Pakistan pays tribute to ‘Lion of Kargil’ Captain Karnal Sher Khan on 27th martyrdom anniversary

The armed forces on Sunday paid tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan, the Nishan-e-Haider recipient who was martyred during the 1999 Kargil war, on the 27th anniversary of his martyrdom.

The armed forces on Sunday paid tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan, the Nishan-e-Haider recipient who was martyred during the 1999 Kargil war, on the 27th anniversary of his martyrdom. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu honored Khan’s “unmatched courage,” “unwavering devotion,” and “supreme sacrifice” in the service of the nation.

More than two decades have passed since Khan laid down his life in the icy, inhospitable peaks of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. While many lone survivors faced the dilemma of keeping the fighting on, the ‘Lion of Kargil’ dashed alone into the Indian camp, killing several Indian soldiers before embracing martyrdom. When his body was being returned to Pakistan, even the Indians talked of his valour of how the young officer on a ‘mission impossible’ did the honourable thing: fight to the very end.

The ISPR statement said Khan displayed “extraordinary gallantry” and “resolute leadership” while defending Pakistan during the Kargil conflict, adding that he led from the front before embracing martyrdom. His sacrifice continued to inspire generations of Pakistanis, with his legacy described as a “timeless beacon” of courage, patriotism, and commitment to Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to Khan, describing the Nishan-e-Haider recipient as one of the nation’s bravest soldiers. “The nation salutes its great and courageous son,” Naqvi said in a statement, adding that “the mountains of Kargil stand as witnesses” to Khan’s bravery and credited him with having “struck fear into the enemy” during the conflict. The 27 Sind Regiment was later named Sher Haidri on August 20, 1999, after Shaheed Karnal Sher Khan.

Khan was evenly praised by the rival Indian army for setting the highest standards of bravery on the battlefield. According to the Indian Express of July 17, 1999, Khan of Delta Company, 12 Northern Light Infantry, won the respect of Indian officers defending the Tiger Hills feature and the adjoining hills with his courage and brilliant attack. Officers of both 18 Grenadiers and 8 Sikhs watched the brave Pakistani captain lead a counterattack. The Indian officer-in-charge who witnessed his bravery placed a praise-filled note in his pocket. Indian Brigade Commander Brigadier (retd) Mahendra Pratap Singh acknowledged his fearlessness and courage, stating that “full-scale counterattacks have disrupted our steps.” The military said the armed forces remained coordinated and unified, and their sacrifices were not in vain.