PR
LAHORE
It was the first day of surprise Indian attack on the Pakistani soil and Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was commanding a company in Barki area of Lahore.
Although two of his platoons were located 600 yards to the rear side of BRB Canal, he chose to stay with the forward platoon at Barki to lead the men himself.
Barki dominated the whole area in front of BRB Canal and needed to be recaptured before the enemy could attack the canal. From the second day of Indian aggression, 7th September 1965, the enemy’s tanks-supported brigade kept attacking incessantly, using full weight of artillery and direct shots from the tanks.
The Indians launched six major attacks but the Pakistani troops in Barki held on in spite of the fact that enemy kept on bringing fresh troops. Major Aziz Bhatti, regardless of his personal safety, was leading the forward troops and exhorted the men to continue the fight with grim determination.
On the early morning of 11 September, the enemy put in a major attack along the whole sector. A battalion of the enemy pressed on the Barki position which held on until, in view of the situation on the right flank, Major Bhatti was asked to pull out to the home bank of BRB Canal.
 Major Bhatti, with his section, fought his way to the ferry site on the BRB Canal and found it occupied by the enemy. Some of his company vehicles and men were still on the enemy side and it was essential to clear the bank of enemy.
He mustered the two sections around him; personally led the attack on the enemy and successfully cleared the area. He then organised the evacuation of men and vehicles to the other bank; continued to fire and was the last one to come back to the home bank. Without his unmatched courage and exemplary leadership, the Company would have lost three of its vehicles and whole platoon.
Once again on the home bank, Major Bhatti organised his Company and took the charge but without getting visibility for calculated combat, which was bound to exposure, it was impossible to repel the enemy. The brave son of Pakistan, Major Aziz Bhatti, raised his head above BRB Canal bank to get a view of the other side.
Since this bank was plastered throughout day and night by enemy artillery, it was difficult for any artillery observer to function from this bank. Major Bhatti took upon himself this dangerous task and successfully countered several attacks by bringing down effective fire on advancing enemy tanks and infantry.
Each time, he had to expose himself to the full dangers of enemy shelling, automatic weapons and tanks. At 0900 hours on 12 September 1965, amid the heavy firing and shelling from both sides, an enemy tank fired a shell which struck Major Aziz Bhatti on left shoulder. He couldn’t succumb to the hit and died on the same ground he was fighting on.
Major Bhatti symbolised patriotism, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty in its purest form and always preferred the duty over comfort or safety. He led his men most gallantly with ability and personal example.
A day before his death when the Commanding Officer told him that he would be relieved in view of the severe fatigue he had undergone for so many days and nights. Major Bhatti remarked, “I will not come back, I shall die defending this place”.
His spirit and supreme act of valour will inspire the Pakistani nation for all times to come. Nation would never forget its heroes.