Originally named Aziz Ahmad, Major Aziz Bhatti was born in 1928. During the period he was in Hong Kong his name stayed as Aziz Ahmad. Even the initials on the golden ring he wore had engravings of “A.A.” “As a nick name,” said his mother, “We called him Raja”.
In 1946, Major Aziz Bhatti was enlisted as Airman with the
RIAF and within a short period rose to rank of Corporal by 1947.
At the time of partition, he decided to join Pakistan Army
and applied for selection as an officer. He was selected for the first course
to be organised and run at the Pakistan Military Academy – The First PMA Long
Course. The Course started in the last week of January 1948. Gentleman Cadet
Aziz Bhatti excelled and performed well in all aspects of life at PMA.
On the passing out parade of 1st PMA Long Course, Mr.
Liaquat Ali Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, was the chief guest. For
distinguishing himself as the best all-round cadet, and for being the most
brilliant in academics, Liaquat Ali Khan presented the Sword of Honour and the
Norman Gold Medal to Gentleman Cadet Raja Aziz Bhatti. Aziz Bhatti’s Khalid Company
(being Champion Company) was also awarded with the Quaid- i-Azam’s Banner.
It was generally accepted that of all the parades held at
PMA, this happened to be the finest. There was such alacrity and power in the
‘words of command’ of Raja Aziz Bhatti, that even the spectators came to
'attention' in their seats!
At the time of passing out, he joined the 4/16 Punjab
Regiment (now 17 Punjab) as a commissioned officer. With only 11 months of
service, he was appointed as Adjutant of the Battalion. He was later on posted
to the School of Infantry & Tactics, Quetta, from where he appeared for the
entrance examination for Command and Staff College. Humble as ever he asked all
friends to pray for his success. As expected, his name appeared on top of the
list of successful candidates. His selection for the foreign staff course at
Kingston Staff College Canada was due recognition of his brilliance as officer.
Leaving aside Pakistan, there was hardly any other country where an officer
with such a short service was selected for that course. He was promoted to the
rank of Major before he left for Canada. Very popular in the College he, as
usual, distinguished himself in every test. Writing to Brig Niazi from there,
he said, “My English seems to be better than that of the Britishers; my
exercise books hardly have any red marks on the pages.”
During the Kingston Course, Major General Hayauddin (who was
killed in the Cairo crash), came over from New York. When he saw results of the
tests Major Bhatti had taken at the Staff College, he was immensely pleased and
congratulated him. Major Aziz Bhatti passed his Canadian Staff Course with
distinction. On return, the C-in-C of the Army, General Muhammad Ayub Khan,
sent him a special message of felicitations.
When September 1965 war broke out, Major Aziz Bhatti’s Alpha
Company was deployed forward of BRB Canal. On 6th September, once Indian
advancing columns in their bid to surprise Pakistanis found Major Aziz Bhatti’s
men ready to receive them with unwavering will to defend Lahore at all costs.
As a Company Commander, Major Bhatti chose to locate himself with his forward
platoon under constant firing from Indian tanks and artillery. He resisted for
six days and nights defending a Pakistani outpost on the strategic BRB Canal. A
day before his martyrdom, the commanding officer had sent him word that since
he had been fighting untiringly for the last few days, he should take a little
rest and that another officer was being sent to replace him. Major Aziz’s reply
is a reflection of extreme patriotism saying, "Do not call me back. I will
shed the last drop of my blood in the defence of my dear homeland". These
words serve as an inspiration for future generations of Pakistan Army soldiers
and officers.
On September 10, while constantly observing the enemy
terrain, Major Bhatti noticed some trucks speeding up at intervals behind a
cluster of trees, stopping at a point for a while and then dashing back. It was
evident that the enemy was again dumping ammunition and armament at that place.
In the meantime, he also saw a convoy of 13 vehicles moving up. He kept his
eyes on it. As it got close to milestone 17/18, he ordered fire. The entire
convoy was destroyed, engulfed in a huge cloud of smoke. It was evident from
the gunpowder what these vehicles were carrying.
In the afternoon, IAF aircraft made their appearance felt
again, had a circle or two over the border, and went back without any action.
Things then appeared quiet; no transport was visible, nor was there any sign of
troops movement.
He had hardly slept for 15 minutes when he stood up saying.
“Is it actually the sound of moving tanks, or am I imagining it?,” he asked
those around him. Captain Anwar replied, “You are very right. These definitely
are tanks; I’m already trying to locate them.” Major Bhatti picked up the
binoculars, and managed to get two enemy tanks in view. He ordered the fire and
both were knocked down. He continued to scan the area but could not observe any
further movement. Nevertheless, he remained alert all the time.
But sooner, the enemy launched the attack with an Infantry
Brigade comprising 16 Punjab and 4 Sikh Regiments, with a tank regiment and
heavy artillery in their support. By 10 o’clock in the night when shelling had
stopped, Major Bhatti went upstairs and called all the others over the wireless
set, and then threw a flare to have an overall view of the area. By then the
light emanating from enemy’s truck captured during the day, that was set ablaze
by the shelling enabled them to watch the Indians. At the same time, shouts of
Jai Hind were also heard. Obviously, enemy tanks and infantry had come up close
to Burki Police Station.
Major Bhatti now re-organised his troops on the home bank of
the canal and directed the “jawans” to take position along the embankment. He
climbed up, and started surveying enemy activity in the area.
At night, the Regiment Adjutant, Anwar Muniruddin, came over
to meet him. He narrated to him the episodes of previous days, recounting the
enemys attacks, how they were repulsed and how they managed to pull back safely
after the ammunition had been exhausted. Then he handed over his gold ring to
him. “Make sure to deliver it at my place in case I am martyred,” he urged.
Anwar put on the ring on his own finger. Major Bhatti had
been wearing it all along since his Hong Kong days. He turned to Anwar again,
“You are a young officer,” he said, “You’ll one day write the history of your
Regiment. Bhatti may not be among you at that time, but one thing you must
definitely keep in mind – don’t forget to mention the historic role of the
artillery in this war.”
The last sun of Major Bhatti’s life had come up. Passing to
the left of Havildar Nazir’s platoon holding position near Company
Headquarters, he went up the canal bank, and started surveying the far side
through his binoculars. Havildar Major Faiz Ali was lowered down the embankment
due to enemy fire. He shouted, “Sir, there’s fire from that side – please come
down.” “I cannot look around from that position,” said Major Aziz, “It is
certainly dangerous standing here but then everything is from God! If
‘Shahadat’ is in store for me, I’ll welcome it.”
Soon some tanks were seen advancing towards the canal from
the direction of Burki. Under their cover, infantry was also on the march.
Indicating their positions, Major Bhatti ordered fire. Off went the guns but
the shells did not land where desired. He quickly passed another message. This
time the shells found the target. He was overjoyed. Two enemy tanks had been
knocked down. Captain Anwar (Artillery) was directing the fire. Major Bhatti
appreciated his precision. “Well done, Anwar,” he said loudly.
Just then, an enemy shell whizzed past Maj Bhatti, cut
across a nearby shisham tree and landed on the heap of bricks, which had been
dug out of the trenches and stocked there. That point was hardly a few feet
away. A cloud of dust arose. His men around feared that the Major had been hit!
They ran towards him but found him unscathed. “Go back to your positions
immediately,” ordered Major Bhatti, “This shell was not for me; the one for me
has yet to be manufactured in India’s ordnance factories!”
Destiny was smiling at what Major Bhatti had just uttered.
He was about to raise his binoculars and scan the enemy area when an armoured
piercing shot fired from an Indian tank hit him in the chest and passed through
his right lung. He fell face down on the bank. Havildar Major Faiz Ali and
Sepoy Aman Khan rushed to his aid but by then that highly dedicated, valorous,
selfless human being, an exceptional and unique military hero had been relieved
of his duty.