Havaldaar Lalak Jan Shaheed
Lalak Jan (1967-1999) is officially known as Havaldaar Lalak Jan Shaheed Nishan-i-Haider. He was born in Yasin, District Ghizer, in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. After schooling he joined the Pakistan army and was promoted to the rank of Havaladaar. As a junior officer of the Northern Light Infantry, he was one of those many who fought from the forefront to thwart heavy Indian attacks, in the Kargil War in 1999. He volunteered himself to be deployed on the front positions and driven back many aggressive ventures by the Indian army. On July 7, he sustained serious injuries as a result of heavy mortar shelling. But despite being injured, he retained his position and frustrated the assault. He, however, succumbed to his injuries at the same post he was defending. He was awarded with the Nishan-i-Haider, Pakistan’s top most military award given after death for bravery, for his dauntless courage and devotion. In the over a half-century's history of the country only 10 army men have been able to receive this gigantic award so far. He was the first person to get this highest award from the Northern Areas of Pakistan. He is also the first Ismaili in the country, who was honored with Nishan-i-Haider. Though the Aga Khan III was the founding president of the All India Muslim League, the founding party of Pakistan, but yet in the majority Sunni society, the Shia sect Ismailis are not considered in the mainstream.External linksNishan-E-HaiderPakistan's Northern Areas dilemma (BBC)Northern Areas Development GatewayPakistan's Northern AreasNorthern Pakistan's Karakoram & Hindukush MountainsThe Mountain Areas Conservancy ProjectGilgit MapLalak Jan 'Dohat' (1967 - 1999)
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