Today marks the 53rd death anniversary of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, a national hero who was awarded Pakistan’s highest military honor, the Nishan-i-Haider, for his bravery.
The Army, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), and Service Chiefs paid tribute to Rashid Minhas, who showed incredible courage and sacrifice.
In 1971, during the conflict with India, Rashid Minhas, at just 20 years old, heroically defended Pakistan’s airspace. He made the ultimate sacrifice to stop a hijacking attempt, which earned him the Nishan-e-Haider.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) emphasized that Minhas’s sacrifice is a powerful example of the dedication and selflessness of Pakistan’s armed forces. His bravery continues to inspire future generations, reminding them of the importance of courage, loyalty, and patriotism. The nation honors his memory and his role in protecting Pakistan.
Rashid Minhas was born on February 17, 1951, in Karachi, and belonged to the famous Minhas clan of Rajputs. His childhood love for aircraft and aviation led him to pursue his passion. After completing his studies, he earned a degree in military history and aviation history from the University of Karachi.
In 1971, he became a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. One day, while he was about to take off, a Bengali instructor pilot, Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, signaled him to stop and then boarded the plane, intending to defect to India with the jet. Rashid Minhas, realizing the situation, radioed the airbase to report the hijacking. To prevent Rahman from succeeding, Minhas forced the plane to crash just 32 miles from the Indian border, sacrificing his life for Pakistan.
Rashid Minhas spent his early childhood in Lahore before moving to Rawalpindi with his family. He became the youngest person and the only member of the Pakistan Air Force to be awarded the Nishan-e-Haider. To honor his bravery, the Pakistan Air Force base at Kamra was renamed PAF Base Minhas, often referred to as Minhas-Kamra.
