Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday paid tribute to Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan e Haider) on 52nd anniversary of his martyrdom. The prime minister on social media platform-X, posted “Observing the 52nd anniversary of martyrdom of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan e Haider) today, we as a nation salute his undying courage.”
Rashid Minhas Shaheed’s act on 20 Aug 1971 preserved the national dignity and his legacy of valor remained undimmed, he added in his post.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Directorate General Public Relations has released a short documentary to pay homage to the country’s valiant son and the youngest recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed on his 52nd martyrdom anniversary. Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed was born on February 17, 1951. Having a dream of defing the aerial frontiers of the motherland, he got a commission on March 14, 1971, in the 51st GD (P) course.
He was later posted to No 2 Squadron stationed at Masroor for an Operational Conversion Course, where he was destined for sublime heights by Almighty Allah, a PAF news release said. On August 20, 1971, an unforgettable saga of bravery was crafted with his ultimate sacrifice. On this fateful day, Rashid vanquished the iniquitous intentions of his instructor pilot Flight Lieutenant Mati-ur-Rahman, who tried to hijack his training jet T-33 towards India.
Rashid battled to take back the aircraft’s controls and finally preferred to crash the plane before it could cross the border. The brave son of soil accepted to sacrifice his life but didn’t allow the country’s dignity to be tarnished.
In recognition of Rashid Minhas’s supreme sacrifice and indelible courage, the Government of Pakistan awarded him with the highest gallantry award Nishan-e Haider. He will always be remembered as an icon of bravery & sacrifice and will remain a beacon for our future generations.
