‘Gone but never forgotten’: Nation pays tribute to Major Shabbir Sharif

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 06 Jan 2023

Islamabad: Nation is paying tribute to the sacrifices of war hero, Major Shabbir Sharif on his 50th martyrdom anniversary Monday (December 6). 

Ex-Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif’s elder brother Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed is being remembered on his 50th death anniversary who was martyred during the Indo-Pak war in 1971.

Born on April 28, he studied at Government College Lahore and received a call to join Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul. He was thus commissioned in Pakistan Army on April 19, 1964 after successfully completing his training.

Shabbir Sharif was posted to the 6th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment. 

He embraced martyrdom while fighting the enemy at the Sulemanki Sector during the Indo-Pak War and was awarded the 'Nishan-e-Haidar' for his courage and bravery. 

On December 3, 1971, he was commanding a company of 6 FF Regiment near Sulemanki Headworks when he was assigned the task of capturing the high bund (ground) overlooking the Gurmukh Khera and Beriwala villages in the Sulemanki sector.

A total of 43 enemy soldiers were killed in this well-nigh superhuman action, and another 28 were taken prisoners. 

Moreover, four enemy tanks were also destroyed. 

Major Shabbir Shareef caused huge damage to the enemy troops and tanks embracing martyrdom on 6 December, 1971. 

At the time of martyrdom, Major Shabbir Shareef Shaheed was just 28-year old.