July 5 marks the martyrdom anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan, who was awarded Nishan-e-Haider for gallantry in the Kargil war. However, his heroics in the war were only the final act of a life that continuously featured dedication, bravery and leadership.

Sher Khan was born in Swabi in 1970 and enrolled in Pakistan Military Academy at 22 years of age. Two years later, in 1994, he was commissioned into the Sindh Regiment. The unit he joined is called ‘Sher Haideri’ because of him.

In his unit, Sher Khan excelled at everything from marksmanship to sports competitions, and often brought honours to his unit. Qasim, a subedar in his unit said that Sher Khan seemed to be built for tasks that were physically demanding, and he never shied away from them.

Another two years later in 1996, Sher Khan was promoted to the rank of captain. The unit organised a celebration for him, where he brought a model of G-3 rifle as a gift. The model is still kept by the unit.

In 1999, he volunteered for duty at the Line of Control, one of the most tense of all postings in the army. Sher Khan was part of the Northern Light Infantry that went to war with India in Kargil as the year progressed.

By July, the war still dragged on. Captain Karnal Sher Khan, along with 14 men, was entrusted with the difficult mission of breaking through enemy lines between two posts.

Entangled with enemy forces, Sher Khan and his men found another contingent of Indian forces moving towards Tiger Hill, a strategic target for armies from both countries. Although exhausted and outnumbered, Sher Khan decided to get in their way.

Brigadier M.P.S. Bajwa, who was in charge of the mission of capturing Tiger Hill later said that his army’s early advances made the target seem in reach, but Sher Khan and his men put up such a strong resistance that the Indian forces were frustrated.

“At one time, a situation arose wherein we had both our officers wounded, with three and 15 soldiers dead, besides 18 soldiers injured,” he later said. The Indian army knew that the only way ahead was through Sher Khan.

Sher Khan’s assault was so intense, that 8 Sikh battalion had to call for reinforcements. The more astonishing fact is that the main assault was made in broad daylight.

With odds worsening as the enemy brought reinforcements, Sher Khan and his men put up a valiant last stand. He was eventually martyred through sniper fire on July 5. Even at the time of his death, his finger was on the trigger of his gun.

Bajwa, who led the Indian assault, was so impressed by the resistance put up by Sher Khan that he wrote a letter praising his courage and recommending that his efforst be awarded.

Captain Karnal Sher Khan was eventually awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest award for gallantry given to those who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty.