No replies to this topic

[SUPARCO]

Colleague speaks about soldier’s heroic life in new book
Friday, June 08, 2012

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: A book on Major Shabir Sharif Shaheed’s heroic life as military officer, “What more can a solider desire,” is being launched in Rawalpindi today (Friday). Major Shabir was one of the most courageous military officers whose shining story of valour and bravery, as well as his consequent martyrdom, gives him a unique distinction.

One of his colleagues and a close friend Colonel ® Azam Qadri has made the epic life of the legendary soldier more memorable than ever through his remarkable effort of collecting and compiling the shining moments of Major Shabir’s career. The book is a candid account of Major Shabir’s acts of bravery he displayed throughout his military career, especially during the two Pakistan-India wars (1965 and 1971).

Major Shabir embraced martyrdom on December 6, 1971, while firing and engaging the Indian tanks in the Sulemanki sector.

Portion of the book is based upon the letters that Major Shabir wrote to the author, which contain and enumerate not only some historic facts about the Pakistan-India war of 1965 but also present a good reflection of his day-to-day life, as well as his personality. “Shabir created legends and displayed unparalleled leadership qualities, the likes of which we could quote as examples and about which the leadership theories could be written and read by the generations to come. He can be regarded as the highest decorated military officer not only in Pakistan, but maybe internationally,” says the author.

Another uniqueness of his performance, during the Pakistan-India wars, is the fact that he was severely wounded - bullets were lodged in his body - but he refused any medical aid and continued fighting while remaining there on the forefront along with his jawans and officers. On the second occasion he embraced martyrdom after his body was riddled with bullets, bruises and cuts. Before embracing martyrdom he killed an Indian Army Major (Narain Singh) in a one-on-one fight, a day earlier, the book says.

He finally fell to an Indian tank shell, confirming frailty of the human body, but his spirit achieved immortality. Major Sharif was at the prime of his age (28) at the time of martyrdom. The book “What more can a soldier desire” not only galvanises the desire of achievement, but also portrays the parts of Major Shabir Sharif’s life in a novel and impressive way.

http://dailytimes.co...ry_8-6-2012_pg11_7