Nation honours Kargil hero Karnal Sher Khan on 27th martyrdom anniversary

• President, PM and military leadership pay glowing tributes to Nishan-e-Haider recipient's supreme sacrifice

• Armed forces reaffirm resolve to uphold ideals of courage, patriotism and national sovereignty

• PM says martyrs' sacred sacrifices remain the foundation of Pakistan's freedom, peace and security

 ISLAMABAD: The nation on Sunday solemnly observed the 27th martyrdom anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider), with the country's top civilian and military leadership joining the armed forces and people in paying glowing tributes to the Kargil war hero, whose unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice continue to be remembered as a shining chapter in Pakistan's national and military history.

صوابی میں کیپٹن کرنل شیر خان شہید کے مزار پر پر وقار تقریب کا انعقاد pic.twitter.com/1lgZhqELeF

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 5, 2026

Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed was born in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 1970 and embraced martyrdom on this day in 1999 during the Kargil conflict. He was posthumously awarded the country's highest military honour, the Nishan-e-Haider, for his extraordinary gallantry.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed for his unprecedented bravery, valour and sacrifice in the face of the enemy.

صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری کا کیپٹن کرنل شیر خان شہید، نشانِ حیدر کی 27ویں برسیِ شہادت پر خراجِ عقیدت۔

کیپٹن کرنل شیر خان شہید کی لازوال قربانی ہمیشہ زندہ رہے گی: صدر

پاکستان کے شہداء ہمارا قومی سرمایہ ہیں، ان کی قربانیوں کو ہمیشہ قدر و احترام کے ساتھ یاد رکھا جائے گا: صدر…

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 4, 2026

In a statement, the president said the sacrifice of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed was a glorious chapter in the nation's history that would always be remembered.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to the hero of the 1999 Kargil War on his 27th martyrdom anniversary, praising his immense sacrifice and unmatched courage.

He said: "The extraordinary bravery and eternal sacrifice of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed in the most adverse circumstances is a shining chapter in the military history of Pakistan, which is a testimony to the highest traditions of loyalty to the motherland and bravery."

The prime minister added: "Defence of the beloved homeland is a sacred duty, and the great sacrifices made by the sons of the pure land are the guarantor of our peace and sovereignty today." He reaffirmed the government's and the nation's unwavering resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces against every external and internal threat facing the country.

"This great sacrifice of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed reminds us that our freedom and sovereignty are due to the sacred blood of our martyrs," he added.

Armed forces, services chiefs pay tribute

The Armed Forces of Pakistan also paid glowing tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) on the 27th anniversary of his martyrdom, honouring his extraordinary courage, exemplary leadership and supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, along with the Armed Forces of Pakistan, collectively commemorated the enduring legacy of the national hero.

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 05 July, 2026;

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) & Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Pakistan; Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), T Bt, Chief of the Naval Staff; Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of… pic.twitter.com/NDtSw8JNKT

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 4, 2026

The military leadership described Captain Karnal Sher Khan as a symbol of unwavering patriotism whose unmatched bravery, steadfast devotion to duty and selfless service continue to inspire generations of Pakistanis.

The ISPR said that during the 1999 Kargil conflict, Captain Karnal Sher Khan displayed exceptional gallantry and resolute leadership while defending the country's frontiers against overwhelming odds. Leading his troops from the front, he embraced martyrdom in keeping with the highest traditions of the Pakistan Army, earning the Nishan-e-Haider for his extraordinary valour.

Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider (NH) on his 27th Martyrdom Anniversary

Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed NH is remembered as the “Lion of Kargil.”

65 Bullets were remove from Captain Kernal Sher Khan’s body!#PakistanArmy #Pakistan #India #ISPR

The 27th…

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 5, 2026

The military's media wing said his sacrifice remains a timeless example of courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment to Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The military leadership reaffirmed that the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan remained steadfast in upholding the ideals for which Captain Karnal Sher Khan laid down his life, pledging that his legacy of honour, sacrifice and patriotism would continue to guide future generations.

Captain Karnal Sher Khan continues to be remembered as one of Pakistan's most celebrated war heroes, whose courage under fire and selfless devotion to duty have secured him a permanent place in the nation's military history.

Religious scholars pay homage

Meanwhile, religious scholars also paid rich tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) on his 27th martyrdom anniversary.

In their statements, the scholars said Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed set an enduring example of courage, bravery, selflessness and patriotism that would continue to inspire future generations.

They said the martyrs who laid down their lives in defence of the homeland were a source of pride for the entire nation and stressed that their sacrifices constituted a collective national trust and responsibility that could never be forgotten.

The scholars added that the everlasting sacrifices of Pakistan's martyrs remain a powerful symbol of the country's security, sovereignty and national honour.