A Commanding Officer Never Asks What He Will Not Give
A commanding officer carries the heaviest burden in the Army: the lives of hundreds of men rest on his decisions. On 12 June 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Hafiz Sajid Mushtaq Shaheed embraced shahadat in Tirah Valley, in a terrorist attack. An officer of the 89th PMA Long Course, commissioned into 50 Baloch Regiment, he was serving as the Commanding Officer of 11 Northern Light Infantry — leading his battalion in one of the most challenging theatres of the war on terror. A commanding officer does not ask his men to go where he will not. He led from the front, as commanding officers do — and the front is where he fell.
A Household That Gave Twice
His sacrifice is part of a larger story of devotion. He was the brother-in-law of Captain Qazi Jawad Shaheed of the 93rd PMA Long Course, ex 11 Northern Light Infantry — another officer of the same battalion who had also embraced shahadat. Two families joined by marriage, joined also by martyrdom. That both men served in 11 Northern Light Infantry binds their stories together: the battalion lost two of its own from one family, and it honours them both as its sons. It speaks of a household where service to Pakistan runs deeper than blood.
The Commander’s Burden
A commanding officer carries the heaviest burden in the Army: the lives of hundreds of men rest on his decisions. In Tirah Valley — unforgiving terrain, a ruthless enemy — Lieutenant Colonel Hafiz Sajid Mushtaq bore that burden at the head of 11 Northern Light Infantry, sharing every risk with his men. He did not ask them to go where he would not. On 12 June 2013, the front is where he fell. A commanding officer to the last.
And his was a household that gave twice. His brother-in-law, Captain Qazi Jawad of the 93rd Long Course — also of 11 Northern Light Infantry — had also embraced shahadat. Two families joined by marriage, joined also by martyrdom; one battalion that lost two of its own from a single family. It speaks of a household where service to Pakistan runs deeper than blood. Thirteen years on, 11 NLI still speaks his name with pride — and the nation still owes him, as the tribute says, its gratitude. We owe you, sir. Pakistan remembers.
The Original Tribute
Today is 13th shahadat anniversary of Lt Col Hafiz Sajid Mushtaq Shaheed.
On 12June2013, he embraced shahadat at Tirah Valley, in a terrorist attack.
Pride of the nation. Pride of 89L/C ex 50BR/CO 11NLI.
He was brother-in-law of Capt Qazi Jawad Shaheed (93L/C ex 11NLI).
Thank you, sir, for sacrificing your precious life for us, for this nation. We owe you.
The seasons drenched in blood will bear witness that you stood firm; every traveller on the path of loyalty will bear witness that you stood firm.
We Owe You
His shahadat anniversary is observed every year on 12 June. Thirteen years have passed, and he is remembered as the pride of the nation and the pride of the 89th Long Course — a commanding officer who shared every risk with his men.
Thank you, sir, for sacrificing your precious life for us, for this nation. We owe you. The nation repeats the tribute’s words every 12 June. The seasons drenched in blood will bear witness that you stood firm; every traveller on the path of loyalty will bear witness that you stood firm. Two martyrs from one family, one battalion above them both — and a debt the nation pays in remembrance. Pakistan honours him, and his family’s sacrifice, today and always.
 embraced shahadat on 12 June 2013 in Tirah Valley. Read his tribute on Feature Pakistan.){kind=link}