Shafqat Baloch
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Saviour of Lahore Shafqat Baloch | |
|---|---|
| Born | Machhar Khadi , Sargodha |
| Died | 13 August , 2010 |
| Buried | Machhar Khadi , Sargodha |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Service/ |  Pakistan Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 17 Baloch Regiment |
| Commands held | 17 Baloch Regiment |
| Known for | Defender of Lahore 1965 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | 2x Sitara-e-Jurat |
Colonel Shafqat Baloch SJ, best known as Major Shafqat Baloch, was a Pakistani military officer who is known as the "Saviour of Lahore" , for his gallantry and actions of valor during the Second Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat two times , First in 1965 and Second in 1971.[1][2]
Early life[edit]
Colonel Shafqat Baloch was born in Sargodha, Punjab,into a Baloch family . His native village was Machhar Khadi which is located in outskirts of Sargodha.[1]
1965 War[edit]
Pakistani account[edit]
On 6 September 1965 , at 1 A.M , Major Shafqat Baloch was moving towards the assigned position along with 90 of his troops, belonging to the 17th Punjab regiment.[3] The troops were moving carefully amidst reports of Indian incursions . All of a sudden there was a loud burst of a machine gun coming from a military post of the Pakistan Rangers. The Major issued orders to move towards the post and on the way, he met a Rangers troop who broke the news of Indian assault, the overrunning of Gwanti post[4] and the death of many from his unit including the Major. The Ranger was going to inform the higher command but their telephone was damaged.
Major ordered the troops to entrench themselves near the Ichhogil Canal in the outskirts of Hudaira village.[4] They heard the noises of Indian infantry and Tank regiments. Pakistanis were outnumbered but Major wanted to put up a fight.
The Major climbed to a position from where he could observe the Indians, while waiting for the indian troops to come closer, an Indian sniper shot the Major injuring his left arm.
Major requested artillery support but the Battalion headquarters was hesitant over fears of Friendly Fire.
The Major told the coordinates to his CO Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim and requested artillery fire.
Major directed the artillery precisely at the indian troops inflicting heavy casualties as they had no idea about Pakistani presence. Then the Pakistani Anti tank crews destroyed two indian tanks followed by a rigorous infantry assault. The Indians had no choice but to retreat.[4]
Pakistani troops were able to establish a definite frontline halting the Indian offensive. On September 7, Major and his comrades were ordered to come back and partake in the Battle of Barki while Major Aziz Bhatti was dispatched to the BRB front.
Major was taken to the GOC Major General Sarfraz Khan and asked about the casualties to which he responded with 2 killed and few wounded.
General was surprised and not believing, so he asked the major to rest, to which major responded by politely replying "Sir you can count my men".
Major's actions stalled the front for 17 days till the ceasefire agreement was reached. For his acts of bravery, he was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat.
Indian Account[edit]
Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh in his account of the battle[5] states that he was the GOC of 7th Infantry Division with the task of capturing the BRB Canal , stated that Major Baloch was right about the casualties. After ceasefire and availability of new information, it became evident that Indians had suffered about 400 causalities. Later, Major Baloch was ordered by his seniors to settle the ceasefire line. He crossed the BRB Canal and reached the Indian positions. Major Puri, Commander of the infantry and Major Hira Singh, commander of the armour congratulated him for putting up a tough resistance. The ceasefire conditions were accepted without arguments.
Later life[edit]
Shafqat Baloch was promoted to Lt Colonel and served in 1971 war in East Pakistan briefly but was removed from service there. He was promoted to Colonel and received his second Sitara e Jurat. One reason for his removal could be that he didn't want to do warcrimes on Bengali Populace as Baloch soldiers were known to be much friendlier to Bengalis then other Pakistani Personal especially Pashtuns and Punjabis.
He died of heart attack on 13 August 2010 at CMH Rawalpindi. He was buried in Machhar Khadi, in Sargodha.[6]
In Popular culture[edit]
He was also depicted as a Major War Hero in the movie "Saya e Khuda e Zuljalal" casting Asad Malik as Major Shafqat[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "1965 War hero Shafqat Baloch dies". The Nation. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "The Battle at Hudiara". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Ayub Khan Saidookhail (1967). Hero Among Heroes. Saidookhail Traders.
- ^ a b c Pakistan Meets Indian Challenge. Al Mukhtar Publishers. 1967. p. 119.
- ^ Singh, Lt Gen Harbakhsh (1991). War Despatches: Indo–Pak Conflict 1965. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-1-935501-59-6.
- ^ "1965 War hero Shafqat Baloch dies". The Nation. 13 August 2010.
- ^ "Saya-i-Khudaye Zul Jilal is not just another War movie, producers say".