Nation observes martyrdom anniversary of Major Aziz Bhatti today

RAWALPINDI: The martyrdom anniversary of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (Nishan Haider), a hero of the September 1965 war, is being observed today.

Born on August 6, 1928, in Hong Kong, Raja Aziz Bhatti’s family settled in his native village, Ludian, in the Gujrat district before the formation of Pakistan. Raja Aziz Bhatti joined the Pakistan Military Academy on January 21, 1948.

In 1950, in the passing out parade of the first regular course of the Pakistan Military Academy, he was awarded the best cadet award by Shaheed Millat Khan Liaquat Ali Khan for his excellent performance, in addition to the award of the Sword of Honor and the Norman Gold Medal.

Raja Aziz Bhatti also went to Canada in 1952 for advanced military training. He served in Jhelum and Kohat as GS Second Operations from 1957 to 1959.

From 1960 to 1962, he was associated with the Punjab Regiment, while from 1962 to 1964, he was associated with the Infantry School, Quetta.

He served as the second in command from January 1965 to May 1965. In the 1965 war, Raja Aziz Bhatti was posted as a company commander on the banks of the BRB canal, but he took charge of the OP for himself.

For sacrificing his life for the motherland, Major Aziz Bhatti was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest military award, on March 23, 1966.

Today, on the anniversary, floral wreaths will be placed at the final resting place of the martyr, and Fateha will be recited.

ISPR Statement

The Pakistan Army has paid tribute to the immortal sacrifice and extraordinary bravery of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider in wonderful words on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his death.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza (Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee), Admiral Naveed Ashraf (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu (Chief of Air Staff) jointly described the sacrifice of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed as a shining example of courage, determination, faith and national loyalty for the nation.

The ISPR statement said that during the 1965 war, Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed courageously defended the Barki sector near Lahore, standing as a steel wall against the enemy’s fierce attacks for five consecutive days and nights.