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'Nishan-e-Haider' (, translated as Order of the Lion, abbreviated as NH), is the highest military award given by Pakistan. It is awarded to select soldiers who display valor and courage on the battle field in the face of adversity.

Contents

Origins

The award

Recipients

Gallery

Notes & References

See also

External links

Origins

According to Edward Haynes and Lukasz Gaszewski in their International Electronic Phaleristic Encyclopedia, the medal is named after Hyder Naik (1722-1782 CE), better known as Haidar Ali. Naik is said to have changed his name to Ali in honor of the fourth caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib, owing to Ali's bravery, courage, self-control, and exceptional service to the cause of Islam. However, according to the Combat Heritage of Pakistan Air Force the medal's name can be traced to the epithet "Haider" or "Haydar", Lion, commonly applied to the fourth caliph and first Shia Imam.

The award

★ Category: Operational (Awarded to members of the Armed Forces during times of conflict)

★ Definition: It is the highest gallantry 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.
The Nishan-e-Haider is awarded to both men and women. It is given to living soldiers as well as reward posthumously. The medal has been awarded to only ten soldiers even though Pakistan has been involved in three wars (1948, 1965, 1971) and a major conflict in Kargil during the summer of 1999.

Recipients

Nishan-e-Haider recipients receive an honorary title as a sign of respect: ''Shaheed'' meaning ''martyr'' for deceased recipients and ''Ghazi'' meaning ''victor'' for living recipients. To date, no living person has received the award.
# Captain. Muhammad Sarwar (1910–July 27, 1948)
# Major Tufail Muhammad (1914–August 7, 1958)
# Major Raja Aziz Bhatti (1928–September 10, 1965)
# Major Muhammad Akram (1938–1971)
# Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas (1951–August 20, 1971)
# Major Shabbir Sharif (1943–December 6, 1971)
# Jawan Sawar Muhammad Hussain(1949–December 10, 1971)
# Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz (1944–December 17, 1971)
# Captain. Karnal Sher Khan (1970–July 5, 1999)
# Havaildar Lalak Jan (1967–July 7, 1999)

Gallery

Notes & References

1. PAF Combat website on military awards


★ Nishan-e-Haider, ''from Pakistan Television Corp (PTV). Television drama on Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, Rashid Minhas Shaheed, and Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed''

★ Edward Haynes webpage on Pakistani awards

★ Geocities website on military awards

See also

★ Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military

★ Hilal-i-Jurat

★ Medal of Honor

★ Pakistan Military

External links

★ PAF Falcons - Heroes

★ The Shaheed Foundation's list of recipients

★ Its Pakistan webpage on military award recipients

★ Article on Shabbir Sharif by Nasir M. Khan

★ Article on Lalak Jan 'Dohat' by Nasir M. Khan

★ Article on Rashid Minhas by PakMilitary.net