Tribute to Commando Legend, Brig. Tariq Mehmood (TM) Shaheed

Tribute to Brigadier Tariq Mehmood Shaheed
TM Shaheed was born in the city of Saints Multan on October 8th 1938 before the separation of India and Pakistan. He was really respected in the town because of his father, as his father was a professor in the government college. After completing his schooling TM Shaheed went to Gordon College, Rawalpindi for completing his high school education. TM Shaheed saw all the bloodshed during the separation of Pakistan and India he saw many innocent people being killed for independence, seeing all this as a kid he became very patriotic for Pakistan. TM shaheed graduated from Gordon College in 1956, after completing his high school he went to Government College Lahore to do his graduate studies. He was a very good cricketer and used to play for the team of GC Lahore. After his graduation from GC he got admission in University of Peshawar to study law but on the other hand he got his call letter from Pakistan Army as well. Being patriotic he left the opportunity to study law and joined Pakistan Military Academy to become a soldier to die for Pakistan on a battle field. Tariq Mehmood graduated from Pakistan Military Academy in 1963 and joined Infantry. He was sent to join 2nd Balouch Battalion in 1963, he also got selected for the Airborne corps of Pakistan Army and went to join 51st Paratrooper division because of his physical fitness and bravery he was called by the Special Services Group of Pakistan Army. At that time the SSG was newly inducted in the Pakistan Army, after his selection he went for the physical training of SSG in Cherat and after completing his training he was posted in the shaheed company 1st Commando Battalion. Later on when TM was a Major he went to Command and Staff College Quetta to do staff college, he completed his staff college in 1969.
Brigadier TM Shaheed fought for his country on many occasions during the 1965 India-Pakistan war he was selected to go to US to do special training with the green berets of US Army but he opted not to go and to fight to defend his mother land. He was a captain at that time and was posted to Kashmir and he led many operations in Kashmir. After the war was over Brigadier TM Shaheed was promoted to the rank of the major and was selected as an instructor in the airborne corps of Pakistan Army. Later as a Major and officer commanding of 1st commando battalion he was sent to East Pakistan to fight against the militant groups. In 1971 he led many operations including the famous operation held at the Dhaka International Airport. Later on he also led an operation at Brahmaputra river. Major Tariq Mehmood was the last military man of Pakistan Army to leave East Pakistan. In 1973 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was appointed to command the 3rd Commando Powinda Battalion. He led his battalion in an operation against the Pashton Tribes who had blocked the KKH connecting Pakistan and China. In 1982 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier and later in 1984 he was sent to Siachen and under his command he gave Pakistan a mild victory over the Indian troops and captured some of the areas. It was investigated by ISI that the agents of RAW were keeping a close eye on Brigadier TM hence Pakistan Army decided to give more security to him. Brigadier TM Shaheed also led many international operations like Operation Cyclone, Battle for Hill 3234 and the famous operation against the terrorists who hijacked the Pan Am Flight 73.
The story of great TM Shaheed ended in a very tragic accident when during a free fall maneuver in Gujranwala his parachute malfunctioned. Neither his main nor his reserve parachute opened during his free fall and the brave son of soil got shahadat. He will never be forgotten because he is the inspiration of every young men joining the Pakistani Army.

Military Awards:
• Sitar-e-Jurat 1965
• Sitar-e-Jurat 1971
• Sitar-e-Bisalat 1973
• Sitar-i-Imtiaz (Military)