In a twist of historical irony, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir recently paid tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan, a soldier killed during the 1999 Kargil War, who was once denied a burial by his own country.
Member Of The Pakistan Army Died In Combat
Captain Sher Khan, a member of the Pakistan Army’s Northern Light Infantry, died in combat during the Kargil conflict and was buried with full military honours by the Indian Army. At the time, Pakistan had officially refused to accept the bodies of its fallen soldiers, including Sher Khan.
However, the bravery and valour displayed by Sher Khan did not go unnoticed. It was an Indian Army officer, Brigadier M.P.S. Bajwa, who took the initiative to write a letter to the Pakistani authorities, detailing the young captain’s courageous conduct on the battlefield. It was only after this that Sher Khan was posthumously awarded Pakistan’s highest gallantry award, the Nishan-e-Haider.
Asim Munir Hails Sher Khan As A National Hero
Now, 25 years later, General Asim Munir has hailed Sher Khan as a national hero, calling his actions an “inspiration for future generations of soldiers.” Speaking at a remembrance ceremony, Munir acknowledged the sacrifices of Sher Khan and others, stating, “Martyrs are the pride of the nation and a source of strength for the armed forces.”
The moment has sparked reactions across both sides of the border, highlighting the contrast between wartime decisions and peacetime commemorations. Indian veterans have noted the irony in Pakistan now glorifying a soldier it had once refused to acknowledge, while also commending Brig. Bajwa’s humanitarian and soldierly gesture that changed Sher Khan’s legacy forever.
This letter and gesture prompted Pakistan to later accept Sher Khan’s body and, in 2000, posthumously award him the Nishan-e-Haider, a title reserved for the country’s bravest.
Fast forward to 2025, General Asim Munir has now hailed Captain Sher Khan as a “national icon” during a remembrance ceremony. “He fought with unmatched bravery. His sacrifice is a source of inspiration for future generations,” Munir stated. This marks a major moment in Pakistan’s military narrative, where a soldier once disowned in death is now being positioned as the face of patriotic courage.
