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Major
Abid — A hero to his last breath
Unfortunately the Pakistan Army has
been the butt of public criticism during the last few years. People
forget that the Pakistan Army and its valiant soldiers have always
been injecting fresh blood in the national polity by their
inimitable sacrifices, be it floods, earthquakes or war against the
enemy.
The same spirit of sacrifice and
valour is being exhibited in the ongoing operation against
militants. The heroic story of Major Abid Majeed bears testimony to
this reality. On the fateful morning of May 18, 2009, Major Abid
Majeed’s brother Major Khalid was entrusted the task of recurring
the area from Shalpalam to Jura whereas Major Abid Majeed’s company
was responsible for securing the area from Jura to Nazarabad. Major
Khalid’s company successfully secured the area followed by Major
Abid Majeed.
Thereafter Major Abid Majeed’s
company was ordered to more forward. Thirteen vehicles of the
company moved to safety however the last vehicle came under heavy
and precise firing, near a ‘nullah’ bend, by militants.
The driver of the vehicle embraced
martyrdom there and then. No more movement was possible as the route
was blocked. The forward troops tried to move back and rescue the
trapped soldiers, however due to accurate and effective firing by
militants the movement was not possible. It was then at 1645 hrs
that Major Abid Majeed decided to move back himself. He took two
soldiers, the first aid kit and a water bottle and ordered his
company to engage the militants. In the rain of bullets, he rushed
to the site, dragged the two bleeding soldiers Sepoy Tariq and Sepoy
Nausherwan to a place of safety. He immediately poured water into
their mouths and then started bandaging them to stop the flow of
blood.
In the meantime, his shoulder got
exposed and he was shot at. Not bothered by it, he kept himself
engaged in the task of bandaging. The second bullet hit his ribs,
but it too failed to prevent him from completing his task. Unmoved
by the blood gushing out of his wounds, he dragged soldiers to a
safer place. In the process, he was hit by three bullets and fell
down.
While bleeding profusely, he took the
wireless to talk to his brother Major Khalid (for the last time),
who was 100 metres away. “Brother I have to pay so much to so and
so, do not forget it. Take care of the mother and under no
circumstances leave the job of eliminating the miscreants
incomplete. I wish I could march onto Mingora and see it clear of
the militants”. And then he succumbed to his injuries but he managed
to save the lives of two soldiers.
Sepoy Tariq and Nowsharwan cannot
control their tears at the mention of Major Abid Majeed’s name. The
only words they utter are “Why Major Sahib why not us”.
The News: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 |
