44 years ago today: Rashid Minhas takes his plane down for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The 44th death anniversary of Pakistan's national hero, Rashid Minhas Shaheed was marked across the country on Thursday with tributes paid to his services.
Rashid, who was born on February 17 1951, remains the youngest officer to receive the Nishan-e-Haider award and was the first recipient of the highest honour of gallantry for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
He got his early education from Karachi and upon reaching the tender age of 17, he joined Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur as a Flying Cadet. In 1971, Rashid graduated from the academy as a general duty pilot and was posted to PAF base Masroor in Karachi's Mauripur area to hone his skills as a fighter pilot.
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On August 20, 1971, as a pilot still under training, Rashid was taxing out a T-33 Jet trainer for take-off, when a Bengali pilot instructor, Flight Lieutenant Mataur Rahman, forced his way into the rear cockpit. In mid-air Rahman knocked Minhas out, seized control of the aircraft and headed towards India.
With just 40 miles of Pakistan territory remaining, Rashid regained consciousness and tried to regain control of his aircraft. Failing to do so, he did the only thing within his control to prevent the aircraft from being taken to India — he forced that plane to crash just 32 miles from the Indian border, deliberately sacrificing his life for the honour of Pakistan.
Rashid was laid to rest on August 21, 1971 with full military honours. The young trainee pilot's entire family attended the funeral, along with senior PAF and other Armed Forces personnel.
Rashid was posthumously awarded Pakistan's top military honour — the Nishan-i-Haider — announced by then president General Yahya Khan. He became the youngest man and the only member of the Pakistan Air Force to win the award.
Following the death of his son, Abdul Majid Minhas had reportedly said:
"Although the grief of my son's death is unending, I am proud that he laid down his life for a noble cause and for the integrity and honour of the country and nation".
In an interview telecast on DJ Karachi Television on August 28 1971, Rashid's father had said that his son was, from the very beginning, interested in a career in which he could serve the country and nation according to the best of his capacities.
He had said that Rashid was fond of reading books on war during his student life and noted important quotations In his diary. One of the quotations from his diary said: "The greatest honour for a man is to sacrifice his life for the country and live up to the expectation of the nation."
Asked about Rashid's education, Majid Minhas had said that his son studied in St. Mary's Cambridge School at Rawalpindi and did his senior Cambridge from Karachi. He joined the Pakistan Air Force In 1968. Rashid passed his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics Examination with honours at the PAF Academy.
He said that his eldest son had a technical mind, having learned to drive at the age of 12. His personal library included books on electronics and astronomy, besides other subjects. His hobbies Included reading, photography, hockey and billiards.
He added that his late son was an idealist who had made up his mind at an early age about how to best serve his country. He refused to even consider appearing for the Central Superior Services Examination, he added.
According to Minhas, Rashid had been deeply impressed by his brother-in-law Major Nasir Ahmed Khan, a recipient of the Sitara-i-Jurat. He had said that his son was of a quiet disposition; a modest boy, not given to boasting, and not interested in making money.
Minhas had said that in a way, Rashid was linked with the PAF since his birth, having been born at the PAF Hospital at Drigh Road, Karachi. He had said that the supreme sacrifice made by his son had given him great pride.
"We are soldiers prepared to lay down our lives for the nation", he added.
The original report published in Dawn on August 29, 1971
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Comments (111) Closed
What a brave man you were Rashid, may your soul rest in the highest levels of Jannat!
salute to him.
Ae puttar hattan tey nain wikdey.
Salute to the young soul.He prevented the uncontrolled plane from not falling on innocent Indian civilians and in the effort laid his own life.Once more a salute from an Indian.
So finally someone remembered! Nothing on those business houses called TV Channels. Well done Dawn.
You will always be remember for your courage and patriotism. Today we all need courage and patriotism like him
Un-ending salutes to you, sir.
A true Pakistani and a hero.
sometimes i feel so proud of this nation that my eyes get wet when we have people who sacrifice their life and then again my eyes get wet(due to disappointed) when i look at our politicians and parliament who all day sit in parliament and do nothing for this country.
We are, because of the sacrifices made by our heroes like Rashid Minhas shaeed! The whole nation salutes you, the generations before us and the generations after us will continue to remember you. You are alive, forever in our hearts!
mashaALLAH, proud of our shaheeds
Pakistan Solute Him.
Salute to all heroes Tribute to all heroes,
SALUTE!
Salute to our real hero! He made us all proud and role model for generations to come.
Rashid Minhas and sacrifice again by Flt Lt Rashid son of Air Cdre Shabbir.
Now Rashidabad is a small town of over 5000 inhabitants with its own schools college hospitals, mosque parks and a lake.
Pakistan Zindabad!!!
What a brave man you were Flt Lft Rahman. May your soul rest in peace.
A brave hero. Among the best we have produced. 1971 was an extremely sad chapter from the history of Pakistan.
You are always alive in our heart and mind.
Salute to our brave hero,
May you get the highest rank in jannat, aameen
The whole nation salutes you sir - your sacrifice will be remembered forever. A brave son of the soil, an inspiration to millions
Salute to you Sir..... But how many Pakistani knows that his instructor taking plane towards India was honored by military award by not India But Bangladesh for this act......
Real Hero !!!
My childhood ideal and to this day his name brings the same feelings. He sacrificed himself for the country and gave dreams to millions. What a soul he IS. Shaheed martey nahin...Thank-you Rashid !
Mr.Minhas, how can we forget you and people like you who didn't cared about anything for this beautiful land and gave their lives. Mr. Minhas, many people (if they care) are ashamed and will not be able to see in your eyes when will meet, I think, it was not worth it.
A brave man and a real patriot. May you get highest place in Jannah. Great job by Dawn on publishing this article.
Salute to him.
A brilliant mind, wish he had lived longer to serve Pakistan. I wonder what would INDIA have done if landed there. I wish return the plane and pilot with honor.
Other interesting point howBangladeshis perceive this.
We love our hero. We always remember them.
@usman Ameen
A true patriot and national hero he was. And true example of bravery for our youth!!! Salute for Him.
Take that for the Teenage-Bravery.
Faizan e Nazar tha ya k Maktab ki Karamat thi... Sikhaye Kiss ne Ismail ko Adaab e Farzandi.
Dear Son of soil, You will be remembered Always.
SALUTE to a brave soldier of PAKISTAN. What a shinning star he is.. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
Brave Son of Pakistani soil,
He wasn't scared of dying. RIP SHAHEED
Gone - but never forgotten.
Rashid Minhas amongst the heroes who sacrifice their lives for Pakistan. We will never forget
WATAN KE HAWAEIN SALAM KAHTE HAIN....Pakistan Salute Him.
Salute to the noble soul. He prevented the uncontrolled plane from falling on innocent Indian civilians and in the effort laid his own life. Such an excellent example of humanity.
A Salute to our hero!
Bangladesh awarded their highest military award to Mataur Rahman for defection from Pakistan!
Pakistan Zindabad
@ehsan No doubt, Rashid was a brave soldier of soil and we feel respect for him.
My childhood hero. I often think what was going on in this mind at the very last moment when he knew plane is going to crash. That split of a second defined his legacy for all of us to read. A young blooming man made his country proud. I think chapter of Minhas and bravery deserves more international recognition.
Brave act of valour
RIP - A man of honour :)
Proud of the nation - No wonder Pakistan is inneed of such emotions.
We need another Noor Jahan to sing for our heroes!
Martyrs never die. They are born to live for ever, even after aborting this word. God bless Rashid minhas Shaheed and all those who have sacrificed their lives for sovereignty and glory of our nation . "Sila-e-Shaheed Kya Hai, Tab-o-Taab-e-Javidana"
We will never forget yoru sacrifice
Well done, indeed Dawn. These amazing people are the pride of Pakistan and an inspiration to all of us. Their sacrifices deserve to be recognized.
Sir
A brave man who sacrificed himself for his country at the peak of his career and left a great example for young millions of Pakistanis who today only dream to go to America or Europe as soon as they attain maturity!!!
Pakistan is standing due to bravery of such officers.
heart felt salams and respects to you aey shaheed e watan !
Hero of childhood days! PTV has made a good drama that shows Rashi's life up until his shahadat which has been so enlightening for me.
Salute to you. You are the inspirations for all other soldiers.
Salaam to the great Shaheed Rashid Minhas. May your valor and bravery become part of each and every Pakistani of today, Ameen
@shoukat Agreed!
A lion of Pakistan.Will always remain in our heart.
The real hero
I salute this person, deserve true honor, what a class! Today both countries armies killing own people must be shameful.
He laid down his life just for honor and today cheapest tricks to behead soldiers are carried out! We have come a long way and its the wrong way :(
Pray for his eternal peace. I hope we have many more Rashid Minhas in the nation.
A very brave young man.
When ever hear about Rashid Minhas, don't know what are those feelings waves all over the body. Tearing reading this article.
Any soldier laying down his life for his country is worth all respect.. even from his enemies..
Here is an Indian salute to this young boy who died too young for his country.. may you rest in peace brother..
Pakistan is filled with such stories. It is my belief that it is brave patriotic people like Minhas who are keeping Pakistan afloat even when the elite is guilty of billions of dollars in corruption.
if only we can live up to make Pakistan deserving of such a hero.
Salute to my Hero!
Salute to u late Rashid. Even though adversary, we recognize your valour. If only you knew your head earned freedom will be sold times to the corrupt of your land.
I am really proud to have such kind of patriotic, brave, talented soldiers in our Pakistan. You all are our hero and will remain in our hearts. We all can not forget the sacrifices of our hero and our prayers will always be with our Pak Army. You are the best in the world. You all are nation's heroes. Salute to all soldiers who are sacrificing their lives to bring the peace and prosperity in Pakistan. May All bless you all and grant you all the highest place in heaven.
I am sure there are thousands of Rashid Minhas's living among us even in this time and age. Considering the situation in Pakistan, our military, our rangers, our police officers etc. are all in their field, to make lives of other Pakistanis better. Several have given up their lives and I don't consider them any less than Rashid Minhas. Giving up his life at such a young age, Rashid Minhas definitely deserved the highest award and recognition. Pakistan should be proud to have citizens like him.
Thank you Rashid Minhas! As a kid we learned about your sacrifice during our Pakistan studies courses but its only now that I realize the importance of what you did for us and what a brave act it was on your behalf. We are indebted to you...forever.
Great Job Dawn for reminding us about this hero. I hope Dawn will continue its tradition to recognise Pakistani's who have sacrificed for the country.
We are in an urgent need of true heroes like him and not the false ones who come on TV or sit in the parliament to steal and plunder.
Never forgotten! Tu Shaheen hai parwaz hai kaam tera, teray samnay aasman aur bhi hain.
"Bravest of the Brave, and Best of the Best" Truly you are "one of them"
We are proud of our "heroes of Pakistan, who sacrificed their lives for us"
Rashid you are the hero of our nation i wish if our young generation can have the courage which you have showed i proud of you and great wishes for your parrents.
Salute to the brave soldier. In your memory, today we renew our commitment to our country and promise to play our part to develop and protect our homeland. Salute to Rashid Minhas, solute to our soldiers and all the security forces ever ready to lay down their lives for the country.
Great soldier.RIP
Rashid you are the hero of our nation i wish if our young generation can have the courage which you have showed i proud of you and great wishes for you brave parrents
Although I am happy for the likes of Rashid Minhaz & Shuja Khanzada... They are at a better as Shaheeds. It is because of the hard work and blood of such patriots that this country has still survived.
Then I see this...
http://www.dawn.com/news/1201682/did-you-know-ayyan-was-life-of-the-party-at-a-university-student-event
And all hope is lost.
We are proud of you Rashid Minhas.
A true patriot who can never be forgotten. When I hear his voice on youtube saying "166 is hijacked", it fills my eyes with tear.
love you Rashid
Salute to our Hero
Must have read this story many times, but still brings tears running down my old face. A very brave soldier who wrote his name in glory for the honour of his motherland.
Questions must be answered by all Pakistanis that brilliant young men like Rashid Minhas gave their life for what?
Did they give their life for these corrupt politicians that have divided you in Mahajir, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan and Baloch?
Aren't you ashamed that you still keep supporting these corrupt politicians and their parties by giving your life?
Are you brain dead as nation?
what would it take for you to wake up and be a Rashid Minhas?
That's how heroes are born and die. He appears to be very well educated, his love for flying plane was very apparent; he is a true military man, died with military honor for what he loved most, serving his country with honor. Heroes die young.
Selfless devotion to Pakistan. All Pakistanis must memorize the names and faces of war heros like these. And know who your enemy is. United we stand and will crush them.
Only reason Pakistan is standing even after all this turmoil is because of men like him!!!
Great man
Amazing guy.
If he hadn't had to joined the military, imagine what he would have achieved,either way he changed the fate of this nation and inspires us all.
How the story was learned?
Honor Rashid with peace in the region
Rashid Minhas you live forever in our thoughts and my prayers go out for you. Every young man and woman of Pakistan must have the same spirit to fight for the honor of the country. May God be with you Rashid! you made us proud Pakistanis.
@Thechange well said
Wah Rashid Wah. We are so proud of you.
Dil aaj bhi passej jata jab bhi rashid shaheed ka naam aata hai!
Very basic Question - How PAF knew he did it. Did he send any message to Base? Just out of curiosity to know as its not mentioned here...
@Abdul Thanks for asking that question! Nobody knows. Total conjecture!
@Satt I believe he was concerned with his machine not being illegally landed in India by the rogue pilot who hijacked it and was wanting to create a scene. He did what was best but very difficult to execute. Deserves respect from citizen of an "enemy" ?? perhaps !! Salaam officer !!!
Rashid Minhas we all proud on you.
Bravo!
@Amer RAO We honor our hero. You honor yours.
A SOLDIER id always SOLDIER whose brave should be honored irrespective of the nation, well done Rashid, even i am an Indian i respect his sacrifice as a soldier
RESPECT, RESPECT, AND RESPECT!
Our generations will Inshallah remember you Rashid, we salute you,thank you Down for remembering this brave young man.
thanks to dawn for publishing this article. i wish i could die like him for my country. salute to you n your family who got a son like you. love you brother
We salute you brave officer. Pakistan has pride in you.
We all Salute you Son.
How did they know he crashed it? Did he inform them in radio?
When someone stands against wrong the almighty stands along him and gives him courage and power. And even if the man falls he becomes eternal in the hearts of generations to come.
@shoukat Very well said. The political leaders of this country have disappointed the nation. Parliamentarians are mostly after development funds for loot and their own perks and preserving their VIP culture.
@Umair Shahid yes we call him BIRSHRESTHA (highest military valiant award of Bangladesh defense force) Motiur Rahman. our very first Birshrestha of the liberation war