RAWALPINDI, Oct 30: Sardar Col M. Yahya Effendi (retired), a distinguished soldier and author of international repute, died of cardiac arrest at his residence here late Wednesday evening.

He was laid to rest in his family graveyard with military honor among thousands of mourners on Thursday after Asr prayers, said a press release. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

He was the youngest son of Prince Sardar Abdur Rehman Khan Effendi, who played an important role in influencing Maharaja Hari Singh to accede to Pakistan till the Indian forces occupied Kashmir in violation of the standstill agreement.

Col Effendi joined the Pakistan Army’s 11 Cavalry (Frontier Force) Regiment in 1963. He served with the regiment in 1965 war. With the covering force in Shakargarh in the 1971 conflict, he commanded a tank squadron of 33 Cavalry and was instrumental in disturbing the time and space dimension of the Indian offensive.

Col Effendi authored numerous nooks, research papers and pamphlets. He was a regular contributor to the monthly Defence Journal.

His Qul will be held on Friday at his residence: House # 185, Rashid Minhas Road, Rawalpindi, at 3:30pm.