Burewala-Vehari has been a different part of the world, out of my usual routes. Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed’s (Nihah e Haider) resting place has been an inviting icon on the satellite imagery I very dearly saved once to remind me of my commitment to pay homage to a National Hero. The invitation to the Raising Day by my Ex Regiment at Okara Cantt was in fact a direct call from Chak Number 253 E.B. (Tufailabad), the abode of Major Tufail Shaheed, Nishan e Haider. Drive from Okara to Tufailabad was characteristically dull in a mid-summer noon of Central Punjab. The consolation prize was my companion of the ride (I owe you the memoirs of a trip that could have never been the same without you). We got immersed into an unending stream of some vintage patriotic melodies. The winding roads and tracks of the local villages bonded us to the soil whose brave son we were going to call on. After entering Tufail Gate on Arifwala-Burewala Road, our hearts bowed with gratitude and we offered a Salute right at the doorstep of Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed, Nishan e Haider.

Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed was the second recipient of Pakistan Army’s highest gallantry award The Nishan e Haider. Recruited in 1932, commissioned in 1943, Major Tufail Muhammad served in 16 Punjab Regiment in pre-partition India and in 13 Punjab Regiment of Pakistan Army. In 1958, the Major was posted as the Company Commander in East Pakistan Rifles. On August 7, 1958 Major Tufail with his force launched an assault on Indian Troops who had captured a village near Lakshmipur in erstwhile East Pakistan, violating the International Border. The attacking force came under heavy fire and Major Tufail received three bullets in his stomach. Despite being shot, he kept leading his men and was able to silence the incoming fire from machine gun. It was during the heavy battle that Major Tufail, upon spotting the enemy commander, crawled towards him engaging in hand-to-hand battle. He killed the enemy commander by hitting him with his steel helmet on the face. This key action resulted in the withdrawal of Indian forces. Being heavily injured, Major Tufail Muhammad was rushed to hospital where he embraced Shahadat. He was posthumously awarded Nishan e Haider.