KARACHI: Today marks the 48^th death anniversary of the national hero of Pakistan, whose family hailed from Jammu and Kashmir, Rashid Minhas.

Here are some interesting facts about life and death of Rashid Minhas:

• Rashid Minhas is the only Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer who received the highest Pakistani military award ‘Nishan e Haider’ in 1971 and the youngest to receive this highest honor of gallantry.

• He also served as a youngest and short service officer in the Pakistani Defense Forces Aerial Warfare Service.

• He was born on February 17, 1951. He received his early education from Karachi.

• At 17, he joined the PAF as cadet pilot.

• On this day in 1971, as a pilot still under training, Rashid was taxing out a T-33 Jet trainer for take-off, when a Bengali pilot instructor, Flight Lieutenant Mataur Rahman, forced his way into the rear cockpit. In mid-air Rahman knocked Minhas out, seized control of the aircraft and headed towards India and Rashid did the only thing within his control and forced that plane to crash just 32 miles from the Indian border in Thatta, deliberately sacrificing his life for the honour of Pakistan.

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