SWABI: Glowing tributes were paid to the Kargil war hero Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed on his 24th martyrdom anniversary, which was marked here on Wednesday.

Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat Khan along with inspector general of Frontier Corps (North) and commander Force Command Northern Areas laid floral wreath at the mausoleum of the recipient of Nishan-i-Haider, the highest military award, in his native town here, according to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations, the army’s media wing.

The floral wreath was laid on the hero’s grave on behalf of Army Chief Gen Asim Munir.

A smartly-turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour on the occasion and people from different walks of life, civil and military officials and relatives of Shuhada attended the wreath-laying ceremony.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tributes to Captain Karnal Sher Khan, saying he was such a brave son of the soil whose courage, valour and bravery was confessed by the enemy itself, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The prime minister condemned the May 9 incidents, when memorials and statues of Captain Karnal Sher Khan and other martyrs were desecrated. Another ISPR press release said Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza paid glowing tribute to Karnal Sher Khan, saying his stellar leadership and courage ‘beckons us to defend Pakistan at all cost.

Meanwhile, Ataullah Tarar, special assistant to the prime minister for legal and home affairs, also visited Sher Khan Shaheed’s memorial and offered Fateha for departed soul. He also met with his brothers.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2023