |
| Allegiance |
 Pakistan |
| Service/branch |
 Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1956–1971 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 4 Frontier Force Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
| Awards | Nishan-e-Haider |
Major Muhammad Akram (Urdu: محمد اکرم; c. 1938–1971), was a Pakistan Army officer who was posthumously awarded Pakistan military's highest decoration, the Nishan-e-Haider, for his actions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Akram was sent on several missions in the India-Pakistan War, and was killed in 1971 at the Battle of Hilli.[1]
Military career
Akram was born in Dinga village, Gujrat district, Punjab. He belonges to a Gorsi clan of Punjabi Gujjar family.He gained a commission in 1963 as part of the 4th Frontier Force Regiment of the Pakistan Army[1] Akram participated in 1965 Indo-Pak September War as a Captain where he led several successful military operations against the Indian Army. While stationed in Lahore, Akram commanded a small company which led several decisive operations against the Indian Armed Forces.
In 1969, Akram was promoted to Major. In 1971, Akram fought in the war against India. In the Battle of Hilli, his leadership, bravery and skillful strategizing kept enemies at bay for five days and nights but cost him his life. He was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military honor.[2]
Death
During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the 4th FF Regiment, which Akram commanded, was placed in the forward area of the Hilli Municipality (under Hakimpur Upozila, Dinajpur District), in what was then East Pakistan. The regiment came under continuous and heavy air, artillery and armor attacks from the Indian Army. Despite enemy superiority in both numbers and firepower, Akram and his men repulsed many attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.[2]
Akram was buried in the village of Boaldar, Thana/Upozila-Hakimpur (Banglahilly), District-Dinajpur. There is a monument, Major Akram Shaheed Memorial, in Jhelum city. Anjum Sultan Shahbaz, the famous writer and historian, has referred to Akram in his books Tareekh-e-Jhelum and Shohdai Jhelum.
Awards and decorations
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pakistan Army Website, retrieved 10 February 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Shaheed Foundation Website, retrieved 10 February 2013
|