29/05/2022
In 19965, Brigadier TM was opted for a specialized course with Delta Force in USA, but at that time Operation Gibraltar was announced, he refused to join the course but desired to join the operation.
Remembering man of steel, the most decorated Soldier of SSG Brigadier Tariq Mehmod Shaheed (SJ, SBt ,Hilal-e-Shuja'at,Sitara-e-Imtiaz Military) on his 32 martyrdom anniversary today.
His journey of valor started when he was commissioned in PMA after his graduation from Gordon's College Rawalpindi. He was considered as the best cricketer of the college. Pakistani Star Cricketer Fazal Mehmood (also known as The Hero of the Oval) predicted him to be the best future cricketer of Pakistan. But fate decided something else for him. PMA was waiting for him. There he proved his mettle in every walk of soldiery.
It was 1965 , he was preparing for a specialized course with Delta Force in USA. The Operation Gibraltar was announced, refusing to join the course, he joined the operation. He was lost in Kashmir during the operation and was announced as "Missing believed Killed", but one day he approached a nearby post of Kashmir sector and soon identified by the authorities.
He was soon recognized as the symbolic and mythical character of the SSG.
In an early age, he was appointed as in-charge of Para Training School.
Major Shabbir Shareef (Nishan e Haider )also got the PTW under his strict command. In the chaotic era of 1971, he was a potential threat to the Mukti Bahni and Indian Army, after the surrender, every Indian Army official was in search of this legend, but he was already in West Pakistan and no one was able to capture him.
When a plane of Air India was hijacked and brought to Pakistan, it was him and his two comrades who managed to arrest the hijackers and free the hostages without firing even a single bullet.
On an unfortunate morning of May 29, 1989, he jumped for a free fall. He opened his main parachute but the para chords were tangled.
He opened his reserve parachute but it also failed to open. When a paratrooper lands, he adopts a certain posture i.e. bit leaned left, facing the ground.
As his chutes failed to open, his martyrdom was certain, but that stone nerved person was still adopting the same posture. His velocity increased his weight up to tons, he fell and embraced martyrdom at the spot.
It was his performance which led him to the higher brass. He used to wear a black overall like all the paratroopers do, but he decorated his outfit by writing یااللہ (Oh Allah) on it.
The name of this legend is Brigadier Tariq Mehmood also known as TM Tiger. He was such a legendary and mythical character that still GOCs of SSG follow the example that he set.
Brigadier TM Shaheed was the best one ever produced by SSG, after this death, SSG still continues the paratrooper landing on all glorious events. He played a fatherlike role in Sepcial Services Group and ISI and has left a deep legacy, even after his death. He is arguably regarded as one of the best commando and spy of the 20th century. Character of Salman Khan as a RAW spy agent 'Tiger' in Bollywood movie " Ek Tha Tiger" was inspired from Tiger TM Shaheed.
Rest easy among the starts, sir. You have been inspiration for many and had left a deep legacy for us. You idea for Pakistan shall remain forever, we will keep telling your stories for the next generations to come. Pakistan Zindabad 🇵🇰