Sawar Muhammad Hussain (18th June, 1949–10th December, 1971) was a driver in the Armored Corps of Pakistan Army who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Sawar was born in Dhok Pir Bakash (now Dhok Muhammad Hussain Janjua) in Gujar Khan. He joined Pakistan Army on 3rd September, 1966 at a young age of 17 years.
He was given training of driving military vehicles and was posted in a unit of Armored Crops. Despite of just being a driver, Sawar always used to participate keenly in military exercises where he learned different art of warfare.
Sawar Muhammad was posted in 20 Lancers when 1971 war broke out between India and Pakistan. His unit was deployed in the frontline are of Zafarwal-Shakargarh. Using his experience of military exercises, Sawar engaged enemy by taking over a machine gun whenever such an opportunity was available.
During the war he delivered ammunition to forward trenches despite of heaving shelling by Indian forces. He always volunteered for patrols and dangerous missions which earned him high name in the 20 Lancers.
On 10th December, 1971 he spotted enemy tanks near a village called Harar Khurd. He informed the second-in-command of his units about the advancing tanks. He on his own initiative started directing fire to anti-tank gun crew on enemy tanks.
He kept on directing fire and was hit by a burst of machine gun fire from an advancing enemy tank. Later he embraced martyrdom at around 4:00 PM that day.
Sawar Muhammad Hussain was buried in his ancestral town. He is the first soldier (foot soldier) of Pakistan Army to receive country’s highest gallantry award of Nishan-e-Haider. He was a brave and a true patriot in every sense of the word. He served in the army for 6 years.
