Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: نشان حیدر) (abbreviated as "NH") is Pakistan's highest military gallantry award. "Nishan-e-Haider" literally means "Mark of the Lion" in the Urdu language. The word "Haider" is also the epithet of Ali, who is referred to as the 'Lion of God', a valiant warrior and leader.[3]
The Nishan-e-Haider can only be awarded to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces for the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy in air, land or sea. Its exclusivity can be gauged by the fact that, since Pakistan's independence in 1947, it has been awarded only ten times (now eleven, due to Hilal-e-Kashmir being equal to Nishan-e-Haider).
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History
The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the Government of Pakistan and named after Ali ibn Abi Talib on 16 March 1957,[citation needed] the year that Pakistan became a republic. It was applied retrospectively from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947. It is Pakistan's highest award and takes precedence over all military and civil awards. Of the ten Nishan-e-Haider recipients to date, nine have been from the Army and one from the Air Force.
Although some consider it equivalent to the British Victoria Cross and the United States Medal of Honor, it is unique in that it has so far been awarded only posthumously.
Criterion
The Nishan-e-Haider can be awarded to all ranks of the Armed Forces for showing feats of extraordinary courage in confronting the enemy. As a matter of practice and precedent, it has only been awarded where it has been established that the recipient acted despite high risks and was killed in the act.[4][5]
Manufacturing
The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by Pakistan Mint on order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment and consists of 88% copper, 10% tin and 2% zinc.
Recipients
| № | Name of the recipient | Regiment | Rank | Battle | Date of martyrdom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saif Ali Janjua Hilal-e-Kashmir | 18 Azad Kashmir Regiment, Pakistan Army | Naik | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 | 26th April 1948 |
| 2 | Raja Muhammad Sarwar | 2/1 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army | Captain | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 | 27 July 1948 |
| 3 | Tufail Mohammad | 16th Punjab Regiment Border Guards Bangladesh East Pakistan Rifles, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pak Border skirmish 1958 | 7 August 1958 |
| 4 | Raja Aziz Bhatti | 17 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 | 10 September 1965 |
| 5 | Rashid Minhas | No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit, Pakistan Air Force | Pilot Officer | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 20 August 1971 |
| 6 | Muhammad Akram | 4 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 5 December 1971 |
| 7 | Shabbir Sharif | 6 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan Army | Major | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 6 December 1971 |
| 8 | Muhammad Hussain Janjua | 20 Lancers (Armoured Corps), Pakistan Army | Sowar | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 10 December 1971 |
| 9 | Muhammad Mahfuz | 15 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army | Lance naik | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | 17 December 1971 |
| 10 | Karnal Sher Khan | 27 Sindh Regiment/12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan Army | Captain | Kargil War | 5 July 1999 |
| 11 | Lalak Jan | 12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan Army | Havaldar | Kargil War | 7 July 1999 |
See also
References
- ^ "Honours and Awards".
- ^ "ODM of Pakistan: Order of the Lion".
- ^ "ʿAlī Muslim caliph". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
- ^ "Honours and Awards". Pakistan Army. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "Nishan e Haider holders of Pakistan Army ~ PAKISTAN DEFENCE BLOG". www.defenceblog.org. Retrieved 2015-08-24.