Rana Shabbir Sharif

Major Rana Shabbir Sharif, also known as Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (28 April 1943 – 6 December 1971), was a Pakistani Army officer. He is the only person ever who received both the Sitara-e-Jurat and Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery. He is nephew of another Nishan-e-Haider holder Raja Aziz Bhatti. Shabbir Sharif is the elder brother of sitting Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan General Raheel Sharif.

Early life and education
He was born on 28 April 1943 in Kunjah, Gujrat District to Major Muhammad Sharif and belonged to a Punjabi Rajput family. Completed his Matric from St. Anthony's High School, Lahore and while he was at Government College Lahore that he received a call to join Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul.

Military career and death in action
He was commissioned in Pakistan Army on 19 April 1964 and after successfully completing his training, after which he was awarded the Sword of Honor, he was posted to the 6th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.

In the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Pakistan Army launched an offensive on the Western front against the enemy. Major Shabbir, as commander of a company of 6 Frontier Force Regiment, was ordered to capture high ground overlooking Grumukhi Khera and Beri, a village in the Sulemanki Sector.

He used to play squash and won Army level swimming medal while he was in 4th Frontier Force Regiment.

On 3 December 1971, in a well-organised action, he fought valiantly alongside his men and held Indian attacks at bay. He cleared the Jhangar post with utmost courage by fearlessly passing through the minefield laid by enemy and swimming across a water obstacle, the 'Sabuna distributary',whilst under intense enemy fire and led his company to capture the onjective. During the day, his troops repelled over 15 Indian attempts to recapture the high ground.

On the afternoon of 6 Dec, the enemy launched another counter attack preceded by air strikes and heavy artillery shelling. After casualties amongst the crew, Shabbir Sharif took over as a gunner on an anti-tank gun and started firing on the enemy tanks. While this fight was on, one of the enemy tanks fired at him causing fatal injuries which resulted in his death at the age of 28. His last words were quoted as: “Don’t lose the bridge.” It was the same bridge he died defending from the enemy’s attack.

Family
His younger brother, General Raheel Sharif, became Chief of Army Staff, the highest rank in the Pakistan Army, in November 2013. He is also the relative of another Nishan-e-Haider holder Raja Aziz Bhatti.

Awards and decorations

 * Sword of Honor
 * Sitara-i-Jur'at
 * Nishan-e-Haider<ref name="Army's-superman"