Ali Madad
Ali Madad, TJ was a Pakistani military officer and recipient of the Tamgha-i-Jurat, Pakistan’s fourth-highest military award for gallantry. He served in the Northern Light Infantry and fought in both the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Early life and education
Ali Madad was born in 1932 in Karimabad, Hunza, then part of Hunza State. He received his early education locally and later joined the Pakistan Army due to limited formal education opportunities in his region.Military career
Ali Madad joined the Northern Scouts in 1954 and later served in the Karakoram Scouts. Upon the formation of the Northern Light Infantry regiment of Pakistan Army, he was assigned to the 6th Battalion before transferring to the 8th Battalion. Over a 25-year career, he attained the rank of Subedar and was scheduled for promotion to Subedar Major shortly after his death.He served in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars. During the 1971 war, he was involved in operations in high-altitude sectors and was recognized for acts of gallantry that led to the award of the Tamgha-i-Jurat.
1971 War
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Ali Madad operated in high-altitude, snow-covered sectors. At one point, he was cut off from his Battalion and reported missing in action.He continued operating independently, unaware that a UN-brokered ceasefire had already taken effect. After five days, he successfully rejoined his Battalion. During his absence, the weekly military journal Hilal had reported that Havaldar Ali Madad had been martyred, and the Tamgha-i-Jurat was announced as a posthumous award for gallantry. In the subsequent issue, Hilal published a clarification, stating that Ali Madad was alive and had returned to his unit, and the award was subsequently conferred in person.
Death
Ali Madad Qulikutz was killed on 25 January 1979 in Piun, Skardu, during a training session. Although not officially on duty that day, he was present while a Major was supervising training exercises with a 75-mm anti-aircraft gun.When a regular soldier struggled with the loading procedure, the Major reportedly said,
“Tumhare bas ki baat nahi hai.”Ali Madad was disturbed by the officer's dismissal. He stepped in personally to demonstrate proper handling of the weapon. While assisting in the firing procedure, he was struck in the chest by the back-blast pressure of the anti-aircraft gun. He briefly regained his footing and was transported to a medical facility; he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 9:30 p.m., 5 and a half hours after the initial incident.
Friday, 26 January, his body was flown by military helicopter from Skardu to Gilgit, where military rituals were performed with full honors. A funeral prayer was held at the Gilgit Central Jamatkhana, as weather conditions and heavy snowfall made travel to Hunza impossible that day.
In Hunza, his body was wrapped in the national flag, and a military detachment was present to render a guard of honour and perform the final rites. A large crowd of civilians and soldiers gathered for the funeral. Many speakers expressed profound admiration and grief, and hundreds of men and women offered their condolences. He is buried in Karimabad, Hunza.
Awards and decorations
Wartime gallantry medals
Campaign / war medals
Commemorative medals
Legacy
Ali Madad has a memorial bearing his name, along with others who died in battle, stands in Baltistan.Personal life
Ali Madad enjoyed many sports, including volleyball, basketball, polo, wrestling, and weight throwing.Ali Madad married Bibi Rana. Together, the couple had four children: one daughter and three sons.
His father, Akbar Khan, served as the Lambardar of the Barataling clan in Baltit, the capital village of Hunza State, during the rule of Mir Jamal Khan, the last hereditary ruler of Hunza. This position had been held by the family for generations. Ali Madad was appointed Lambardar. After his death, his younger brother, Moula Madad, assumed the role of Lambardar.