Lt. Col Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahar received Padma Shri Award for risking his life by crossing over to India and helping liberate Bangladesh in the 1971 war. He is known for his efforts in the war of liberation and participated in many battles alongside the Indian Army. He moved 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.