Shafqat Baloch

Colonel Shafqat Baloch SJ,  best known as Major Shafqat Baloch, was a Pakistani military officer who is known as the "Saviour of Lahore", for his gallantry and actions of valor during the Second Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat two times, First in 1965 and Second in 1971.

Early life
Colonel Shafqat Baloch was born in Sargodha, Punjab,into a Baloch family. His native village was Machhar Khadi which is located in outskirts of Sargodha.

Military career
On 6 September 1965, at 1 A.M , Major Shafqat Baloch was moving towards the assigned position along with 90 of his troops, belonging to the 17th Punjab regiment. The troops were moving carefully amidst reports of Indian incursions. All of a sudden there was a loud burst of a machine gun coming from a military post of the Pakistan Rangers. The Major issued orders to move towards the post and on the way, he met a Rangers troop who broke the news of Indian assault, the overrunning of Gwanti post and the death of many from his unit including the Major. The Ranger was going to inform the higher command but their telephone was damaged.

Major ordered the troops to entrench themselves near the Ichhogil Canal in the outskirts of Hudaira village.

Major directed the artillery precisely at the indian troops inflicting heavy casualties as they had no idea about Pakistani presence. Then the Pakistani Anti tank crews destroyed two indian tanks followed by a rigorous infantry assault. The Indians had no choice but to retreat.

Major's actions stalled the front for 17 days till the ceasefire agreement was reached. For his acts of bravery, he was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat.

Indian Account
Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh in his account of the battle states that he was the GOC of 7th Infantry Division with the task of capturing the BRB Canal, stated that Major Baloch was right about the casualties. After ceasefire and availability of new information, it became evident that Indians had suffered about 400 casualties. Later, Major Baloch was ordered by his seniors to settle the ceasefire line. He crossed the BRB Canal and reached the Indian positions. Major Puri, Commander of the infantry and Major Hira Singh, commander of the armour congratulated him for putting up a tough resistance. The ceasefire conditions were accepted without arguments.

Later life
Shafqat Baloch was promoted to Lt Colonel and served in 1971 war in East Pakistan briefly but was removed from service there. He was promoted to Colonel and received his second Sitara e Jurat.

He died of heart attack on 13 August 2010 at CMH Rawalpindi. He was buried in Machhar Khadi, in Sargodha.

In Popular culture
He was also depicted as a Major War Hero in the movie "Saya e Khuda e Zuljalal" casting Asad Malik as Major Shafqat