His father died in uniform. The boy who lost him put the uniform on anyway — and died in it, leading his men, exactly as his father had.
On 23 July 2025, security forces moved into Mastung district on solid intelligence about terrorists hiding in the area. What followed was a fierce, close-quarters operation — and at the head of his troops stood Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal, a 31-year-old officer who led from the front and never came back.
His story carried a deeper weight: his father, Brigadier M. Salim, had also embraced shahadat while serving as Station Commander Peshawar, and the boy who lost his father grew into an officer determined to serve the same flag. On 23 July 2025, he completed that journey in the most honourable way a soldier can. On 23 July 2026, his first shahadat anniversary was observed, and the nation honoured an officer who gave everything in the prime of his life.
An Officer Who Led From the Front
Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal was commissioned through the 130 Long Course and served with the 4 Azad Kashmir Regiment, the 44 Azad Kashmir Regiment, and the Frontier Corps Balochistan (4 AK / 44 AK / FC Bln). A resident of District Khushab, he had chosen the hardest path a young Pakistani can choose — and he walked it with distinction.
To lead from the front is the oldest and truest test of an officer. It means being the first into danger and the last out of it; it means asking nothing of your men that you have not already demanded of yourself. Those who served with Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal knew him as such an officer — and on the day of the Mastung operation, he proved it for the final time.
The Day of Shahadat
On 23 July 2025, an intelligence-based operation was launched in Mastung district against terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan, described as an Indian proxy. During the operation, Pakistani troops engaged the terrorists’ location effectively, and three terrorists were eliminated.
But the exchange of fire was intense. Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal, leading his troops from the front as he always did, fought gallantly — and in that fight, he paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat. Alongside him fell another brave son of the soil, Sepoy Nazam Hussain, just 22 years old and a resident of District Jhelum. Two soldiers, two families, one operation — and a Pakistan made safer by their blood.
The Original Tribute
The anniversary tribute posted in their honour reads as follows:
Today is 1st shahadat anniversary of Maj Zeeyyad Salim Awal Shaheed, along with Sep Nazim Hussain Shaheed
Maj Zeeyad Salim Shaheed – 130 L/C ex 4AK/44AK/FC Bln – 23 Jul 25
On 23 July 2025, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Mastung District, on reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Hindustan.
During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly, three terrorists were sent to hell.
However, during the intense fire exchange, Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal (age: 31 years, resident of District Khushab), a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat along with another brave son of soil Sepoy Nazam Hussain (age: 22 years, resident of District Jhelum).
A Legacy Written Twice
His name is now written twice in Pakistan’s book of honour — once beside his father’s, and once in the bold letters of his own sacrifice. There are few stories in the annals of any army to match it: a son who followed his martyred father into the same uniform, served with the same devotion, and fell as his father fell — leading his men, facing the enemy, in the service of Pakistan.
Imagine the courage that takes. To have watched your father come home in a flag-draped coffin, to have lived with that grief all your life — and then to choose the same uniform, the same danger, the same oath. That is not duty. That is devotion, of the rarest kind.
Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal Shaheed, and Sepoy Nazam Hussain Shaheed beside him, remind us that Pakistan’s peace is purchased daily by its soldiers. The nation salutes them both, and stands with their families. May Allah grant them the highest ranks in Jannah.
