Pakistan has lost to India in the India-Pakistan War 1947-48,
New Delhi: Pakistan has fought several wars with India and has lost all of them. Not only against India, but whenever Pakistan encounters other countries, the Pakistani army has to face humiliation. However, whenever you see a Pakistani army officer, they are usually adorned with several medals on their uniform. In this context, a common question arises, if the Pakistani army always faces defeat, then what are the soldiers carrying so many medals for? Let’s explore the story behind these medals of the Pakistan Army.
Pakistan has lost to India in the India-Pakistan War (1947-48), the India-Pakistan War (1965), the India-Pakistan War (1971), and the Kargil War (1999). In fact, Pakistan faces not only military defeat but also diplomatic losses. Then why does Pakistan award medals? It should be noted that every country’s army awards its soldiers medals based on their service, bravery, etc.
Medals are given for participation in battles, bravery, or contribution in special operations. For this reason, many soldiers in Pakistan have been awarded medals even after defeats. Additionally, medals are awarded not only for wars but also for internal operations, such as Pakistan’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Medals and decorations are a tradition in every country’s army.
Just as India has not fought any war for many years, yet medals related to peace time are being awarded to soldiers by the army, a similar situation exists in Pakistan. The Pakistani army has awarded its soldiers for the battles of 1948, 1965, and 1971, as well as for the 1970 operations in Balochistan, the Siachen dispute, Shiite insurgency, and internal affairs.
Pakistan’s highest military bravery award is the Nishan-e-Haider. This medal is awarded only to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It recognizes the highest acts of extraordinary bravery. Following this are the Hilal-e-Jurat, Sitara-e-Jurat, Tamgha-e-Jurat, and Imtiazi Sanad. Non-operational awards include Sitara-e-Bisat, Tamgha-e-Bisat, Tamgha-e-Khidmat Class-1, Tamgha-e-Khidmat Class-2, and Tamgha-e-Khidmat Class-3. Civil-military awards include Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, and Tamgha-e-Khidmat.
