Havaldar Lalak Jan (Urdu: حولدار لالک جان) (1 April 1967 – 7 July 1999) was a Pakistani military officer and posthumous recipient of Pakistan's highest military award, Nishan-e-Haider. Belonging to the Northern Light Infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army, he was the 10th and most recent recipient of the Nishan-e-Haider and was awarded for his bravery and gallant actions during the Kargil War, where he was killed in action.
Lalak Jan | |
|---|---|
 Tomb of Lalak Jan, Yasin Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan | |
| Native name | حولدار لالک جان |
| Born | 1 April 1967 Yasin Valley, Gilgit–Baltistan, West Pakistan |
| Died | 7 July 1999 (aged 32) |
| Buried | Hundur, Yasin Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Service |  Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1984–1999 |
| Rank |  Havildar |
| Unit | 12 Northern Light Infantry |
| Battles / wars | Kargil War † |
| Awards |  Nishan-e-Haider |
Early life
editLalak Jan was born on 1 April 1967 in Yasin, in the Gupis-Yasin District of Gilgit-Baltistan.[1][2] After completing his education, he joined the Pakistan Army on 10 December 1984 and eventually rose to the rank of Havaldar.[2]
Death
editLalak Jan was serving in the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) when the Kargil War began. He volunteered for deployment on the front lines in May 1999. Later that year, his post came under numerous attacks from the Indian Army, which he successfully repelled. He was killed on 7 July 1999 after succumbing to serious injuries from heavy shelling on his position by Indian forces.[3][4]
According to the official statement:
He was serving in Northern Light Infantry Regiment when skirmishes broke out in Kargil in 1999. Havildar Lalak Jan of the Northern Light Infantry Regiment fought from the forefront to thwart heavy Indian attacks. He volunteered himself to be deployed on the front positions located at the jagged peak in May 1999. Havildar Lalak Jan repulsed back many aggressive ventures by the enemy and imposed colossal losses on them. On 7 July 1999, Havildar Lalak Jan sustained serious injuries as enemies pounded the area with heavy mortar shells. But despite being injured, he retained his position and frustrated the Indian assault. Due to severe injuries, he embraced martyrdom and was graciously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery and his will to attack and defeat the enemy at all costs.[3]
Burial
edit
Lalak Jan was buried in his hometown, Hundur, in the Yasin Valley, Gupis-Yasin District, Gilgit-Baltistan. Each year, officials from the Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Armed Forces, and local residents visit his tomb to offer prayers and lay wreaths.[5]
Awards and decorations
editThe Government of Pakistan awarded him the Nishan-e-Haider, the country's highest honour for extraordinary gallantry.[6]
| Nishan-e-Haider Award Recipient | |
|---|---|
 Lalak Jan was the recipient of the Nishan-e-Haider award | |
| Date | 1999 |
| Country | Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
| Presented by | Muhammad Rafiq Tarar |
References
edit- ^ "Hav. Lalak (Nishan-e-Haider) being remembered". Samaa Tv. 7 July 2011.
- ^ a b "Kargil war hero Lalak Jan being remembered". Samaa Tv. 7 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Havildar Lalak Jan". www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Arshad, Ambreen (5 September 2015). "They rest in honoured glory". Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ "Martyrdom anniversary of Nishan-i-Haider Haveldar Lalak Jan being observed today". Dunya News. 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Nishan-e-Haider: The mark of the lion - The Express Tribune". 6 September 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2018.