Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed was born in Hoshiarpur in 1914. He was commissioned in Pakistan Army inside 16thPunjab regiment in 1943. During his professionally exceptional career he served in several instructional and command posts related to his very own Battalion. But the fate had decided to choose something best for him. During 1958 he was posted to East Pakistan Rifles (a border protection force in the then East Pakistan) as a Company Commander.
Right from the creation of Pakistan the enemy was engaged in doing all necessary stuff to threaten its sovereignty. To accomplish this in full spectrum Indian troops were also creating disturbances along the East Pakistan border with India. Soon after the posting of Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed in East Pakistan Rifles the enemy captured a village in remote area. Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed was given the task to clear that mess. He studied the terrain and planned to attack during night. He grouped his men into three and decided to launch an assault on the Indian aggressors. Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed advanced with his soldiers and approached touching distance away from enemy units. At that instant the Indian Troops realized the arrival of Pakistani Lions out of their den. Panic occurred among their ranks and they started heavy firing to repulse Pakistani armed forces commanded by Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed. But the storm had launched because they were facing not ordinary people but the men from Pakistan Army renowned throughout the world (even among enemy) for valor and incredible accomplishments. They were facing an Army whose commanders do not make plans in furnished rooms but acclaimed for leading from the front. Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed was setting that example too at that particular instant.
During his advance to penetrate inside enemy units Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed was stuck with three bullets which pierced inside his stomach. But his will power never ceased his steps even the blood was consistently showering out of his stomach. He through a grenade and silenced the same enemy machine gun whose bullets riddled his chest. But it was not enough for him as he destroyed another machine gun of enemy through throwing grenade precisely. With fatal injuries he crawled towards an enemy officer who was aiming to kill a Pakistani soldier. He stretched his leg to stumble that enemy officer and in a hand to hand battle Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed thrashed enemy officer’s head through his steel helmet. Even in injuries he governed the whole operation until all the area was cleared with enemy troops. But the wounds incurred by him during all operation were fatal. He was rushed to the hospital but martyred the same day due to wounds.
However he served the cause required from him. For this act of bravery he was awarded with Pakistan’s Army High Ranking Medal “Nishan e Haider” leaving the whole nation proud of him.
