Muhammad Mahfuz

Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Awan[1] (born 25 October 1944) was a Pakistani soldier, who was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award of Pakistan, after he was killed in battle during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[2]

Lance Naik

Muhammad Mahfuz Awan

Nishan-e-Haider
Birth nameMahfooz
Nickname(s)Boxer
Born25 October 1944 (1944-10-25)
Pind Malikan (now Mehfoozabad), Rawalpindi District, Punjab, British India
Died18 December 1971(1971-12-18) (aged 27)
Wahga-Attari Sector
Buried
Mehfoozabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Allegiance Pakistan
Service/branch Pakistan Army
Years of service1962–1971
Rank Lance Naik
Unit3/16th Punjab Regiment
15 Punjab Regiment
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 †
Awards Nishan-e-Haider

Early life

Muhammad Mahfuz Awan was born in Pind Malikan (now renamed Mahfuzabad in his honour) in Rawalpindi District, Punjab. He joined the Pakistan Army on 25 October 1962 as an infantry soldier.[2]

Nishan-e-Haider action

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, a company of the 15th Punjab Regiment was under command of the 43 Punjab Regiment which was deployed in the Wagah-Attari sector along the Indian border. On 16 December 1971, Pakistan had signed instrument of surrender in Dhaka; while on 18 December 1971, during the attack on the enemy at Pul Kanjri post, his company was pinned down by enemy fire and his machine-gun was destroyed by an Indian shell. Company of 43 Punjab Regiment under the command of Major Subha Sadiq (also killed in the same battle), came for support and fought hard until the capture of the strategic town of Pul Kanjri. Even though Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfuz Shaheed, NH was wounded in his legs by shrapnel, he moved towards an enemy bunker, from whose gunfire had caused the death of many Pakistanis. Upon entering the bunker, he began strangling the enemy soldier who shot him, shortly after he was killed by another with a bayonet.[3][2]

Awards and decorations

Immediately after the war was over, the Indian Army recognized his bravery and said that if he were in the Indian Army, they would award him the Vir Chakra. On 23 March 1972, Mahfooz was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest gallantry award of Pakistan.[4]

References
  1. PSF, Admin (28 December 2020). "Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Awan Shaheed (N.H)". Pakistan Strategic Forum. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  2. "Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz". www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  3. "Shaheed Foundation Pakistan". Shaheedfoundation.org. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  4. ISPR
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