Introduction
During September 1965 war, 14 Punjab was the spearhead battalion for crossing the river TAWI in the operation Grand Slam CHAMB-JAURIAN Sector. It has the honour of capturing JAURIAN and advanced on JAURIAN- AKHNUR road, reached 8 miles short of AKHNUR when in view of the Indian sudden offensive action on SIALKOT and LAHORE orders were received to halt and occupy defensive position. During the December 1971 war, 14 Punjab, as part of 20 Brigade operated in CHAMB (now IFTIKARABAD) sector and has the honour of capturing BUREJAL (a strongly held enemy position), MANGOTIAN, JHANDA (a strongly held enemy position) and TAKO CHAK. Needless to say the fighting spirit of all ranks stands out like a mile- stone in our national history.
In the article I shall try to high- light the brave actions of 2/Lieut AMJID KHURSHID, 14 Punjab who embraced Shahadat while leading his small force against strongly held position in CHAMB sector.
AMJID KHURSHID As a School boy
Amjid Khurshid was the son of Major KHURSHID an old officer of 14 Punjab. Myself and Amjid’s father were serving with the same battalion. When I took over the battalion Khurshid was the Quarter Master, most dedicated, meticulously honest and had perfect abandon to the will of ALLAH. Amjid was the class fellow of my elder son NOKHEEZ in Lahore and Malir they were studying in the same school. They used to go to the school together and at times would fight but soon all would be forgotten and they would play.
One evening in the lawn of our house about half a dozen class fellows of my son were playing some game. Suddenly I heard the children shouting and when I went out I saw Amjid lying motionless on the ground. When I enquired the boys said that in their mock fighting Amjid pretended to have embraced Shahadat because he often said that he would embrace Shahadat. When I advised them not to play such games Amjid promptly replied, “Uncle, I have heard that a Shaheed never dies.” To acknowledge his reply I gave him an affectionate pat on the head; of course he was imbued with the spirit of war. Then on their insistence I narrated a few acts of valour of our jawans who had fought the September 1965 war.
During April 1965 Amjid and Nokhez joined Military College, Jhelum. After the Sept 1965 war whenever Amjid got time he visited Nokhez and stayed with him for some time. He listened anxiously to the Battalion action fought in Chamb-Jurian Sector, how we crossed the fast current of the Tawi River, caught prisoners, captured guns, tanks, weapons and supplies, etc. On hearing the exploits of the Battalion he would declare emphatically to fight against the enemy, if possible, in the Chamb-Jaurian Sector. How true was his prediction, because he had joined the Battalion in the same sector.
Amjid Joined the Army
Amjid and Nokhez cleared Matric and FA examination with high marks. Amjid joined the Army and went to the PMA during November 1970 while Nokhez joined Engineering Aeronautical University, Chelsea, England. Major Khurshid wanted his son to get a few warm civil dresses and warm uniforms but he declined saying that perhaps he would not get an opportunity to wear them, but no one paid much attention to his ominous reply. His parents took his utterances to be that of a young officer who was immensely keen to fight against the eternal enemy of Pakistan. Soon Major Khurshid was posted to East Pakistan and before his departure both met and said good byes. They were unaware that his was to be their last meeting. Many years later Major Khurshid told me that he could still feel the warmth of his son’s last embrace and would often see the smiling face of his son.
During August 1971 Amjid wrote a letter to his sister that in case of war with India he would fight with unflinching determination. and embrace Shahadat. His sister wrote back that one should pray for the bright side of life and not indulge in pessimism. In reply he wrote, “for me the brightest side will be to embrace Shahadat by laying down my life for the country!”
He was commissioned on 13 November 1971 and posted to 14 Punjab, the Battalion of his father. He was granted 7 days leave which he spent with his family members. He would often sit in the lap of his grand mother and mother who would stroke his hair with their fingers with heartfelt affection. Major Khurshid was involved in serious fighting against the rebels in East Pakistan and Amjid spoke to him over the telephone and asked that he look after himself. The same advice was given by the father to the son. On the last day of his leave, Amjid looked intimately at everything in the house, his room, chair, table, books, the dresses left behind and took a few photographs of the family members for an album. He was seen off at the Lahore railway station by most of his family members; no one was aware that it was their last meeting. They embraced and waved as the train started to move.
MUNAWAR Sector- Azad Kashmir
On 22 November Amjid reached 14 Punjab concentrated in MUNAWAR Sector and posted as Company Officer C Company, the company which his father had commanded. It was the same area in which the Battalion had operated against the enemy during the September 1965 war. The river Tawi was visible like a white line and this was the same river that was waded across, through waist deep water for the capture of Jaurian. The Battalion was under 20 Brigade and allotted the area from DHURNAWAL to HANJ – a frontage of about 7500 yards.
Within ten days Amjid learnt the use of heavy weapons (3″ mortar, machine gun, 106 recoilless rifle) and wireless sets. At the same time he acquainted himself with the JCOs, NCOs and most of the men of C Company. The dark clouds of war were gathering on the borders of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. Indian army formations armoured diyisions, infantry divisions, mountain divisions, artillery brigades and air force had moved into forward concentrations areas within striking distance. The situation in East Pakistan had become precarious.
From the observation posts, through binoculars Amjid was able to see the enemy held positions. He earnestly wished for the start of war in Azad Kashmir and was anxious to jump into the arena of battle. All company weapons were in excellent condition and pouch ammunition was carried by all ranks. On 3rd December 1971 the war on West Pakistan border had commenced. There was thick elephant grass across the Cease Fire Line (now the Line of Control) which provided excellent cover from observation. The area upto the river Tawi was tankable.
BUREJAL was a famous post of the enemy located on a high ground. It was held by an enemy company with minefield, booby traps and a network of communication trenches all around. The plan for the capture of BUREJAL was based on surprise and deception. B Company at 1200 hours on 4th December captured QADEER BAGICHA in Phase I and formed base of fire with all available weapons. At the same time smoke was brought on BUREJAL post. Own mortars and artillery fire was brought on the enemy. The enemy also opened artillery fire on A, B and C Company positions. The enemy was completely deceived because an attack was expected from B Company position of QADEER BAGICHA, where C Company (commanded by Capt Tanvir Hussain Syed) from the other side through a nullah approached the enemy post and charged gallantly through mines and entered the post. A fierce hand to hand fight took place but the assaulting troops cleared every bunker and inflicted heavy casualty on the enemy. The attacking troops suffered nominal casualties but still some bunkers were required to be cleared.
Amjid’s attacking platoon after crossing the start line was supporting Capt Tanvir Hussain’s attacking force with all available weapons. After crawling Amjid and his men entered the minefield of the enemy. With accurate and constant fire the heads of the enemy were kept down, therefore any direct fire by the enemy from that direction was denied. Amjid and his men were shouting ALLAH O AKBAR, YA RASUL ALLAH and firing on the running enemy.
From one direction a couple of enemy machine guns started firing on Amjid’s small force; the men were in the open but used folds of the ground to avoid hits. After about an hour or so BUREJAL was captured. The enemy left many dead bodies, 13 prisoners and a large amount of weapons with ammunition was captured.
On 5th December, while sitting in the captured BUREJAL post Amjid the wrote a letter to his mother. His letter was shown to me when I visited his family members many years after Amjid’s Shahadat. He had writ- ten, “So far I am safe and sound. This time we captured CHAMB with- in 36 hours. There are some photo- graphs in the box, if I cannot come then keep them in a safe place. Send a letter to ABBAJAN because it is not possible to dispatch from here. I am writing this letter while sit- ting in the captured enemy post. My salaams to all. KHUDA HAFIZ. Your loving son, AMJID KHURSHID.”
JHANDA Post was held by an enemy battalion. This was situated about 3000 yards away from the Cease Fire Line. In front of the bunkers and trenches, layers of mines 300 yards in depth were reported. The trenches and bunkers were connected with communication trenches. The enemy had the support of artillery and mortars. At 0745 hours on 6th December B and C companies attacked JHANDA, support of two troops of tanks was available. The enemy opened tank, artillery, mortar and machine gun fire on the attacking troops. Even though the fire was intense, the advance continued. Amjid was commanding a platoon of C Company and as he advanced close to the enemy position, the enemy opened up intense fire. Undaunted Amjid slowly and gradually reached the end of the mine belts. At this close range the enemy opened fire with machine guns and other infantry weapons. On Amjid’s order the men shouted ALLAH O AKBAR and charged on the enemy trenches and bunkers. Amjid himself attacked on the first bunker: he crawled, reached close and threw a grenade inside and firing stopped inside the bunker. In the meantime Amjid’s left arm was hit by enemy fire but he kept on ordering his men to destroy the enemy bunkers. He led them and soon reached close to another bunker but a long burst of enemy machine gun fire hit him on his chest. He was seriously wounded and was unable to advance – his entire body being covered with blood. Some of the men stopped to help him but he ordered them to advance from the right and attack the enemy position. ‘HAMLA KARO’ were his last words. As predicted by him, Amjid had embraced Shahadat at last, sacrificed his life to preserve the independence, honour and dignity of our homeland.
After five hours of fighting the attack was called off; eight men had embraced Shahadat and some were wounded. Many jawans of A company had got entangled in the enemy mine belts and were res the cued during dark hours by the daring action of Major SAEED AKHTAR MALIK.
Amjid’s dead body was found at the edge of an enemy bunker. His hands were still tightly holding the stengun and his body was covered with many bullet wounds. Because of loss of blood his face and arms looked pale but the SMILE OF SUCCESS was shining and conveying the message that ‘SHAHDD NEVER DIES. With only 21 days of service days of which were spent at home, on leave) he proved as bold as a hawk.
Gallantry awards are as under:
Capt Tanvir Hussain Syed – SJ)
2/Lieut Amjid Khurshid -TJ)
Hav Shah Nawaz Sep -TJ)
Sep Naseer Ahmed-TJ)
Posthumous
Sep Muhammad Najeeb – TJ)
Capt Mumtaz Bashir – IS)
N/Sub Mehr Khan – IS)
Major KHURSHID was informed about the Shahadat of AMJID in the thick of battle on 13 December A 1971 in East Pakistan. He received e the news calmly and with serenity. He told his friends that he felt proud to be called the father of a SHAHEED. He also advised his family members to spend their time in equanimity and prayers. For one and a half years Major KHURSHID remained as a prisoner of war and upon return, he s. along with his family members visited the grave of AMJID and stood there for a few hours. He also murmured SHAHEED NEVER DIES.
