Capt Muhammad Iqbal Shaheed (HJ): A role model for young army officers remembered on Pakistan defense day

PESHAWAR, Sep 06 (APP): Rich tributes were paid to Captain Muhammad Iqbal Khan Shaheed (Hilal-e-Jurat) on the 59th defence day of Pakistan for his indomitable courage and heroic battlefield performance at Siachin glaciers where he embraced martyrdom on September 25, 1987.
“Majority of people die on the bed others in road accidents but few lay their lives for the noble cause of defending their motherland and become immortal.
Captain Muhammad Iqbal Khan Shaheed (Hilal-e-Juraat) Shaheed was one of the brave officers of the Pakistan Army, who on the world’s highest battle zone Siachin embraced martyrdom on September 25, 1987, defending his country against the enemy and immortalized himself forever,” said Brigadier Retd Mahmood Khan, former Secretary Law and Order Fata while talking to APP.
“Death is inexorable. One can die in a road accident or suffer the last rigorous interminably on a Charpoy (bed) but I want to face death and look it in the eye like a true warrior,” the 27-year old young army officer, who died as bachelor, told his friends and relatives just two months before leaving the mortal world.
Born in Pashtoon Garhi in district Nowshera on November 15, 1960 at Haji Mir Ahmad Khan’s residence, he got Commission in the Pakistan Army’s ASC in 1982. He faced enemy at an altitude of above 21,000 feet at Siachen glaciers and fought like a lion. “He faced two enemies-the indian Army and the harsh weather-with steadfastness, bravery and strong determination,” said Brigadier Mahmood Shah.
Shams Khan, brother of Capt Iqbal Shaheed said that he was pious and a man of good moral character and whenever came home, he would hug Shabbar, our servant irrespective of his clothes’ conditions and little keeping in mind that he (Iqbal) is in an officer.
Shams said just two months before his martyrdom, Capt Iqbal wrote his last famous will and handed it over to his childhood friend Ghayasuddin and told him not to disclose it before his death.
The will of Capt Iqbal says: “I owe 16 days of fasting and took a bank loan of Rs. 900 from a fund reserved for science student. The administration block of Peshawar University would have the necessary particulars. I owe this amount and it must be paid to the Bank.”
The will further said, “My grave should be left unplastered and let it be only as high as the Shariah allows. No flowers, no sehra, no dupatta for my grave. All these are rituals and quite outside of Islamic teachings. Prayer is the real thing. There should be nothing like a chehlum or anniversary for me. Don’t cook rice and call people and give alms on these occasions. Nothing of the sort is permitted by Islamic injunctions. Charity can be given at any time and is not necessary on these occasions. Instead of cooking rice and calling people, let the amount be spent on paving a street constructing a drain or giving it to a mosque. This way it will be a continuing charity. There is no need for exhibition and ostentation, which will not be a blessing but a curse. If the amount received from the government after my death is of the order of Rs.50000 or more, fully Rs.40,000 be distributed amongst the poor and the deprived as an atonement for the prayers I did not offer and the fast I did not keep. Stop my relatives from doing anything un-Islamic after my death. If they want to cook a deg (rice) on a Friday or do something similar, don’t let them. Let the amount be given in alms on another occasion. Anyone wanting to do me good after my death should recite Darood Sharif on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as often as possible and offer its blessings for my soul.”
He also wrote the following last testament: “Let the green pack and the high-neck jersey go back to company stores and the bills for “langar” (mess), washerman and cobbler be paid.”
Shams said that later on August 23, 1987, Capt Iqbal wrote his last letter to Gayasuddin asking him to pray to Allah Almighty for his good health, grant him the courage to follow the right path and serve Islam and bestow him the life of a victorious Ghazi or the death of a Shaheed.
Brigadier (Retd) Rasheed Malik (Sitara-e-Juraat), the then captain and was accompanying Capt Iqbal in the ‘Qiadat’ operation said “We received orders to take back the control of the highest posts of Rana and Akbar in Siachin. The enemy was monitoring our activities from these posts and created problems as these posts were of prime strategic importance,” he recalled.
“We took control of Rana’s post but the majority of members of our party either embraced martyrdom or received injuries including Capt Saalik Cheema (Sitara-e-Juraat) Shaheed during this operation. We asked for help and Capt Iqbal was directed to reach for our assistance. He reached swiftly and led his platoon from the front side to take control of Rana post” the eye-witnessed Brigadier recalled.
Brigadier Rasheed said that he (Rasheed) and Capt Imran were seriously wounded while leading their platoons from the right and left sides respectively while taking control of Rana’s post. He said the valiant Captain Iqbal was almost alone now on the battlefield and fought like a chivalrous warrior and took control of Rana’s post despite receiving serious injuries.
Brig Malik said that Captain Iqbal was further directed to proceed towards the Akbar post to disconnect the communication and transportation line of the enemy between the two posts and if possible take control of the Akbar post, as without it victory would be meaningless.
During the operation, he said Captain Iqbal received bullet injuries on his legs but did not lose courage and determination and proceeded forward. He destroyed several bunkers of the enemy and was about to take control of the Akbar post but due to inclement weather, he came under heavy enemy fire and artillery shell and embraced Shahadat.
He said that Capt Iqbal was a symbol of courage, and valor and was a highly motivated person. “He was a true Momin and death was meaningless for him,” he said.
Every year the death anniversary of the chivalrous Captain Iqbal Shaheed was observed with great reverence and respect but quite simplicity as his grave in Pashtoon Garhi has no epitaph, no flowers no sehra and no dupatta in consonance with his last will.
The people, relatives and friends arrived at the residence of Capt Iqbal Shaheed on the defence day at Pashtoon Ghari where his relatives arranged Quran Khwani for eternal peace of the Shaheed Captain and offered Dua for his eternal peace.