Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed, recipient of the Hilal-e-Kashmir, regarded as equivalent to Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Haider, is being remembered on his 78th martyrdom anniversary, with the armed forces and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paying tribute to his extraordinary courage and supreme sacrifice in defence of the homeland.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, and Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamir Raza paid homage to the fallen hero on behalf of the armed forces.
During the 1948 war, Naik Saif Ali Janjua defended the strategically important Pir Kalewa Ridge, confronting repeated enemy assaults with exceptional courage and determination, the military’s media wing said.
Despite coming under intense pressure, he refused to retreat and continued leading his troops in the defence of the position. He embraced martyrdom while performing his duty, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, steadfastness and devotion to the country.
In his message marking the anniversary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation paid heartfelt tribute to Naik Saif Ali Janjua for his exemplary courage and heroic sacrifice.
The prime minister said the soldier continued to lead his troops bravely despite being wounded and fought the enemy until his last breath.
He described the martyr’s sacrifice as a source of national pride, saying Janjua had honoured his identity as a son of the Kashmir Valley through his extraordinary commitment to the defence of the homeland.
The prime minister added that his sacrifice reflected an exceptional love for the country and would continue to inspire future generations.
According to ISPR, Naik Saif Ali Janjua’s courage and sacrifice embody the armed forces’ bravery, resilience and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The military’s media wing said the nation would continue to remember the sacrifices of its martyrs, whose service and devotion would remain a guiding light for generations to come.
