Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was another courageous and braves Pakistani Officer who was awarded with Nishan e Haider (Pakistan Army’s highest Medal) during 1971 war with India in East Pakistan Theater.
Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was born in Gujrat district of Pakistani Punjab province in a village called Dinga. During 1959 he joined Pakistan Military Academy (which is a four-year coeducational federal service military academy in Kakul near Abbottabad) and took his graduation degree from there in 1963. Afterwards he was commissioned in Frontier Force Regiment.
When war broke out in 1965 between India and Pakistan Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was appointed in Lahore sector where he defended his area from Indian troops brilliantly. The outcome was the success of Pakistani army and Indians repulsed with heavy causalities.
During 1969 Muhammad Akram Shaheed was promoted to the rank of Major. In the subsequent years the situation in East Pakistan was getting worse. The Indian troops were consistently penetrating inside East Pakistan Border and were sponsoring a terrorist organization “Mukti Bahni” to destabilize Pakistani establishment in East Pakistan. Sooner they started an open campaign against Pakistan in the form of a war. With the start of war the fate had decided for which Muhammad Akram Shaheed was meant for. It was his time it was time to know enemy the true power of Pakistan.
During war Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed with his 4th Frontier Force Regiment was stationed in Hilli, Dinajpur District of East Pakistan. His regiment was facing both aerial bombardment and heavy artillery fire from enemy. The Indian army was also inflicting armor attacks on Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed regiment. Even with numerical superiority and excessive use of firepower the Indian Army failed to gain any control. Not only their attacks were repulsed at every occasion from the brave Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed and his unit but also suffered heavy casualties. During this onslaught Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed also embraced shahadat (Martyrdom). However he served his purpose as enemy failed to gain any momentum.
Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was buried in Hakimpur, Dinajpur District of East Pakistan. Not only he is awarded with Nishan e Haider but also a monument is constructed in Jhelum city to commemorate him. It’s Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed Memorial.
He is regarded as Hero of Hilli.
