Nishan-e-Haider
Encyclopedia
Nishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder ' onMouseout='HidePop("52232")' href="/topics/Ali">Haider
, where Haider is the epithet of Hazrat Ali
and means Lion
", abbreviated as NH) is the highest military decoration
given by Pakistan (it is the equivalent to the Victoria Cross
and the Medal of Honor
under the British Honours System
and the United States Honors System respectively). It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947. It is awarded to military personnel, regardless of rank, for extraordinary bravery in combat
. The award is considered to be the highest military award and is only awarded to those who have sacrificed their life. Its exclusivity may be gauged by the fact that since it was established only 11 awards have been made, along with one equivalent award. To date all awards have been made posthumously. However, death of the individual during the act of extreme courage is not mandatory for qualification for Nishan-e-Haider. Of the 10 recipients, 9 have been from the Pakistan Army
, one has been from the Pakistan Air Force
and no one from Pakistan Navy
.
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
, where Haider is the epithet of Hazrat Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
and means Lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
", abbreviated as NH) is the highest military decoration
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
given by Pakistan (it is the equivalent to the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
and the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
under the British Honours System
British honours system
The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories...
and the United States Honors System respectively). It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947. It is awarded to military personnel, regardless of rank, for extraordinary bravery in combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
. The award is considered to be the highest military award and is only awarded to those who have sacrificed their life. Its exclusivity may be gauged by the fact that since it was established only 11 awards have been made, along with one equivalent award. To date all awards have been made posthumously. However, death of the individual during the act of extreme courage is not mandatory for qualification for Nishan-e-Haider. Of the 10 recipients, 9 have been from the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, one has been from the Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
and no one from Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
.
The Decoration
- Category: Operational (Awarded to deceased members of the Pakistani Military Forces whose death occurred during times of conflict)
- Definition: It is the highest Military award and holds seniority among civil and military awards. It is open to all ranks for acts of heroism/conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger or devotion to the country in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air.
- Manufacture: It is made from the surrendered enemy gun made with metal.
Recipients
To date, no living person has received the award.- Captain Muhammad Sarwar ShaheedMuhammad SarwarRaja Muhammad Sarwar Khan Bhati was born in Singhori village, Tehsil Gujar Khan, District of Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. Muhammad Sarwar was a captain in the newly formed Pakistani Army. Commissioned: 1944, Punjab Regiment...
(1910–July 27, 1948), 2/1st Punjab - Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed (1914–August 7, 1958), East Pakistan Rifles
- Major Raja Aziz Bhatti ShaheedAziz BhattiMajor Raja Aziz Bhatti was a Hong Kong-born Pakistan Army's Staff officer who received Pakistan's highest award for valor. He was born in Hong Kong in 1928. He moved to Pakistan before it became independent in 1947, living in the village of Ladian,Tehsil Kharian, Gujrat...
(1928–September 10, 1965), 17 Punjab - Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed (1938–1971), 4 FF
- Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (1951–August 20, 1971), PAF Training Squadron
- Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (1943–December 6, 1971), 6 FF
- Sowar Muhammad Hussain ShaheedSawar Muhammad HussainSawar Muhammad Hussain Janjua Shaheed was born in Dhok Pir Bakhsh near Jatli in Gujar Khan on June 18, 1949. He joined Pakistan Army as a driver on September 3, 1966 at a very young age of 17 years...
(1949–December 10, 1971), 20 Lancers - Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed (1944–December 17, 1971), 15 Punjab
- Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (1970–July 5, 1999), 12 NLI
- Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed (1967–July 7, 1999), 12 NLI
- Naik Saif Ali JanjuaSaif Ali JanjuaNaik Saif Ali Janjua Pakistan Army Azad Kashmir Regiment was a platoon commander during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He received the Hilal-e-Kashmir from the government of Azad Kashmir, which is equal to Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award given by Pakistan. He fought in the Kashmir...
(25 April 1922–26 October 1948), Azad Kashmir Regiment
See also
- Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces
- Pakistan Military