Christian Martyrs of Pakistan Armed Forces
By Azam Mairej
Since the creation of Pakistan, whenever motherland needed, the Christian sons along with their Muslim brothers always presented themselves for the defence of the country and, whenever needed, they sacrificed their lives for the motherland.
~ Whether it is Kashmir war- 1948 or Indo•Pak War - 1965, challenge of 1971 or 1999 Kargil conflict or the ongoing War on Terror. Christian intrepid has always been ready to defend their homeland.
There are hundreds of Christian martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for Pakistan. Mr. Younis son of Mr. Qaisar from 16 Punjab is the pioneer of this caravan, who hoisted the Pakistani Flag at Pando during Kashmir war - 1948. Pilot Officer Novan Theodore Fazal Elahi was enhancing his professional skills by attempting to pass his aircraft below the Attock Bridge and lost his life. Flight Lieutenant Edwin lost his life during F-86 aircraft crash at Quetta in 1994 and there are numerous such accounts of valour. According to the list provided by Shuhada Cell of Pak Army and my personal research, more than fifty Christian martyrs belong to Pakistan Army and the rest are from Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Navy (PN).
At Gayari (Siachen) on 7 April 2012, out of 140 martyrs, four were Christians whose names are: Asif Masih, Amon Gill, Adil Masih and Naveed Masih. These Christian soldiers laid their lives a day before Easter, which was on 8April.
Squadron Leader Peter Christie (Tamgha-e-Jur'at and Sitara-e•Jur'at) was born in Karachi on 26 June 1932. He was commissioned in PAF in 1962. During 1965 war, he took part as navigator of B-57 Canberra aircraft and remained part of many successful operational missions as a Flight Lieutenant. To honour his bravery and professional skills in war, Government of Pakistan awarded him Tamgha-e-Jur'at. During 1971 Pakistan- India War, he was on deputation in P.I.A and was called back to participate in the war. On the morning of 6 December, Squadron Leader Peter Christie and Squadron Leader (Retd) Khurso, who had been recalled for the war, headed for the mission in B-57 bomber aircraft. After completing their mission, when they were returning, a surface-to-air missile hit their aircraft and both got martyred. Indian Air Force (JAF) did not verify this incident. They were declared "Missing in Action" and later acknowledged as Martyrs. They were both awarded Sitara-e-Jur'at after their martyrdom.
Wing Commander Marvin Lesley Middlecoat (Sitara-e-Jur'at & Bar) was born on 6 July 1940. He was commissioned in PAF in 1954 with 16'" GOP Course. During 1965 war, a young Flight Lieutenant Marvin Lesley Middlecoat (known as Commander Lesley) was deployed at Masroor Base, Karachi. During the war, when enemy attacked Karachi, Flight Lieutenant Marvin was one of those pilots who were ready with F•86 aircraft and destroyed two aircraft of IAF within blink of an eye. Due to this brave and professional performance, he became famous as "Defender of Karachi" in the circles of PAF and was awarded Sitara-e-Jur'at.
During the 1971 war, when the PAF high command devised a plan for operation "Amritsar Radar", Wing Commander Marvin Lesley was among 6 pilots who were selected for this difficult mission. It was a plan to destroy Jamnagar Air Base a - very secure air base - from where enemy's aircraft were attacking and damaging Pakistan. On 12 December 1971, when Wing Commander Marvin Lesley together with his other colleagues were busy in destroying aircraft of IAF at the base, MiG aircraft of 47 Squadron of IAF attacked them. Commander Lesley had completed his mission - he took a lower flight and saved his aircraft from two missiles by increasing the speed - when his aircraft reached near Gulf of Kuch, a missile had hit his aircraft. The Pilot of IAF Flight Lieutenant Bharat Bhoshan Soni who hit his aircraft saw him ejecting from the aircraft and falling in the deep sea. He asked IAF Headquarters to send rescue team. When rescue team reached. Commander Les ley was found nowhere. he was declared " Missing in Act ion" and was later awarded Sitara-e-Jur'at & Bar.
Second Lieutenant Daniel Atard was born on 16 February 1952 and was commissioned with 47'" PMA Long Course in Pakistan Army. His initial Posting was in 31 Punjab, which was deployed in Sylhet, East Pakistan. During and after the 1971 war, according to officers and soldiers who were posted there, particularly the then Commanding Officer of 31 Punjab. Lieutenant Colonel Riaz Javed: "That young man always presented himself to volunteer to move with a Fighting Patrol and after every encounter with the enemy; he came with a face beaming with passion and was never upset". On the morning of 13 December 197 1, the Company of Second Lieutenant Daniel returned from a night-long war mission and he was taking breakfast. The news came that enemy has attacked a platoon of 31 Punjab and there were heavy loss of life. This young man filled with the love of his country, ordered his soldiers to get ready and meanwhile immediately reached on the war front.
This intrepid officer got severely injured in this encounter - in the Hospital, when he was on the operation table and three bullets were being removed from his chest, he told the surgeon:
"Please give these bullets to my mother as souvenir and tell her that I received them on my chest to defend my homeland".
(This statement was seen in the notebook of that surgeon by Daniel 's brother. David Atard).
Captain Michael Wilson got commission in 28 Cavalry with 18'" War Course. During 1971 Pakistan- India war, he fought at Chamb Sector.
After the war in Bhojpur, he got injured in a tank accident on 21 November 1972 and on 25 November 1972, this brave son of 28 Cavalry passed away and left such a great story of love for the country and profession, which still today can be seen in the record of the unit and is an example for the following officers to follow.
Since 2003, Christian soldiers have also participated in the current War against Terror.
Major Sarmas Rauf (Tamgha-e-Basalat) is one of those, who sacrificed his life for his motherland in this war. Born on 5 March 1965, he got commission in Pakistan Army with 75 PMA Long Course in 1987 in 44 FF. Out of his entire coloured army service of 20 years and 2 days, he passed 17 years in border areas for the defence of his country.
From the day Pakistan Army had started operation Al-Meezan. 3 Wing Bajaur Scout had taken full part in it and destroyed many important hideouts of extremists under the leadership of Major Sarmas Rauf. During an operation, the extremists took siege of Nawazkot post and used their full force to destroy it. For continuous three days this post was under attack from extremists and Maj Sarmas along with his 140 companions from Bajur Scouts responded effectively to the attacks of enemies.
Though enemy had geographical edge and their posts were above and higher, they also occupied routes and cut off supply to the posts. Despite these difficult circumstances, the soldiers of Nawazkot post were proving themselves as great resisting force and were inflicting major losses on the enemy side. After three days of continuous war and due to lack of supplies. Major Sarmas Rauf took a difficult decision to evacuate the post and to move towards Razmak Fort.
When this brave soldier transported all the officers and soldiers to Razmak Fort and finally when he was heading there, while crossing a dry ravine, his armoured car was hit by a RPG 7 – he got severely injured and due to excessive bleeding, he passed away and reached his final destination to meet his martyred companions. Upon this outstanding performance, Government of Pakistan awarded him with Tamgha-e-Basalat.
At the time of documenting these sacrifices by Christian Martyrs and achievements by Christian Ghazis. I have full faith and conviction that Christian sons of this soil have proved that decision right through the sacrifices of their lives which was taken by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions - by allotting a colour for minorities in the design of our national flag on 11 August [947.
As a nation, being the sons of soil, whatever religion we belong to, we should never let other realize through our actions that this country is divided. Moreover, it was a pleasant surprise for me and I found it during the research that Army looks after the families of martyrs with great care and responsibility. All families of Christians including Mrs. Delsea Christie (widow of Shaheed Peter Christie), Mrs. Rubina Sarmas Rauf(widow of Shaheed Sarmas Rauf). Miss Lesley Middlecoat (daughter of Shaheed Middle Coat) always admires this support from the Army. Pakistan Army Zindabad.
The writer works/for the welfare 0f/ Christian Community and regularly contributes/for print media.
Theconsultants1@hotmail.com
Captain Hassan Javed(SSG) gave his life Today in the On Going operation .
Look at his age & then Look at his sacrifice ,
Next time you start opening your mouth to criticize Pakistan Army , sitting in you Room on a Comfortable chair . Think about them who sacrifice their youth , so you can live without fear of getting blown up .
ONLY THE BRAVE DIE YOUNG.....
