Terror at the Gates of GHQ
On the morning of 10 October 2009, terrorism struck at the very heart of Rawalpindi. Ten terrorists — dressed in Army uniforms, travelling in a vehicle with an Army number plate — entered the General Headquarters complex via Murree Road and dispersed in different directions. The attack had been planned for 6 October but was delayed till 10 October. What followed was a battle within the Army’s own headquarters: soldiers who had spent their careers defending the nation found themselves defending its very command. It would become one of the darkest days in the nation’s war on terror.
He Was Not Alone
Among those who embraced shahadat that day was Brigadier Anwar Ul Haq Shaheed — an officer of the 68th PMA Long Course, commissioned into 38 Field Artillery and serving with the Military Intelligence Directorate. A brigadier is among the senior-most officers in the field, a leader of thousands, and his loss was felt across the entire institution. He fell alongside fellow soldiers: Lieutenant Colonel Waseem Amir Shaheed (80th Long Course, ex 29 Frontier Force), Havildar Zar Khan Shaheed, Lance Naik Shahid Iqbal Shaheed, Sepoy Ishraq Khan Shaheed, Naik Riaz Shaheed, and the SSG commandos Havildar Istezar Shaheed, Lance Naik Qudrat Ullah Shaheed, Naik Ayub Shaheed, Sepoy Rab Nawaz Shaheed, and Sepoy Younis Shaheed. Civilians caught in the attack also embraced shahadat: Sheikh Waqas Mahmood Shaheed, Naik Ahmed Din Shaheed, and Waris Ali Shaheed. Each name is a story of courage; each family, a story of loss.
The attackers broke past the checkpost — five of them died in the attempt — and the rest made it inside. The attack failed in its objectives because soldiers like Brigadier Anwar Ul Haq stood their ground when it mattered most. From a brigadier of the Military Intelligence Directorate to the SSG commandos who answered the call, every rank stood together that day.
The Original Tribute
GHQ Attack. 10-10-2009.
Today is 17th shahadat anniversary of: Brigadier Anwar Ul Haq Shaheed (68L/C ex 38FD Arty/MI Dte); Lt Col Waseem Amir Shaheed (80LC ex 29FF); Hav Zar Khan Shaheed; LNK Shahid Iqbal Shaheed; Sepoy Ishraq Khan Shaheed; NK Riaz Shaheed; Hav Istezar Shaheed SSG OP Janbaz; LNK Qudrat Ullah Shaheed SSG; NK Ayub Shaheed SSG; Sepoy Rab Nawaz Shaheed SSG; Sepoy Younis Shaheed SSG.
Civilians: Sheikh Waqas Mahmood Shaheed; Nq Ahmed Din Shaheed; Waris Ali Shaheed.
Ten terrorists entered GHQ via Murree Road and dispersed in different directions. The attack was planned for 06 October but delayed till 10 October; they were wearing Army uniforms and using an Army number plate vehicle. The audacious attack, as the men broke past the checkpost, resulted in the death of five of them. The rest were able to make it in.
The Day Terrorism Reached the Army’s Heart
Their shahadat anniversary is observed every year on 10 October. Seventeen years have passed, and the GHQ attack is remembered as the day terrorism struck at the Army’s heart — and was turned back by the courage of the soldiers within.
There is a special solemnity in remembering an attack on the headquarters itself. GHQ is the nerve centre of the Army, and 10 October 2009 proved that no place and no rank is beyond the reach of sacrifice. The civilians who died there are remembered alongside the soldiers, for terror does not distinguish. Brigadier Anwar Ul Haq Shaheed served Pakistan at the highest levels and gave his life defending its most sensitive institution. He defended the Army’s very heart. The nation honours him — and all who fell that day.
 embraced shahadat on 10 October 2009 in the GHQ terror attack. Read more.){kind=link}