Muhammad Mehfuz Shaheed

Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed (born October 25, 1944)was a Pakistani soldier, who was awarded Nishan-i-Haider, the highest Military award of Pakistan. He was born in Pind Malikan (now Mahfuzabad) in Rawalpindi District on. Muhammad Mahfuz joined Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962 as an infantry soldier.

At the time of India-Pakistan War of 1971, Mahfuz was serving in Company “A” of 15 Punjab Regiment deployed on theWagah-Attari Sector. On the night of December 17–18, his company occupied Phul Kanjri village in that sector. He was assigned to Platoon No. 3, which was designated as the forward unit in the assault. When the entire Company “A” was about 70 yards from the Indian position, it was pinned down by heavy frontal and cross fire from automatic weapons.Artillery fire began at dawn. Mahfuz, whose machine-gun was destroyed by an enemy shell, charged the Indian defences.

Mahfuz advanced towards an enemy bunker whose fire had inflicted heavy casualties. Even though wounded in both legs by shell splinters, when he reached the bunker he attacked. He was hit with a bayonet. Although unarmed, he grabbed an enemy enemy soldier, suffering another bayonet wound. Due to his injuries, he died on the night of 17 December 1971.

For his supreme courage, Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was awarded Nishan-i-Haider, the highest Military award of Pakistan.