War veteran passes away

Rawalpindi
Major General (r) Mumtaz Ali (SJ & Bar), a war veteran, passed away on Tuesday (April 14, 2015) at the age of 88 after a brief illness, says a press release.
Born in a military family in a small village, Jajja, located on Mandra-Chakwal Road, Rawalpindi district, he got commission in the British Indian Army in 1945. He fought many battles and wars for defence of the motherland. Till 1971, he was the only officer of the Pakistan Army to have earned ‘Sitara-i-Jurrat’ twice. During the 1965 War, he was commanding the 18th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment and captured Indian towns of Munabao, Shakarboo and Dali in Rajasthan Sector. During the battle of Dali, two complete enemy battalions were wiped out at the loss of only one soldier and 4 wounded. As many as three tanks (Shemin 75 mm) and a large quantity of weapons & ammunition were also captured, while 180 Indian Army personnel, including seven officers, were made prisoners of war. The 18th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment was given the title of ‘Desert Hawks’ after this incredible victory.
Major General (r) Mumtaz Ali was a thorough professional and a man of strong character who lived his whole life with dignity and honour. May his soul rest in peace. ‘Ameen’