Month: August 2009

Dr Hamid Hussain is my very dear friend.

He has stood by me and helped me morally and materially and I am under heavy debt of all that he did for me.

He is a sensitive man and keeps on sending me his articles and these obituaries.

My only question is that these young men have been killed because Pakistans hopeless generals and politicians decided to fight USA’s war against USSR from 1954.

Why did the clown Zia decided to fight the proxy US and Saudi Afghan war for lust of US Dollars ?

Why was this region militarised.

I dont question US policy because USA is paying hard cash to Pakistans highly corrupt politicians to fight this so called war.

As I see Pakistan is the South Vietnam now and will become a big strategic liability for the world when the Islamic Extremists become more more and more powerful.Or is that the real US strategic aim to then denuclearise Pakistan.

As I see the whole US strategy is flawed.In Afghanistan and Pakistan.It is creating more problems than solving.

God knows what will become of Pakistan.The choice is between Somalia and Yugoslavia.

A country led by crooks and swindlers of the worst order surely deserves this fate ?

I will request Dr Hamid Hussain to address this question of mine.

Agha Amin
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Captain Omer Zeb Afzal

Captain Omerzeb was from 111th PMA Long Course. He was commissioned in 9 Azad Kashmir Regiment (AK).

He was deployed in Lower Dir on May 11, 2009 as part of the military operation named ‘Rah-e-Rast’ against militants.

He called his fiancée at midnight of May 20-21 and wished her a very happy birthday. In six different languages he sang to her birthday song. She said to him, “I wish you were here on my birthday. I wish I could have celebrated my birthday with you.” And he replied, “Do you want me to come over? Should I come over to Rawalpindi in the morning and we celebrate your birthday together?” She said, yes, please, please do.” Few hours later, he was killed in a blast on May 21, 2009 at the age of 24. That day was the birthday of his fiancée.

He did come over as he promised but on the shoulders of soldiers and his coffin draped in Pakistani flag. He left this world on the same day that his beloved fiancée came to this world twenty three years earlier. His fiancée kept screaming, “You guys are lying to me. He is not dead. He cannot leave me. He promised to celebrate 93 birthdays with me. This was our first. He can’t leave me on our first birthday together; he promised me 93 birthdays together.”

Rose

If I should cease to bring a Rose

Upon a festal day,

‘Twill be because beyond the Rose

I have been called away….

If I should cease to take the names

My buds commemorate,

‘Twill be because death’s finger

Claps my murmuring lip.

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Rest in peace Omerzeb. Our thoughts & prayers with his family and loved ones.

Regards,

Hamid

(Thanks to a family member for providing this heartbreaking story of a young lad)

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Captain Waqas Zameer

Captain Waqas Zameer was serving with 15 Frontier Force (FF) in Swat. He was stationed at Kanju camp with his Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). He was due for home leave but was asked to lead a search operation against militants. Waqas was commanding three APCs and infantry troops from 6th Azad Kashmir (AK) Regiment. His convoy was ambushed and in a gun battle which lasted several hours, many soldiers were injured. After evacuating injured soldiers, Waqas ordered disengagement. In the meantime, another soldier was hit. Waqas jumped out of his APC, put injured soldier on his shoulders to get him inside APC when he was shot in the chest. He later died at the age of 24. He brought 15 of his injured soldiers back to safety but in the process gave the ultimate sacrifice.

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you

For a little while;

Please do not grieve

And shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow

To you through the years.

But start out bravely

With a gallant smile;

And for my sake,

And in my name.

Live on and do

All things the same

Feed not your loneliness

On empty days.

But fill each waking hour

In useful ways.

Reach out your hand

In comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you

And hold you near;

And never, never

Be afraid to die,

For I’m waiting

For you in the sky.

Helen Steiner Rice

Click the link below for four and half minute summary of a 24 year life full of vigor of this young lad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPPZCWi1et8

Rest in peace Waqas. Army & PIFFERS are proud of you. Our thoughts & prayers with the family and loved ones.

Regards,

Hamid

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Lieutenant Muhammad Asim

Lieutenant Asim was from Mardan district of N.W.F.P. He passed out from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in the summer of 2006 from 27th Graduate Course. He was commissioned in 36th Azad Kashmir (AK) Regiment. His battalion was stationed in Shangla, Swat in Operation al-Mizan. Asim’s vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). After one week in coma, Asim died in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Abbottabad on August 31, 2008.

Following link summarizes his short life from PMA to his final journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inq5AuMxPX8

Loving Memories by Unknown

Your gentle face and smile

With sadness we recall,

You had a kindly word for each

And died beloved by all.

The voice is mute and stilled the heart

That loved us well and true,

Ah, bitter was the trial to part

From so good as you.

You are not forgotten loved one

Nor will you ever be

As long as life and memory last

We will remember thee.

We miss you now, our hearts are sore,

As time goes by we miss you more,

Your loving smile, your gentle face,

No one can fill your vacant place.

Rest in peace Asim. Our thoughts and prayers with Asim’s family and loved ones.

Regards,

Hamid

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Captain Junaid Khan 1983-2009

Captain Junaid Khan of Special Services Group (SSG) laid down his life for his country in Swat Operation. He along with three others was on a reconnaissance mission to collect information about extremists operating in Khwazakhela area of Swat. They were captured by militants and later brutally killed. The other three who fought and died together with Junaid included Captain Najam Riaz, Naik Shahid Rasool and Lance Naik Shakeel (all from SSG). Junaid died on his birthday at the age of 26. Professor Ayaz Khan buried his only son and his life changed for ever.

‘In peace, sons bury fathers but war violates the order of nature, and fathers bury sons’. Heroditus, Greek Historian

May God bless Junaid. Our thoughts and prayers with his family.

Regards,

Hamid

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Captain Qamar Abbas (May 30, 1981-May 12, 2009)

Captain Qamar Abbas was commissioned in 40 Field Artillery. He was also Hafiz-e-Quran (memorized Quran by heart). Soldiers usually die on frontlines far away from their homes sometimes in strange and alien lands. Captain Qamar Abbas was born in Swat and he died in Swat fighting against extremists two weeks short of his 28th birthday.

Home, Sweet Home

Alas, I didn’t know that I’ll be coming back

Back to hamlets, villages and alleys where I was born

To fight the demons who have stolen the smiles from the faces of my compatriots.

Rest in peace Qamar. Our thoughts and prayers with the family & friends.

Regards,

Hamid

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Major Zia-ul-Haq

Major Zia-ul-Haq passed out from 95th PMA Long Course and joined 16 Baloch Regiment of Pakistan army. He was killed in action in recent operations. He passed out on May 14, 1995 and died in the same month in 2009.

Major Zia’s father died when Zia was only 18 month old. His widow mother raised him and after three decades the journey of her life came to a tragic cross road again. Major Zia’s son is six year old and daughter two and half year old. The old eyes of Zia’s mother are now looking at her daughter-in-law who has to travel on the same road lonely raising the next generation. Zia’s children have to grow up without father reliving the life of their dad.

Sacrifice

Few have sacrificed their life

To redeem the honor;

And to pay for the sins of others.

Indeed a heavy price;

The interest is paid by even the children of those gone with the wind.

Zia; Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers with the family.

Regards,

Hamid

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Havaldar Qamar Ilyas & Sepoy Siddiq Akbar

Havaldar Qamar Ilyas was serving with elite Anti-Terrorist Squad and killed in action. He was from Sargodha and was married only ten days before his death. A young girl only had ten short happy days together with this young lad before he departed on a long journey.

Sepoy Siddiq Akbar was native of a small village of Babairai near Mardan. He was killed in action on May 06, 2009. He was married one year ago. One frame in his room shows two pictures; himself in uniform and his young bride in her chador. Memories of one short year will now be with this young bride for years to come.

These two wives of soldiers are from different ethnic backgrounds and live hundreds of miles away from each other but their pain is same. Tears rolling down their beautiful faces silently will be known to very few of their countrymen and life around them will go as normal but they will never again be normal.

Soldier’s Wife

I’ll light a candle in my window

Though I know you have gone too far;

And not coming back.

But I’ll keep that candle burning

Until we meet again in heavens.

Goodbye my beloved;

You know you are my true love.

Rest in peace Qamar & Siddiq Akbar. Our thoughts and prayers with the family and loved ones of Havaldar Qamar Ilyas & Sepoy Siddiq Akbar.

Regards,

Hamid

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Captain Bilal Zafar Abbasi (1983-2009) – Lineages of Valor

Captain Bilal was from 108th Pakistan Military Academy ( PMA) Long course. He excelled during training and held coveted position of Battalion Junior Under Officer in the academy. He was commissioned in 42 Baloch (nick named al-Havi). Later, he joined elite Special Services Group (SSG). He was part of a SSG operation code named ‘Janbaz’ to clear heights occupied by militants in Peochar valley. SSG company led by Major Sardar was given the task of clearing Swat-Peochar road. Bilal’s team was assigned the task of clearing ‘Ghazano Sar’ top. Bilal was hit by a rocket launcher and killed in action on May 17, 2009 . The height is now named after him and called ‘Bilal Top’.

Bilal sent a text message from his cellular phone the night before his death to his colleague Captain Raheel which read, “in the roars of bullets, in the thunder of bombs, there are few who just do not stop….. knowing that they are surrounded by death….. knowing that they could leave their parents and family alone….. But they just keep on moving… because in their hearts and following through their veins known as ….. HONOUR, DEVOTION, LOVE WITH MOTHERLAND, DEATH BEFORE DISGRACE, PAKISTAN ARMY ZINDABAD”.

Bilal was from a family with long history of service in armed forces dating back a century. Bilal’s great grand father Subedar Lal Khan served in First World War and won George Cross. His grand father Tajjamal Hussain retired as Colonel and his father Zafar Tajjamal Abbasi was Captain in Pakistan army. Bilal’s maternal grandfather was Major Majeed. Bilal’s brother Captain Zawar Zafar Abbasi is also serving with SSG.

My Boy Jack (1916)

Have you news of my boy Jack?’
Not this tide.
‘When d’you think that he’ll come back?’
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

‘Has any one else had word of him?’
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

‘Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?’
None this tide;
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind –
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.

Then hold your head up all the more,

This tide,
and every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!

Rudyard Kipling, 1916

Rest in peace Bilal. Our thoughts & prayers with Bilal’s family and loved ones.

Regards,

Hamid

(Captain Bilal’s family information is from Hilal, June 2009)

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Captain Meraj Muhammad Khan (1985-2009)

Captain Meraj was from the village of Garo Shah of Mardan. He got his early education from cadet college Razmak. He joined 112th Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course and passed out with the sword of honor. He was the first Razmian to win the sword of honor. After passing out from the academy, he was commissioned in 12th Cavalry (this is an old cavalry regiment which was formed with the amalgamation of two elite irregular cavalry regiments; 2nd Punjab Irregular Cavalry raised by Lieutenant Samuel Brown and 5th Punjab Irregular Cavalry raised by Captain Robert Fitzpatrick. 2nd became 22nd and 5th became 25th and 12th Cavalry emerged from amalgamation of 22nd and 25th. It was part of Frontier Force band of brothers. In 1937, 12th Cavalry became permanent training regiment of 2nd Indian Cavalry Group and taken out of order of battle. Pakistan brought 12th Cavalry back to the order of battle.

Meraj was a rising star of the Armored Corps but he volunteered for the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) N.W.F.P. He was part of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of FC. This is an elite unit which serves as a Rapid Reaction Force of FC. Meraj participated in many operations of SOG in Ambela Pass, Daggar and Sultanwas.

On June 04, 2009, a security convoy of police and FC was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Rustam near Mardan injuring many. SOG of FC led by Major Asad rushed to the spot and chased the militants. In the ensuing gun battle, policemen, FC personnel and army officers fought together and died together. Meraj was killed in this encounter. Others who sacrificed their lives in this encounter included Naik Ameer Hakim Chitrali, Havaldar Imran Ali Wazir and Sepoy Mehboob and Sepoy Nasrullah of FC, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Fareed Hussain Bangash, Station House Officer (SHO) Sherullah Khan , Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Hanan Khan and two police constables; Laiq Shah & Nazir Khan.

Meraj was engaged on December 06, 2008 and was due to get married in October 2009. Meraj qualified for a special operations course in U.S. and was scheduled to leave on June 12. However, just a week before he embarked on a much longer journey. In a befitting manner, five brave men of FC who died together were given final goodbye together when their flag draped coffins were lined up for funeral prayers. All were from different areas of Pukhtunkhwa (Naik Ameer from Chitral, Havaldar Imran from Waziristan and Meraj from Mardan) and in an ironic twist their lives were cut short by their own who have been possessed by the devil. However, death has brought all these men honor. FC and nation should be proud of these men and if peace comes to the haunted lands of Pushtuns and Pakistan it will be due to the blood of these men who gave up everything to secure their homeland.

Born in Mardan; died in Mardan protecting his own folk. Rest in peace Meraj along with your comrades. Our thoughts & prayers with the family.

‘We challenged Death. He threw with weighted dice.

We laughed and paid the forfeit, glad to play-

Being recompensed beyond our sacrifice

With that nor Death nor Time can take away.’

Robert Ernest Vernede

Regards,

Hamid