The 72nd martyrdom day of first recipient of Nishan-e-Haider Capt Raja Muhammad Sarwar will be observed on Monday (today) with devotion and respect.
Born on November 10, 1910 in Gujar Khan Tehsil of Rawalpindi, Raja Muhammad Sarwar was the son of Hawaldar Raja Hayat Khan. He joined Pakistan Army as sepoy and then joined Pak Army’s Engineers Corps. He was elevated to Company Commander of Punjab Regiment’s Battalion in 1946 and then promoted to Captaincy in 1947.
In retaliation to attack by the enemy country on Uri Sector of Azad Kashmir on July 27, 1948, Captain Raja Sarwar embraced martyrdom during his attack on enemy’s bunkers. He charged the enemy post under intense shelling and completed his objective. He did not let the enemy to react due to his daring act and sheer bravery. Led his men from front and engaged the enemy. March towards the Uri region of the Indian Kashmir was commenced under Capt Sarwar. He pushed the Indian forces from the Gilgit-Baltistan to Ladakh in Indian-held Kashmir on 26 July 1948. He faced off the strongly fortified enemy position located in the Uri sector. His passage was blocked due to the barbed wires and decided to move to cut the wires with only taking six men alongside. He used the bolt cutter to cut their barbed wires.
Capt Sarwar was the first recipient of Nishan-e-Haider.
