Capt Husnain Shaheed

On a fine Sunday morning (October 15^TH ) almost relaxing in Kurram Agency FC Wing Headquarters, Capt. Husnain was on a video call with his wife and his one and a half year old son in Islamabad when he received the information on Wireless that a convoy from his wing had been hit by the IED. He told his wife that he had to go SOMEWHERE and will be back by the evening. While waiving  them bye he saw the smiling face of his son but also somewhat worried expressions in the eyes on his young wife. He hurriedly put on his gear, got hold of his weapon and rushed to the site of incident with Quick Reaction Force. On reaching the scene he saw 2 IED blasts had already occurred at the same location and the threat for more IEDs was writ large on the uneven ground there. One rescue party had also been hit by an IED before his arrival. Seeing a few bodies scattered and some of his soldiers lying bleeding and injured he instinctively told his JCO that he was going to rescue! them. The JCO tried to stop him saying, “ SIR, AAGAY MAT JAYEIN AUR BHI IEDs HO SAKTI HAIN”.  But the fearless officer replied, "Main in zakhmi jawano ko is halat main nahi dekh skta" and rushed and rescued two of his soldiers. He went yet once again to rescue his third comrade when the fatal blast occurred blowing him into pieces. Probably --- probably the last thing that would have flashed before eyes would have been the INNOCENT SMILING FACE OF HIS SON AND THE ANXIOUS WORRIED LOOKS IN THE EYES OF HIS YOUNG WIFE.  Captain Husnain embraced Shahadat at 0745 hours 15 October 2017 in the Kurram Agency. Yet another great soldier has gone to the heavens in response to his call for the duty towards his nation.  Alas, he too like many others before him shall fade away in the winds of time. No one would even remember him after a few days. Only a few left behind to mourn his Shahdat for the rest of their lives shall be his bereaved family. The ! infant son will have only a few pictures of his brave father t! o adulate. The young wife shall have the tearful eyes to cry in silence for the rest of her life.

A question that could be boggling the minds of many would be WHAT MOTIVATED THIS YOUNG CAPTAIN TO FORGET EVERYTHING - LITERALLY EVERYTHING - AND PLUNGE  INTO THE PROVERBIAL VALLEY OF DEATH  WITHOUT ANY FEAR FOR HIS OWN SAFETY AND LIFE TO RESCUE HIS MEN?

I guess it was the honour code of the officers of the Pak Army that reads:

The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first always and every time.

The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.

Your own ease, comfort and safety come last always and every time.

Capt Husnain we are proud of you – nay -the whole nation is proud of you.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)