Ghulam Murtaza Malik (Shaheed)

Shaheed
Ghulam Murtaza
TJ
Native name Ghulam Murtaza Malik
Born 5 November 1941
Kahuta, Rawalpindi District, British India
Died 17 December 1971(1971-12-17) (aged 30)
Allegiance  Pakistan
Service/branch  Pakistan Air Force
Years of service 1958–1971
Rank Flight Lieutenant
Battles/wars Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards Tamgha-i-Jurat

Flight Lieutenant Ghulam Murtaza Malik (Urdu: ملک غلام مرتضی شہید) was born in a religious family of Malik Kala Khan; Kahuta, Rawalpindi.

Life and Early Education

He was born on 5 Nov 1941, in the Awan tribe of Kahuta. He received his early education from Govt High School Kahuta, Rawalpindi. He lost his father, while he was still in teens. His first cousin, Malik Habib became Federal Interior Minister of Pakistan – Interim Government in 2013.

Military career

He joined Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as an aircraft technician on June 19, 1958. As a promising aviator, Malik served on various flight lines and showed extraordinary performance. It was during these days that he developed a passion to become an officer of the PAF. His wish came true in June 1963 when he was selected to undergo officer training at Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur. Resilient Malik showed all round performance during training. After spending two eventful years at Academy, Malik earned his commission on January 30, 1966 and passed out as an operational navigator. Malik showed great potential in flying and soon earned enviable reputation among his peers.[1]

Indo-Pakistani War 1971

He was a very active member of the squadron and always showed great enthusiasm and determination. He flew two missions against the most heavily defended Indian airfields and showed great bravery and courage in the execution of these missions in complete disregard of personal safety. On 5 December 1971, he was detailed as navigator on a bombing mission to Amritsar airfield. As the crew dropped the bombs on the target, a barrage of lethal ack-ack fire struck the aircraft. Both the crew members ejected from the burning aircraft, inside the enemy territory. He received serious head injuries while ejecting. He fell unconscious during parachute descent and was later captured by the Indian troops. After being captured, he was admitted to a military hospital near New Delhi.[2]

Death

On December 17, 1971, the unsung hero met his eternal destiny at the hospital in New Delhi. The East Pakistan had fallen 24 hours before his demise. Soon the arrangements were made by the Indian authorities for the burial of the brave officer in line with the Muslim rituals.

Burial in Nizamuddin Auliya Graveyard

It was decided that the great soldier would be laid to rest in Nizamuddin Auliya graveyard, in Dehli. Pakistani flag, arranged from the Saudi Embassy at New Delhi, was wrapped around the casket of the martyr. He was put to rest in eternal abode in the presence of thousands of mourners. For his courage, determination and devotion to duty he has been awarded the Tamgha-i-Jurat.

Awards and decorations

Tamgha-i-Jurat (TJ)

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/22/2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.