Naik Saif Ali Janjua
Naik Saif Ali Janjua of 18th Azad Kashmir Regiment (Army Number: 68275) is the latest addition to the Nishan-e-Haider hall of fame. His name began to appear in GHQ documents in recent years and as of September 6, 2016 Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR) has started printing his profile on various advertisements as well, along with other Nishan-e-Haider(s).
He was born on 25 April 1922 in Khandbaz Tehsil Nakial (Azad Jammu & Kashmir). He was enlisted in the Royal Corps of Engineers in British Indian Army on 18 March 1941.Saif Ali Janjua enlisted in British Army during World War II in Royal British Engineers and after 6 years of service, Joined Pakistan Army at the time of partition. His first task at his joining was establishing a ‘Haideri Force’ for defence of Kashmir, Naik Saif Ali Janjua started establishing Haidri Force with the support of Sardar Fateh Muhammad Karailvi. On 1st Janaury 1948, Haidri Force was raised as “Sher-e-Riasti Battalion” under the command of Lt. Col. Muhammad Sher Khan.a task which was completed successfully by July 1948. He was involved in frequent skirmishes against the invading Indian Army and first saw combat in September-October 1947.
Saif Ali Janjua was promoted to Naik in the fall of 1947 and was given the command of Platoon-I of B-Company, a distinction for the rank of Naik. The platoon was given responsibility to defend Peer Kalewa ridge. On night of October 25th 1948, Indian Army launched offensive in the area with a force of an infantry brigade (5th Infantry Brigade) with assorted tanks and with Indian Air Force (IAF) providing direct support for the ground assault.
Comparison: An Infantry Brigade typically consists of at least, 1500 men commanded by a one-star General (Brigadier)… A platoon only has 30 men.
Continuous artillery barrage followed by tanks initially over-ran the line of defence and Naik Saif Ali Janjua’s outfit was isolated from the battalion. The encirclement, however, did not deter the soldiers’ resolve as they put on a brave performance despite being outnumbered. The first waves of attack lasted for more than 10 hours, extending up to afternoon of October 26th.
Naik Saif Ali Janjua himself fired bursts from his Light Machine Gun (LMG) and kept enemy at bay for hours as Indian casualties mounted. It is reported that a low flying aircraft of IAF was also damaged, which later downed inside territory of Pakistan by effective marksmanship of Naik Saif Janjua.
Two enemy waves were repulsed by the isolated platoon since mid-night, including one in broad daylight. Naik Saif Ali Janjua, while manning his postion atop Pir Kaleva at Mehndhar Sector, got hit directly by an artillery round and embraced martyrdom on spot on October 26, 1948. Nothing short of direct hit from an artillery barrage could have stopped Naik Saif from carrying out his duties.
On 14th March 1949, the Defence Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir awarded him Hilal-e-Kashmir, the highest gallantry award of AK, by Defence Council of Azad Kashmir . on 30th November 1995 Government of Pakistan initiated the gazette notification (No.1/18/D/25/91) to declare his Hilal-e-Kashmir equilent to Nishan-e Haider.
