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| Saviour of Lahore Shafqat Baloch | |
|---|---|
| Born | Machhar Khadi, Sargodha |
| Died | 13 August, 2010 |
| Buried | Machhar Khadi, Sargodha |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Service |  Pakistan Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 17 Baloch Regiment |
| Commands | 17 Baloch Regiment |
| Known for | Defender of Lahore 1965 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | 2x Sitara-e-Jurat |
Colonel Shafqat Baloch SJ, best known as Major Shafqat Baloch, was a Pakistani military officer who is known as the "Saviour of Lahore" for his gallantry and actions of valor during the Second Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat two times, first in 1965 and second in 1971.
Early life
Colonel Shafqat Baloch was born in Sargodha, Punjab, into a Baloch family. His native village was Machhar Khadi, which is located on the outskirts of Sargodha.
1965 War
Military career
On 6 September 1965, at 1 A.M, Major Shafqat Baloch was moving towards the assigned position along with 90 of his troops, belonging to the 17th Punjab regiment.The troops were moving carefully amidst reports of Indian incursions. All of a sudden, there was a loud burst of a machine gun coming from a military post of the Pakistan Rangers. The Major issued orders to move towards the post and on the way, he met a Rangers troop who broke the news of the Indian assault, the overrunning of Gwanti post , and the death of many from his unit including the Major. The Ranger was going to inform the higher command, but their telephone was damaged.
Major ordered the troops to entrench themselves near the Ichhogil Canal in the outskirts of Hudaira village.
Major directed the artillery precisely at the Indian troops, inflicting heavy casualties as they had no idea about Pakistani presence. Then, the Pakistani Anti-tank crews destroyed two Indian tanks, followed by a rigorous infantry assault. The Indians had no choice but to retreat.
Major's actions stalled the front for 17 days till the ceasefire agreement was reached. For his acts of bravery, he was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat.
Indian Account
Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh, in his account of the battle , states that he was the GOC of the 7th Infantry Division with the task of capturing the BRB Canal and said that Major Baloch was right about the casualties. After the ceasefire and the availability of new information, it became evident that Indians had suffered about 400 deaths. Later, Major Baloch was ordered by his seniors to settle the ceasefire line. He crossed the BRB Canal and reached the Indian positions. Major Puri, infantry commander, and Major Hira Singh, commander of the armor, congratulated him for putting up a tough resistance. The ceasefire conditions were accepted without arguments.
Baloch was promoted to Lt Colonel and served in 1971 war in East Pakistan briefly but was removed from service there. He was promoted to colonel and received his second Sitara e Jurat.
He died of a heart attack on 13 August 2010 at CMH Rawalpindi. He was buried in Machhar Khadi, in Sargodha.
In Popular culture
He was depicted as a major war hero in the movie "Saya e Khuda e Zuljalal" casting Asad Malik as Major Shafqat
References
- ^ "1965 War hero Shafqat Baloch dies". The Nation. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- "The Battle at Hudiara". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- Ayub Khan Saidookhail (1967). Hero Among Heroes. Saidookhail Traders.
- ^ Pakistan Meets Indian Challenge. Al Mukhtar Publishers. 1967. p. 119.
- Singh, Lt Gen Harbakhsh (1991). War Despatches: Indo–Pak Conflict 1965. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-1-935501-59-6.
- "1965 War hero Shafqat Baloch dies". The Nation. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- "1965 War hero Shafqat Baloch dies". The Nation. 13 August 2010.
- "Saya-e-Khuda-e-Zuljalal is not just another war movie, say the producers". DAWN.COM. 2015-07-25. Retrieved 2024-07-16.