Bilal Zafar

Captain Bilal Zafar Abbasi (1982-2009) (Urdu: بلال ظفر) was a Pakistan Army officer who received Sitara-e-Basalat on the 62nd Independence Day of Pakistan.[1] He was a Captain in the 42 Baloch Regiment(MIB).

This article is about the Pakistan Army officer. For the British comedian, see Bilal Zafar (comedian).
Shaheed

Bilal Zafar Abbasi

Sitara-e-Basalat
Captain Bilal Zafar Shaheed (2 February 1982- 17 May 2009) on the occasion of United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Ivory Coast
Born2 February 1982
Rawalpindi, Punjab
Died17 May 2009(2009-05-17) (aged 27)
Peochar Valley, Swat
Allegiance Pakistan
Service/branch Pakistan Army
Years of service2003-2009
RankCaptain
Service numberPA-40561
Unit42 Baloch Regiment (MIB)
Special Services Group
Battles/wars(UNOCI)
Operation Rah-e-Rast
AwardsSitara-e-Basalat

Early life

Education

He was born in Rawalpindi on 2 February, 1982. Bilal Zafar got his early education from St. Paul’s Cambridge School, Rawalpindi and Government College University, Lahore.[2]

Military Background

He belonged to a prominent family with military background. His father, Zafar Tajamul, is a retired captain.[3] His grandfather, Colonel Tajammal Hussain was a commissioned officer in the British Indian Army. He fought Second World War and remained a PoW. Later on, he joined INA. After Independence, he opted for the Pakistan Army. He volunteered for the war of independence of Kashmir. He raised and commanded first Bagh Brigade and fought on Poonch front. For his valour and bravery, he was awarded with the medal of FAKHR-E-KASHMIR. He was the Defence Secretary of the Azad Kashmir government. Later on, he raised the Civil Defence Department in the Azad Kashmir government.

The great-grandfather of Captain Bilal, Subedar Lal Khan, fought the First World War. He gave his life during action. For his death in combat, he was awarded the INDIAN ORDER OF MERIT - the second highest military award.

His brother, Captain Zarrar, is also a commando officer in the Pakistan army and has participated in many operations.

Military career

He joined the Pakistan Army in 2001 and was commissioned into 42 Baloch Regiment(Al-Havi) on 12 October 2003.[2] Later, he joined the SSG.[4] He also served in United Nations peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast.

Death

Operation Rah-e-Rast began in May 2009 and involved the Pakistan Army and Taliban militants in a fight for control of the Swat district of Pakistan. The SSG started an operation 'Janbaz' to clear Swat valley from militants. His company was given the task to clear Swat-Peochar Road. During this operation, Captain Bilal Zafar was on 17 May, 2009 martyred after being hit by fire from a rocket launcher in the chest.[4] One day after his death, he was buried in his native village Kehror Kotli Sattian on 18 May, 2009.[2] The Government of Pakistan announced the Sitara-e-Basalat for him on the 62nd Independence Day of Pakistan.[5]

References
  1. "Welcome to ISPR". www.ispr.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  2. "Home". In Loving Memory Of Captain Bilal Zafar Abbasi-shaheed.
  3. Express Tribune. "Pakistan army pays heavy price in Taliban war". Michael Georgy. Express Tribune. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  4. The News International. "'... Shahadat Hai Matloob-o-Maqsood-e-Momin ...'". Lt Gen (R) Ali Kuli Khan. The News International. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  5. The News International. "Military awards announced". From Print Edition. The News International. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
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