Honouring Sept 1965 War Heroes: Lt Col Sahibzada Gul and Maj Muhammad Ashraf Khan

During the 1965 war, brave Pakistani soldiers continued to make great sacrifices while defending their country.

On the ninth day of the war, Pakistan Army Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul and Major Muhammad Ashraf Khan embraced martyrdom while fighting bravely against the enemy.

Major Muhammad Ashraf Khan belonged to a support battalion and was responsible for the defence of Sialkot. On September 8, his battalion inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

On September 9, Indian forces began advancing towards Sialkot Cantonment. After receiving information about the advance, Major Muhammad Ashraf Khan moved to stop the enemy and destroyed two enemy tanks.

While inspecting the battlefield in his jeep, Major Muhammad Ashraf Khan was hit by enemy fire and embraced martyrdom.

Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul was leading an armoured regiment. He bravely pushed the advancing Indian forces back towards the border in the Kasur sector and captured the Khem Karan sector on September 8.

On September 9, Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul began an operation to capture the Wal Thawa Railway Station. Despite strong resistance from the enemy, his forces successfully captured the station.

After the capture, the enemy launched a major attack to regain control of the railway station. Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul was martyred while defending the position.

In recognition of his bravery, Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat posthumously.

The names of Major Muhammad Ashraf Khan and Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul (Sitara-e-Jurat) will always be remembered with honour in the history of the September 1965 War.