RAWALPINDI: The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Services Chiefs and Armed forces of Pakistan have paid glowing tribute to Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on his 75th Martyrdom Anniversary, a military statement said on Thursday.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed valiantly defended vital Pir Kaleva Ridge against repeated Indian attacks in 1948. His immortal action had set a glowing precedent for those struggling to restore the sanctity of land.
The statement said Naik Saif Ali Janjua’s martyrdom anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the Armed Forces of Pakistan to defend the motherland.
The ISPR further said: Let us remember these heroes who have laid down their lives in defence of our motherland. The nation is proud of its gallant sons.
Naik Saif Ali Janjua, the martyr of Azad Kashmir Regiment, who fought till his last breath
Naik Saif Ali Janjua, the brave soldier of Pakistan Army who defended his motherland against the enemy during the Indo-Pak War of 1948, was born on April 23, 1922 in Khandhar Tehsil Nikyal, Jammu and Kashmir. He received his primary education from a local school.
He had joined the British Indian Army Royal Corps as a sepoy on March 18, 1941. In 1947, he returned to his homeland and joined the “Haidri Force” of Sardar Fateh Mohammad Kiralvi.
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On January 1, 1948, the Haidri Force was raised to battalion and was renamed as Sher-e-Riasti Battalion under the command of Lt Col Muhammad Sher Khan. Lt Col Muhammad Sher Khan knowing the capabilities of Saif Ali Janjua, promoted him to the rank of Naik and ordered him to defend the country against the enemy at Budha Khanna.
Pir Kalewa Fight
Clashes were going on with the Indian Army on the Pir Kalewa front for several days. The 18th Azad Kashmir Regiment had already advanced across the Poonch River and had consolidated its hold on the post on the Pir Kalewa Hill as it was a very important defensive post.
From there, the unit could easily keep an eye on the enemy. This was the route that could take the unit to Srinagar. The enemy repeatedly attacked to recapture the post but failed. On October 26, 1948, the enemy through one of its infantry brigades, supported by heavy artillery and tanks as well as Air Force, attacked to capture the Pir Kalewa post.
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Naik Saif ordered his platoon to engage the enemy’s troops with all available ammunition. He led his men gallantly and continued shouting slogans of encouragement while also giving instructions.
Meanwhile, a complete section had suffered heavy losses, but Naik Saif single-handedly held the position until the reinforcements arrived.
He himself took over the gun and started effectively engaging advancing enemy soldiers from an open place. Naik Saif Ali also shot down an Indian plane with his gun. Both legs of Naik Saif Ali Janjua were seriously injured due to aerial bombardment and shelling, but he continued firing with his gun.
Despite being wounded, he continued to lead his platoon and encouraged them. When contact was restored, Lieutenant Muhammad Ayaz Khan and Lieutenant Rahmat Ali, who were the battalion adjutants at that time, immediately provided reinforcements along with their colleagues from the battalion headquarters.
They left for the front through different routes, but the arms and ammunition at the checkpoint were almost exhausted. Naik Saif suffered heavy loss of blood from his injuries, however, he dragged himself to collect weapons from the dead and injured and distributed it personally to the surviving soldiers.
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The Indians could not succeed in capturing the post despite heavy losses due to the bravery of Naik Saif. He embraced martyrdom on October 26, 1948 due to the severe injuries. While acting as a platoon commander, he set personal examples in gallantry and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.
His age was aged 26 at the time of martyrdom. He was survived by his wife Zahra Bibi, two sons and a daughter. On March 14, 1949, the Defense Council of the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir awarded him the highest military award “Hilal Kashmir”. Later, in 1995, the government of Pakistan recognized Hilal Kashmir equivalent to Nishan Haider.
