Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfuz (25th October, 1944–8th December, 1971) was an infantry soldier of Pakistan Army who embraced martyrdom at the Western Front during the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. Mehfuz was born in Pind Malikan near Rawalpindi. He joined Pakistan Army on 25th October, 1962.
During then 1971 Indo-Pak war, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfuz was serving in ‘A’ Company of 15 Punjab Regiment. His unit was deployed at Wagah-Attari sector during the war.
Though cease-fire was announced on 16th December, 1971 but India was taking advantage of cease-fire by creeping into Pakistan’s territory. On the night of December 17-18, ‘A’ company was ordered to occupy Phul Kanjri village.
Mehfuz who was posted in Platoon no. 3 was assigned in the leading assault party with his platoon comrades. The assault party was made to face heavy fire from the enemy pill boxes. These concrete pill boxes were inflicting heavy casualties to whole company which was only 70 yards away from the enemy position.
During the assault, Indian forces had stated artillery fire causing setbacks to company’s plan. While advancing, Mehfuz lost his machine-gun due enemy shell; seeing this he charged towards the enemy bunker which was inflicting heavy casualties.
By the time he had reached enemy bunker, his both legs were wounded by shell sprinters but he still managed to encounter his enemy. Though unarmed, he bayoneted enemy soldiers and neutralized fire from enemy bunker, thus making way for his company’s advance. He was given medical treatment but he died on the night of 17th December, 1971.
He was buried in his hometown Pindi Malikan with full military honors. He was posthumously awarded Nishan-e-Haider for the supreme sacrificed by him. A garrison of Pakistan Army has been named after him in Lahore which is known as Mehfuz Shaheed Garrison.
