Pakistan marks 51st martyrdom anniversary of Rashid Minhas today

The 51st death anniversary of the youngest Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer— awarded country’s top military honor ‘Nishan-e-Haider’, Rashid Minhas is being observed today (Saturday). 

Born on 17 February 1951 in Karachi and was commissioned as a GD-Pilot in the PAF in March 1971.

He belonged to the famous Minhas clan of Rajputs. 

On 20 August 1971 during a routine training mission on a T-33 Jet trainer, Rashid Minhas was stopped by an instructor Flight Lieutenant Mati-ur-Rehman who got into the instructor’s seat, seized control and tried to fly the jet to India.

He was awarded the military’s highest honour ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ posthumously for his bravery and became the youngest man in history and the only member of the PAF to be honored with this award.

Meanwhile, the military’s media wing tweeted commemorating the sacrifice by Minhas marking his 50th martyrdom anniversary.