Daily Times

Pakistan Navy Chief Petty Officer Shaheed Mahboob Ali has still not been granted the Gallantry Award, 70 years past his martyrdom.

He was martyred in Batala, India in a naval action known as Action at Batala on October 3, 1947. He demonstrated the highest degrees of bravery, valour and call to duty when a barrage of gun fire was opened on their convoys.

Shaheed Mahboob Ali’s bravery was duly acknowledged by PN by placing his plaque at Pakistan Maritime Museum Karachi, declaring him a national hero.

The PN admitted that his body was not picked up due to barrage of gun fire. In a statement issued by Mahboob Ali’s brother Alhaj Bashir Ali, Mahboob saved the lives of his 30 comrades and his Commanding Officer and also thousands of Muslim refugees on that day at the cost of his own life.

Eighteen living heirs of Mahboob sent 500 appeals to the country’s top military and civil leadership for granting him Gallantry Award, but failed to get a positive response.

They hoped that the unprecedented sacrifice of his brother will be recognised soon by granting him a Gallantry Award.

Published in Daily Times, September 9^th 2018.