Today is the 55th day of martyrdom of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Nishan Haider who sacrificed his life on the front lines to defend the motherland in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
Shaheed Raja Aziz Bhatti was born in Hong Kong on August 6, 1923. He joined the Pakistan Army on January 21, 1948. He was commissioned in the Punjab Regiment. He received the Sword of Honor and Norman Gold Medal in addition to the Best Cadet Award and was promoted. While doing so, he became a major in 1956.
When India tried to advance towards Pakistan in 1965, this Mujahid proved to be a leaden wall of the nation. Aziz Bhatti Shaheed along with 28 officers and soldiers of the 17th Punjab Regiment gritted the teeth of the enemy.
When India invaded Pakistan on September 6, 1965, Major Aziz Bhatti was commanding a company in the Burki area in the Lahore sector. Two platoons of this company were stationed on the other side of the BRB canal. Major Aziz Bhatti decided to proceed with the platoon stationed on the other side of the canal.
In a situation where the enemy was attacking relentlessly and had the full support of artillery and tanks. Major Aziz Bhatti and his men continued to fight with iron will and remained steadfast in their position.
On the night between 9th and 10th September, the enemy sent an entire battalion to launch a full-scale attack on the entire sector. Major Aziz Bhatti was ordered to return to his side of the canal in this situation, but when he reached the bank of the canal fighting and making his way, the enemy had captured the place and he launched a very serious attack. He led the enemy out of the area and then stood under the enemy until all his men and vehicles reached the other side of the canal.
He reorganized the company on this side of the canal. The enemy was firing indiscriminately with their weapons, tanks and cannons, but Raja Aziz Bhatti not only faced severe pressure but also retaliated.
Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was watching the movement of the enemy through binoculars on September 12 at 9.30 am when a steel bullet of the tank pierced his chest. He was martyred on the front of Burki.
He was awarded Nishan Haider for the bravery of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti. Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed was the third grandson of Pakistan to receive this award.
Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed was the beacon of this great family which lit two more torches, one was Haider and the only soldier who got the mark of courage was Major Shabir Sharif while the other was General Raheel Sharif who has been the former Army Chief.
Hero of Pakistan army