A Dashing Commando – Capt. Tariq Jamal Shaheed. SBt.
by Lt Col Amer Islam.
It was a moonless, pitch dark night pre-ceding 14 August 2012, when Tariq Force and Mustajab Force left their operational base and started closing with the Terrorists' strong hold on the spur of a peak at Orakzai Agency. This Strong hold consisted of a series of multistoried compounds. These terrorists were responsible for massacre and displacement of hundreds of innocent people of Orakzai Agency, for no fault of them. Capt. Tariq Jamal's unit; 6 Commando Battalion was assigned the mission to clear the strong hold miscreants and prevent reinforcement to them from surrounding villages, so as to facilitate capture of two tactically important heights; Point 2514 and 2524, in close proximity of each other. . 15 Punjab Regiment was to follow the assault force and capture the peaks. Talha Company of 6 Commando Battalion was assigned the responsibility to establish blocking position in the Eastern direction, while Jaffar Company was to clear and block resistance on the Western spur and Saad Company ensured efficacious logistics supply to entire force.
As soon as Tariq Force and Mustajab Force closed with the compounds, all at once the vicious uproar of automatic fire broke the pin drop silence of night. The terrorists had detected their movement very close to their hide out. The battle had begun and it actually presented a tough challenge for the force as they had to negotiate through unadulterated fire while moving uphill. But the terrorists did not know that they were confronting some diehard, motivated and well trained commandos. Mustajab Force provided base of fire and in its cover, Tariq Force successfully made it to the crest. The miscreants straightaway got into prepared positions and commenced engaging them from loopholes. Their most potent weapons were hand grenades, as the Tariq Force was now within grenade throwing range and his two comrades sustained multiple injuries owing to the grenades which exploded close to them. Tariq and Mustajab consulted each other on wireless sets and resorted to the same technique used earlier; Mustajab brought effective fire on miscreants' compounds to keep their heads down, while Tariq took one of his combat team close to first compound and stacked with the wall. He then very courageously started lobbing grenades from the windows of the compounds, caring little about the safety of his own life. Due to his bold action, the first compound was soon cleared and now it was the time to move to the second. But instantly, a situation arose and Company Commander having received intelligence information, ordered Mustajab to move his force North West, as it was learnt that miscreants' reinforcement was fast approaching within 15 minutes time. Tariq was now without the cover of Mustajab Force but he stayed calm and told Mustajab in measured tones, through his wireless set, not to worry him. His voice throughout the conduct of this intense operation, as heard all over the communication network was so cool and calm that he never appeared to be in the thick of the combat. His comforting voice amidst the non-stop noise of bullets fire was a real treat to listen in fact.
Captain Tariq Jamal then deputed an assault team of his force on covering role and himself moved forward to clear rest of the opposition. The automatic fire and grenades throwing by miscreants was still continuing at an intense scale. In the process, three more comrades of Capt. Tariq got hit by the splinters of grenades; one out of them seriously injured having been hit in the eyes and instantly lost his sight. This precarious situation could not at all stagger the unflinching determination of Capt. Tariq Jamal. . He administered quick first aid to the injured fellows and moved forward with even higher resolve. Next two compounds were cleared in even less time than the former. It was in fact, his daring action, high tactical sense, excellent field craft, and mastery on the use of night fighting equipment and, above all, an unwavering determination that miscreants could not withstand… and found no choice but to flee away. However, a last pocket of resistance based on a tower post was still an impediment in gaining full control of the ridge. . Tariq himself climbed up the roof top to clear the tower observation post. During advance towards the final objective, while firing a quick burst, he also received a splinter of a grenade lobbed by the last escaping miscreant.
The compound's complex was now cleared, the resistance had been eliminated, the beautiful morning of 14 August 2012 had dawned with a message of freedom and soon the follow-up force swept across the entire peak, but the hero of the action was now lying unconscious. The tiny pallet of the grenade had penetrated his brain and being a head injury, it was to be taken seriously. Soon the standby medical evacuation chopper landed at Ghilju and took this brave son of soil to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Peshawar for emergency treatment Tariq remained admitted there for 15 days, but could not get back to mortal life. He was a chosen one and was called back by Almighty Allah on 29 August 2012 to embrace the immortal life.
"And those who die in the cause of Allah, don’t call them dead; they are alive but you don’t know that ". (Al Quran).
To my firm belief, all the martyrs have something special in their personality, which make them worthy of such eminence and nobility, and Tariq was no exception. He was brilliant as a student, obedient as a son, and very caring as a brother. His father passed away when Tariq was a young lad. But he shouldered the much enhanced responsibilities remarkably and never let his young brothers and sister feel the absence of their father. He was actually a man with so many good qualities; a lively and cherishing comrade, a good sportsman, a profession combater, an extremely cool man under stress conditions and also a very stylish person. He had his individual style in his professional and private life. In his dress code, in his conversation and in his social conduct. He possessed a balanced personality and fulfilled his professional, social and personal obligations at purity.
And last but not the least; he was a brave, fearless and a dashing commando, who contemplated no threat while defending the motherland. The heroic battle of 14August 2012 - was not his only spectacle. Just twenty days back, on 25 July, he volunteered for and led mid mission at a 'Safe house' and successfully destroyed it through a skillful demonstration of commando tactics. He always led from front and that is why his subordinates always loved to work in his command. Tariq is loved and liked by all ranks alike.
6 Commando "AL-SAMSAAM" Battalion would always miss his lively company and the treasures of his sweet memories would last in our hearts forever. To acknowledge his brave action, he has been conferred upon 'Sitara-e-Basalat' by Government of Pakistan. May Allah Almighty bless his soul with countless bounties and rewards? And may we find light of destination, following his foot prints.
Ameen.
The writer is commanding a Commando Battalion of Special Service Group (SSG).
Hilal
.....ak47 being used is chambered in 7.62 x 39mm, ak 47 does not come in 5.56 . however Russians made their own round 5.45 for AK 74 and aks 74 u / krinkov
