MUZAFFARABAD: An army officer who embraced martyrdom while combating terrorism in Balochistan was laid to rest with full military honours in his native area in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday.

Earlier, thousands of people gathered on the grounds of an educational institution in Bagh to attend the funeral of Maj Saad bin Zubair of Bani Pasari village. The mourners included AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, his predecessor Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, cabinet members Sardar Mir Akbar and Sardar Ziaul Qamar, as well as adviser Ahmed Sagheer.

Commander of the 10th Corps Lt-Gen Shahid Imtiaz, General Officer Commanding of the 12th Division, and other high-ranking civil and military officials were also present among the mourners.

Major Saad was the son of Sardar Zubair Ali Afsar, the brother-in-law of Mr Ilyas, and the son-in-law of Sardar Arbab Hussain Tahir, Chairman of Union Council Jandala Tamrota. He had tied the nuptial knot in July last year.

Speaking at a condolence reference, local speakers paid tribute to Major Saad for embracing martyrdom in the line of duty, asserting that his sacrifice would not go in vain.

They maintained that such supreme sacrifices strengthened the nation’s resolve and reinforced the belief in a peaceful and secure Pakistan for future generations.

The speakers noted that the entire nation stood united in the war against terrorism and remained steadfast in its support for the Pakistan Army.

They also highlighted the deep-rooted spiritual and blood ties between the people of Kashmir and Pakistan, underscoring that Kashmiris had always stood by Pakistan, while Pakistani soldiers had laid down their lives to protect Kashmir.

Prime Minister Haq also met the family of the martyred officer to offer his condolences. Paying tribute to Major Saad, he stated that the entire nation saluted sons like him, who selflessly shed their blood in the sacred duty of defending the homeland.

Meanwhile, AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar and Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed Shah also paid homage to Major Saad, saying that while his martyrdom deeply grieved them, they took pride in the sons of Kashmir who had sacrificed their lives for the defence of the nation and the honour of the national flag.

They expressed their firm belief that terrorists would be completely defeated.

Expressing his condolences with the father of the martyred officer, Sardar Zubair Afsar, the speaker described Major Saad as a brave son of the soil who had attained immortality by laying down his life for the country.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2025