KARACHI: Dignified ceremony was held at mausoleum of Rashid Minhas Shaheed, recipient of Nishan-e-Haider to pay homage to martyred pilot officer in connection with Air Force Day. Air Vice Marshal Khalid Mehmood recited fateha on grave of Rashid Minhas Shaheed and laid flowers. Rashid Minhas Shaheed’s brother Anjum Minhas also participated in ceremony.

It should be remembered that Pakistan’s youngest martyred pilot officer Rashid Minhas was born on February 17, 1951 in Karachi. He joined Pakistan Air Force and completed his BSc from PAF Academy, Risalpur.

On Aug 20, 1971, at 11:26am, pilot officer Rashid Minhas boarded his trainer jet T-33 at Masroor Airbase of Pakistan Air Force. As they got their first clearance from control room, plane touched down on runway, while their instructor and flight safety officer Matiur Rehman, feigning technical fault, entered cockpit of plane and knocked them unconscious. Later, he diverted plane towards India during flight.

Rashid Minhas continued to put up strong resistance to thwart his instructor’s nefarious intentions. They crashed plane near Thatta within Pakistani borders, foiled attempt of traitor and embraced martyrdom.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 08 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.