Muhammad Akram

Shaheed
Muhammad Akram
NH
Nickname(s) rakmi
Born 4 April 1938
Dinga, Gujrat District, British India belongs to village Nakka Kalan District Jhelum
Died 5 December 1971(1971-12-05) (aged 33)
Hili, Dinajpur, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh)
Buried at Bogra, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh)
Allegiance  Pakistan
Service/branch  Pakistan Army
Years of service 1956–1971
Rank Major
Unit 4 Frontier Force Regiment
Battles/wars Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards Nishan-e-Haider

Major Muhammad Akram (Urdu: محمد اکرم; c. 1938–1971), was a Pakistan Army officer who was posthumously awarded Pakistan military's highest decoration, the Nishan-e-Haider, for his actions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Akram was sent on several missions in the India-Pakistan War, and was killed in 1971 at the Battle of Hilli.[1]

Military career

Akram was the brave son from the land of Martyrs District of Jhelum. Ethnically, he belonged to the Awan cast of Pakistan. In 1959, Akram was accepted by the Pakistan Military Academy and eventually graduated in 1963. He gained a commission in 1963 as part of the 4th Frontier Force Regiment.[1] Akram participated in 1965 Indo-Pak September War as a Captain where he led several successful military operations against the Indian Army. While stationed in Lahore, Akram commanded a small company which led several decisive operations against the Indian Armed Forces.

In 1969, Akram was promoted to Major of the Pakistan Army. In 1971, Akram fought in the war against India. In the Battle of Hilli, his leadership, bravery and skilful strategising kept enemies at bay for five days and nights, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice (his death). Major Akram was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest military honour, for his heroic efforts.[2]

Martyrdom and legacy

Major Akram Shaheed Memorial

During the east Pakistan War of 1971, the 4th FF Regiment, which at that time was commanded by then Col. Muhammad Mumtaz Malik, was placed in the forward area of the Hilli Municipality (under Hakimpur Upozila, Dinajpur District), in what was then East Pakistan. The regiment came under continuous and heavy air, artillery and armour attacks from the Indian Army. Despite enemy superiority in both numbers and firepower, Akram and his men repulsed many attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.[2] Called the hero of Hilli, Major Muhammad Akram (N.H) was buried in the village of Boaldar, Thana/Upozila-Hakimpur (Banglahilly), District-Dinajpur. There is a monument, Major Akram Shaheed Memorial, in the midst of Jhelum city. Anjum Sultan Shahbaz, the famous writer and historian, has referred to Akram in his books Tareekh-e-Jhelum and Shohdai Jhelum.

Awards and decorations

Nishan-e-Haider (NH)

References

  1. 1 2 Pakistan Army Website, retrieved 10 February 2013
  2. 1 2 Shaheed Foundation Website, retrieved 10 February 2013
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