Padma Shree Award conferred to Ex-Pak Soldier – Pakistani Soldier
Lt. Col Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahar is a former Pakistani soldier who risked his life by Crossing over to India and helping Liberate Bangladesh in the 1971 War.
The Padma Award, which is the highest civilian honours in India, is conferred to Lt. Col Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir by President Ram Nath Kovind. Sajjad Ali Zahir is a former Pakistani soldier who risked his life by crossing over to India and helping liberate Bangladesh in the 1971 war.
The Padma Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order), and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines as well.
He was honoured and thrown into the spotlight this week when stepping onto the podium to receive the Padma Shri, recognition of his contributions to the Indian intelligence and subsequently, the Bangladesh Freedom Movement. Lt. Col Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (Retd.) for public affairs. He is an independent researcher and author on the Bangladesh Liberation War. He is known for his efforts in the war of Liberation and participated in many battles alongside the Indian Army.
He also risked his life to help India and just at the age of 20 year-old officer posted in Sialkot, Lt.Col Zahir crossed over to neighboring India at the highest of India at the height of the Pakistani army’s atrocities and human rights violations in Bangladesh.
Lt. Col Zahir is hated by the Pakistani even today as according to the ex-military man, there’s a death sentence pending in his name in Pakistan for the past 50 years. According to The Daily Star, Dhaka, Lt Col Zahir took part in combats in the Sylhet area during the war. He also fought battles at Borolekha, Shamsher Nagar, Juri, Mongla Bazar and Kulaura. Lt Col Zahir, who retired from service in 1982, has authored 26 books on the liberation war, The Daily Star reported. Also, helped the Bangladesh government bring mortal remains of freedom fighters from India.
In Bangladesh, however, Lt Col Zahir has been honoured with gallantry medals such as the Bir Protik and the country’s highest civilian honour, the Swadhinata Padak. Now India, too, has recognized his contributions to the military history of the subcontinent and conferred on him the Padma Shri.
Being suspected as a Pakistani spy caused him many troubles and was grilled by the BSF and later by senior officers of the Indian Army in Pathankot. Later, he was sent to a safe house in Delhi, from where the Indian Intelligence coordinated with him. Finally, the former Pakistani Soldier moved to Bangladesh, where he trained the Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) in guerilla warfare to take on Pakistani forces.
MAIL US AT info@edumound.com
