FC soldier hailed as hero for exceptional bravery
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
By Rahimullah Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: A 21-year old soldier from the paramilitary Frontier Corps has become a hero among fellow soldiers for opting to single-handedly defend a remote fort in South Waziristan and later dramatically escaping from Taliban captivity.
Sepoy Niamatullah Bhittani's remarkable story is now being told and retold in Frontier Corps (FC) units deployed all over the NWFP. He has been visiting the troops, who are told by FC officers about his daring exploits in the dangerous battlefields of South Waziristan.
Senior FC officials described Sepoy Niamatullah, who has served in the force for three years only, as an exceptionally brave and courageous man. Like a true soldier, he was ready to die and willing to endure suffering.
Belonging to the Bhittani tribe of the Pashtuns, Niamatullah was an unknown soldier until some weeks ago. He was deployed along with about 22 FC troops at the picket meant for the defence of Seplatoi Fort, sited above the Shaoor Tangi Pass, the site of some bloody battles in the past between the freedom-loving Pashtun tribesmen and invaders. A time came when all the soldiers except Niamatullah decided to abandon the Shaoor Picket and the fort and try to reach Jandola, where troops from both FC and Pakistan Army were based in large numbers. Taliban fighters had just captured and destroyed the Srarogha Fort and were reportedly heading for the Seplatoi Fort. The decision to retreat from Seplatoi Fort was pragmatic as the force was inadequate to defend the outposts.
Niamatullah, however, was made of sterner stuff. He announced he was staying back, all alone, at the fort and will fight until the end. He was also hoping that reinforcements would arrive in time to save the citadel. As his colleagues trooped out of the fort, he took up position at the strategic mountain picket with just two weapons, his G-3 rifle and a light machinegun. He used his wireless set to call the commander of his FC wing to update him on the desperate situation at the Seplatoi Fort and request reinforcement. The commander was surprised that Niamatullah had stayed back alone to defend the fort.
According to FC officials, it was race for time between their men wanting to reach Seplatoi Fort in helicopters and Taliban fighters ready to storm the citadel. The soldiers made it first to the fort and managed to push back the Taliban attackers.
Prior to that, Niamatullah had fired a burst of his gun at the approaching Taliban fighters when they ordered him to surrender or face the consequences. Rather than surrendering, he challenged them to surrender and fired those shots to make clear his intentions. Just then the Taliban got hold of one of the FC soldiers who had abandoned the fort earlier and placed a pistol at his head. They threatened to shoot him if Niamatullah didn't surrender. Much against his wish, Niamatullah surrendered to save the life of his fellow soldier. Other FC soldiers too were taken hostage.
After failing to capture the Seplatoi Fort, Taliban fighters took Niamatullah to their hideout in Barwand area and locked him up. While in captivity, the brave Bhittani tribesman risked his life and managed to call his FC commander on the wireless set to tell him about his capture and assure him that he would return home unharmed. True to his word, he dramatically escaped from captivity three nights later and walked for hours on foot to reach the Seplatoi Fort. He not only brought back his own gun but was also able to bring with him the blanket and Motorola set, known in Pashto as "mukhabira," of the Taliban commander. It was enough of evidence that he had been in Taliban custody.
Daredevil Niamatullah later told his FC commanders and colleagues that every night Taliban would tell him that he would soon be beheaded. For one reason or another, they kept postponing the beheading and provided Niamatullah enough time to plot his impossible escape.
Niamatullah's story of bravery is apparently the only one that has been revealed until now. There are other courageous soldiers as well who died or were injured fighting militants in South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Swat, Shangla and Darra Adamkhel. In fact, the militants too are Pashtuns and many among them have also fought bravely for their cause. It is largely a Pashtun versus Pashtun fight and both are known to be tough and brave.
When word of Sepoy Niamatullah's bravery reached the FC headquarters in Peshawar's historic Balahissar Fort, the Inspector General Frontier Corps, Major General Mohammad Alam Khattak, hosted a grand darbar in his honour and promoted him to the rank of Naik. The various wings of the FC have also been feting Naik Niamatullah and paying tributes to him for his acts of bravery. At every such event, Army officers commanding the wings narrate his story to the applause of the FC troops. It is a pep talk they desperately need in these times of difficulty.
Niamatullah has also been recommended for gallantry award and his parents would be sent to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. He will be posted abroad as part of the FC and Pakistan Army contingents serving in the UN peace force.
Life has certainly taken a turn for the better for Niamatullah. But he has to be careful about his movements because the Pakistani Taliban would be keeping track of him. They would certainly like to settle scores with a man who foiled their attempt to capture the Seplatoi Fort and then put them to shame by escaping from their custody.
FC soldier hailed as hero for exceptional bravery
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
By Rahimullah Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: A 21-year old soldier from the paramilitary Frontier Corps has become a hero among fellow soldiers for opting to single-handedly defend a remote fort in South Waziristan and later dramatically escaping from Taliban captivity.
Sepoy Niamatullah Bhittani's remarkable story is now being told and retold in Frontier Corps (FC) units deployed all over the NWFP. He has been visiting the troops, who are told by FC officers about his daring exploits in the dangerous battlefields of South Waziristan.
Senior FC officials described Sepoy Niamatullah, who has served in the force for three years only, as an exceptionally brave and courageous man. Like a true soldier, he was ready to die and willing to endure suffering.
Belonging to the Bhittani tribe of the Pashtuns, Niamatullah was an unknown soldier until some weeks ago. He was deployed along with about 22 FC troops at the picket meant for the defence of Seplatoi Fort, sited above the Shaoor Tangi Pass, the site of some bloody battles in the past between the freedom-loving Pashtun tribesmen and invaders. A time came when all the soldiers except Niamatullah decided to abandon the Shaoor Picket and the fort and try to reach Jandola, where troops from both FC and Pakistan Army were based in large numbers. Taliban fighters had just captured and destroyed the Srarogha Fort and were reportedly heading for the Seplatoi Fort. The decision to retreat from Seplatoi Fort was pragmatic as the force was inadequate to defend the outposts.
Niamatullah, however, was made of sterner stuff. He announced he was staying back, all alone, at the fort and will fight until the end. He was also hoping that reinforcements would arrive in time to save the citadel. As his colleagues trooped out of the fort, he took up position at the strategic mountain picket with just two weapons, his G-3 rifle and a light machinegun. He used his wireless set to call the commander of his FC wing to update him on the desperate situation at the Seplatoi Fort and request reinforcement. The commander was surprised that Niamatullah had stayed back alone to defend the fort.
According to FC officials, it was race for time between their men wanting to reach Seplatoi Fort in helicopters and Taliban fighters ready to storm the citadel. The soldiers made it first to the fort and managed to push back the Taliban attackers.
Prior to that, Niamatullah had fired a burst of his gun at the approaching Taliban fighters when they ordered him to surrender or face the consequences. Rather than surrendering, he challenged them to surrender and fired those shots to make clear his intentions. Just then the Taliban got hold of one of the FC soldiers who had abandoned the fort earlier and placed a pistol at his head. They threatened to shoot him if Niamatullah didn't surrender. Much against his wish, Niamatullah surrendered to save the life of his fellow soldier. Other FC soldiers too were taken hostage.
After failing to capture the Seplatoi Fort, Taliban fighters took Niamatullah to their hideout in Barwand area and locked him up. While in captivity, the brave Bhittani tribesman risked his life and managed to call his FC commander on the wireless set to tell him about his capture and assure him that he would return home unharmed. True to his word, he dramatically escaped from captivity three nights later and walked for hours on foot to reach the Seplatoi Fort. He not only brought back his own gun but was also able to bring with him the blanket and Motorola set, known in Pashto as "mukhabira," of the Taliban commander. It was enough of evidence that he had been in Taliban custody.
Daredevil Niamatullah later told his FC commanders and colleagues that every night Taliban would tell him that he would soon be beheaded. For one reason or another, they kept postponing the beheading and provided Niamatullah enough time to plot his impossible escape.
Niamatullah's story of bravery is apparently the only one that has been revealed until now. There are other courageous soldiers as well who died or were injured fighting militants in South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Swat, Shangla and Darra Adamkhel. In fact, the militants too are Pashtuns and many among them have also fought bravely for their cause. It is largely a Pashtun versus Pashtun fight and both are known to be tough and brave.
When word of Sepoy Niamatullah's bravery reached the FC headquarters in Peshawar's historic Balahissar Fort, the Inspector General Frontier Corps, Major General Mohammad Alam Khattak, hosted a grand darbar in his honour and promoted him to the rank of Naik. The various wings of the FC have also been feting Naik Niamatullah and paying tributes to him for his acts of bravery. At every such event, Army officers commanding the wings narrate his story to the applause of the FC troops. It is a pep talk they desperately need in these times of difficulty.
Niamatullah has also been recommended for gallantry award and his parents would be sent to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. He will be posted abroad as part of the FC and Pakistan Army contingents serving in the UN peace force.
Life has certainly taken a turn for the better for Niamatullah. But he has to be careful about his movements because the Pakistani Taliban would be keeping track of him. They would certainly like to settle scores with a man who foiled their attempt to capture the Seplatoi Fort and then put them to shame by escaping from their custody.
FC soldier hailed as hero for exceptional bravery
