Portrait of Naik Saif Ali HK
It was a special trip this time as it was to honour someone equally special. It was an 18 hour long continuous drive, part of which was through difficult terrain in remote Azad Kashmir to offer Fateha at the tomb of Neik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed. Sometime back I had repeatedly vowed to be there and on all such occasions a shadow of doubt always persisted challenging me of the distances involved and the remote access to Nakyal in Azad Kashmir. It was around midnight that we arrived at the tomb of the gallant soldier and I said in my heart "Neik Saif Ali, I am here at your doorstep, I have kept my promise". Neik Saif Ali Shaheed is the 9th recipient of Nishan e Haider, the highest gallantry award for Pakistan Armed Forces. He is an unsung hero who normally stays omitted from the regular recipients of Nishan e Haider. Having earned Azad Kashmir's highest award for Gallantry "The Hilal e Kashmir", Neik Saif Ali was officially recognized as the recipient of Nishan e Haider by Government of Pakistan in 1995. The picture is of the board inscribed with battle account installed at the tomb of Neik Safi Ali Shaheed, Nishan e Haider. The inscription reads: Saif Ali Janjua was born in village Khandaar near Nakyal in 1923. He got enrolled in British Indian Army in 1942. At the end of WWII, he returned back to his village and joined hands with Kashmiri people fighting for freedom. He fought numerous combats between Oct – Nov 1947. On Dec 1, 1947 he was recruited in 18 Azad Kashmir Battalion as Sepoy. Due to his gallant performance on active front, he was promoted to the rank of Neik on Sep 1, 1948 and was appointed Platoon Commander of Number 1 Platoon of B Company. Appointment on the post of Platoon Commander was a distinguished honour for the rank of a Neik. Neik Saif Ali’s platoon had taken up defences on Peer Kalewa Ridge which was under continuous attacks of enemy forces since Sep 20, 1948. Neik Saif Ali’s steadfastness as Platoon Commander helped Number 1 Platoon in repelling many attacks. On night 25-26 Oct, enemy’s 5th Infantry Brigade launched an attack on 18 Azad Kashmir Battalion with Artillery, Tanks and Air Force in direct support. Naik Saif Ali’s Platoon was encircled by the attacking force and lost contact with Battalion. Neik Saif Ali, while commanding his Platoon independently responded with heavy fire on the enemy. He himself led from front taking control of a Light Machine Gun and inflicting casualties through effective fire bursts. A number of thrusts from attacking force were successfully repulsed by Neik Saif Ali’s Platoon. Enemy forces after regrouping launched a major offensive on the Platoon by 3’o’clock in the afternoon. The platoon fought back bravely inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking forces. Neik Saif Ali while firing from his Machine Gun shot down an enemy fighter aircraft. The heavy attack launched in daylight by the enemy was successfully repulsed by the Platoon under gallant leadership of Neik Saif Ali. The platoon was regrouped after the attack was repulsed and the position reorganized. At this time during a barrage of Artillery and Air gunfire, a round from enemy artillery gun directly hit Neik Saif Ali in chest and he embraced shahadat. Due to unmatched display of leadership and gallantry in the face of danger, Neik Saif Ali was awarded Hilal e Kashmir (the highest gallantry award in Azad Kashmir) by Azad Kashmir Government on Mar 12, 1949. On Nov 30, 1995, Government of Pakistan officially declared Hilal e Kashmir to be equivalent of Nishan e Haider, making Naik Saif Ali Janjua the 9th recipient of the highest gallantry award of Armed Forces of Pakistan. Kboom & Ladla: The trip was only made possible because of your companionship. The feelings expressed above acknowledge you both having a larger share than that of mine. Thank you Friends.