Military Digest | Enduring ‘myth’ about a Pak commander’s death in 1965 war

A memorial marks the gallant actions of the 4 Grenadiers in the Battle of Asal Uttar during the 1965 war. Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid received the prestigious Param Vir Chakra for laying down his life. The battalion's actions are also mentioned, including the killing of Pakistani artillery commander Brig A R Shami.

However, Major General Naseer Ahmad Khan, the GOC of Pakistan's 1 Armoured Division, is also reported to have been killed, despite scant evidence. Various accounts from Indian and Pakistani army officers reveal a misconception about the events of September 10, 1965. Brigadier Z A Khan, a cavalry officer, writes that Brig Shami and Brig Bashir Ahmed were tasked to advance and reconnoitre due to dissatisfaction with the 1 Armoured Division's progress.

They were ambushed, and Brigadier Shami was killed. The GOC of the 1 Armoured Division was moving through Khem Karan when he ordered the 1 FF to clear the town, which was eventually done. Radio messages intercepted by Indian troops the next day fueled the misconception of the GOC's death. It is believed that Brig Shami and Brig Bashir were killed together, leading to the assumption that the GOC was also among the casualties.

However, eyewitness accounts, such as Maj Samiuddin, suggest otherwise. The Pakistani commanders expected the road to Delhi to be clear and were advancing in jeeps protected by armor to reach Harike. An Indian artillery observation post picked up a wireless message from the enemy stating that the Pakistani divisional commander was coming to find out what was delaying the advance.