RASHID MINHAS SHAHEED

PILOT OFFICER RASHID MINHAS SHAHEED,
NISHAN-E-HAIDER

     Born 17 February 1951, commissioned as a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force.
     Pilot Officer Minhas was taxiing for take-off on a routine traning flight when an
     Instructor Pilot (Muti-ur-Rehman) forced his way into the rear cockpit, seized
     control of the aircraft and took off. When Minhas realized that the absconding
     pilot was heading towards India, he tried to regain control of the plane but was
     unable to do so. Knowing that it meant certain death, he damaged the controls
     and forced the aircraft to crash thirty two miles short of the border on 20
     August 1971. He died at the age of 20 and was awarded the 'Nishan-i-Haider' -
     The highest award of bravery in Pakistan.

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