Pakistan Military Honors National Hero Rashid Minhas on His Martyrdom Anniversary

Top military leadership and the armed forces of Pakistan on Wednesday marked the 54th martyrdom anniversary of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas (Nishan-e-Haider), honoring his unmatched bravery and sacrifice that continues to inspire the nation.

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu paid rich tribute to the young officer, whose selfless act remains a shining chapter in Pakistan’s history.

On this day in 1971, Rashid Minhas displayed extraordinary courage, choosing martyrdom over surrender to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty. His patriotism and sacrifice have been remembered as an enduring source of inspiration for both the armed forces and the people of Pakistan.

Military leaders reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the values that Minhas valiantly defended, noting that his “historic act of valor, choosing sacrifice over surrender, continues to illuminate our national conscience as a timeless reminder of the price of freedom.”

The armed forces emphasized that “Rashid Minhas’s name shall forever be enshrined in the nation’s history as a symbol of loyalty, courage, and pride.”