City Secert – Meeting Rashid Minhas

Rest in peace in Karachi. A childhood hero of every Pakistani. A hero who will stay young for eternity. M.M. Alam despite his speed shooting classics aged but Minhas never did. He stayed as young as he was on the fateful day of 20th August 1971. Forever young in our memory.

On the morning of Friday, 20th August, 1971, Rashid Minhas, went on his regular flight on a jet trainer assigned to him. Mutiur rehman, an instructor pilot forced his way into the rear cockpit and seized control of his aircraft. His intention was to take the plane to India and join Bengali rebel forces there. Minhas who was still a rookie had no other choice but to regain control of his aircraft. In his struggle he forced the aircraft to crash at a point 32 miles from the Indian border. For this supreme act of sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded nishan-e-haider. Mutiur rehman, considered a traitor in Pakistan was awarded ‘Bir Sreshtho’, the highest honor in what was to become Bangladesh. He was buried in Masroor Base graveyard and his body was only returned to Bangladesh in 2006. Both Minhas and Mutiur Rehman are considered Shaheed in their respective countries. The tragedy of war. How it puts men of honor against each other.

To say a little prayer, drive to Kala pul while coming from Korangi. On your left turn to the narrow street right after CSD shop and before gora qabrustan. Its a narrow street and highly unlikely one to lead to a Fauji Qabrustan. You will find it around 500 metres away from the start of the street. Walk past the door. Two or three caretakers will greet you. Ask them the directions. Rashid Minahs’s grave is adjacent to the boundary wall separating Fauji Qabrustan from Gora Qabrustan. There is a small canopy on Minhas’ grave but otherwise its a humble one. Say your ‘fateh’.

It was his Shahadat anniversary on 20th August. Just say sorry if you have not remembered him in your prayers.