Rashid Minhas was born on 17th February, 1951 was
a Pilot Officer in Pakistan Air Force. He is only PAF Officer to receive the
highest Military Award i.e. Nishan-e-Haider.
Rashid Minhas Martyred today, while he was trying to gain the control of his
jet from defecting pilot Matiur Rehman
who was also his instructor.
Rashid Minhas was commissioned on 13th March, 1971,
in 51st GDP (General Pilot Duty) Course. He was preparing for his 3rd
solo flight in a T-33 jet trainer from Karachi. Minhas was taxing towards his
jet for flight, when a Bengali Instructor signaled him to stop and took the
seat of instructor.
This was the time of war between Pakistan and India, and
Pakistan Army is facing hard time in Eastern Pakistan (Bangladesh). The Bengali
Instructor turned the jet towards India.
Rashid Minhas know the situation and send a radio message
towards PAF Base Masroor. Minhas said that he was hijacked by his Bengali instructor.
Bengali Instructor was trying to defect to India to join his teammates in India
to join Bangladesh Liberation War.
Rashid Minhas struggled in the air to gain the control of
jet. Each of the pilot on jet tried physically to took the charge of plane by
using mechanically linked flight controls. However when the young and patriot
Pilot felt that his instructor will land in India, he decided that most
important decision of his life. He turn the jet towards ground and jet crashed
near Thatta about 52 KM away from India.
To honor him, a PAF Base was renamed as PAF Base Minhas and
now termed as PAF Mihas-Kamra Base. We are proud on people like Rashid Minhas,
who sacrifice his life for the safety of his country.
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