On 18th September, 1965 Pakistan Air Force attacked on Indian Airbase and destroyed more than 20 planes. Indians were furious and they wanted to take revenge. Plane of Chief Minister of Gujarat (India) Mr. Balwant Rai with his family was shot down by PAF. All these circumstances were making them furious so their rage came out on 18th September 2015.
14 terrorists wearing khaki uniform entered in Badabar base, 10 km away from main Peshawar city, on 18th September, 2015. That was a residential base of PAF personals. The terrorists divided themselves into 2 groups and one group entered from back and attacked on people who were offering Fajar prayer in Mosque. The time was 5:35am. 16 innocent Muslims were Shaheed by firing and grenade was thrown at them so none of them survived. Orders were issued from GHQ Rawalpindi and Quick Response Force arrived at base within 10 minutes. Before that 3 technicians of PAF were Shaheed while defending themselves. Capt. Isfandyar Bokhari that time was in charge of G-3. His only function was to design tactics and order his soldiers how to deal with enemies. His unit was in Gujranwala and he was there in Peshawar working in administration branch. When he received orders from GHQ about terrorist attack on base, he has to plan strategy only but that lion voluntarily reached the base to fight with the terrorists. That time Maj. Haseeb was leading the squad. Within few minutes of operation, Maj. Haseeb received bullet in his leg and wasn’t able to carry on the mission. Then Capt. Isfandyar took over the command and led the squad. Then a Colonel from GHQ called Isfandyar and time was 6am. Isfandyar said, “I m going in operation”. Colonel inquired, “Have you put on your armour?? Your helmet ??? he replied in positive and went out”
Back to Waziristan Operation, Isfandyar and his 17 fellows were surrounded by 200 Talibans and they all survived due to Strategic planning of him and also killed many of them.
At the base he engaged the terrorists and didn’t allow them to enter into the residential area. The terrorists were having 27 IEV’s and grenades but the return firing of Isfandyar along with his soldiers couldn’t make them to use any single IEV. If the terrorists had entered the residential area, they could have captured people as hostages So when Isfandyar was heading forward valiantly one of his soldiers held his hand and said, ‘Sab aggy mat jaen is tarha , aaram se muqabla kren” but Isfandyar jumped forward and killed 3 terrorists alone in very next moment. Then he called his Colonel who was in GHQ that sir area has cleared now but colonel replied no dear there are more. Then Isfandyar commanded his squad and said, “Three Ducks to Go” and moved forward alone. No soldier was accompanying him that time he was searching rooms and in doing this he killed three more terrorists. Still this enthusiastic Captain moved forward and searching room to room. Whole scene was clear and SSG’s were also there. SSG team arrived half hour after the operation has started.
This young unmarried man, moved forward and smashed opened the door , but he didn’t know that his Shahadat was waiting for him. As he opened the door with his leg, terrorist was crawling in the room and opened fire. Isfandyar received four bullets 3 in left side of chest and one in left leg. 2 bullets directly pierced his heart and that brave man before fainting killed that terrorist also. In the mean time, the darkness prevailed and the courageous man embraced shahadat. He didn’t know that this was last terrorist. So, he embraced Shahadat by killing last enemy.
Capt. Isfandyar did what others can only think. His responsibility was only plan making but he entered the arena and held the command in fighting with those terrorists. By his sacrifice, he saved all the residents of Base and also saved his army officers. He proved to be real hero and his love for country was proved by this Shahdat….
A tribute to My Dear Cousin “ Syed Isfandyar Bokhari”. Well done Cousin!
You saved many lives by sacrificing yours. The boy who never gave up. The boy who was masterpiece is now Shaheed.
I saw his Smiling face in coffin and eyes were a bit opened telling us that he is satisfied with all this and don’t cry he is still alive…..…
“If you are going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start”