Web Desk (LTN NEWS): ISPR says, “We remember the national hero with respect, courage, and the supreme sacrifice.” Rashid Minhas was a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot officer who died as a martyr at the age of 20 during the 1971 war. On the 50th anniversary of his death, the Pakistan Army paid tribute to him.
Minhas got the Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery, making him the youngest officer in the Pakistan Air Force to get the highest honor for bravery.
In a tweet late Thursday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “On 50th Martyrdom anniversary, we remember with reverence, bravery, and supreme sacrifice National Hero Pilot officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider.”
In the line of duty, Minhas lived up to the great traditions of the Pakistan Air Force when it came to defending the country.
Minhas was born in Karachi on February 17, 1951. He moved to Lahore when he was young, then to Rawalpindi, and then back to Karachi.
At age 17, Minhas became a flying cadet at the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur. In 1971, he graduated from the academy as a general duty pilot.
Rashid got ready for his first solo flight in a T-33 jet trainer on August 20, 1971. He turned on the engines and checked everything. As Minhas was taxiing toward the runway, his instructor pilot came onto the taxiway and told him to stop.
Minhas stopped the plane because he thought his instructor might want to give him some last-minute instructions. The instructor pushed his way into the back cockpit and took control of the plane. The jet took off and went in the direction of India.
Soon, the radio at Masroor Control Tower started to work, and Minhas told the tower that his plane was being taken over. The air traffic controller asked him to send his message again and confirm that the plane had been taken over.
What happened after that was a story of great courage and patriotism. In the air, Minhas struggled physically to take control. Each man tried to get the upper hand by using flight controls that were linked to each other.
The instructor wanted him to fly to India, but Rashid wasn’t ready. The fierce fight went on for several minutes, and when the plane got close to the Indian border, Rashid Minhas knew what he had to do.
He knew that his life was not as important as the honor of his country. Rashid Minhas put the plane’s nose down on purpose about 32 miles (51 km) from the Indian border. This caused the jet to crash near Thatta.
