Rashid Minhas joined the Pakistan Air Force in 13th March 1971 as a commissioned G.D pilot. Ever since the beginning, Rashid Minhas was influenced by the technology of aviation. Ever since he was a child, Rashid Minhas cherished collecting models of warplanes and fighter jets.
Rashid Minhas was the youngest officer who had received the Nishan-e-Haider and also the first recipient of the highest honour of gallantry for the PAF.
Minhas had sought his early education from St. Mary’s Cambridge School at Rawalpindi and then he sought his senior Cambridge education in the city of Karachi. He passed his Bachelor of Science degree in the Aeronautics Examination from the Pakistan Pakistan Air Force with honours. Rashid Minhas had joined the PAF academy in 1968. According to Rashid Minhas’ father, his late son’s interests included reading, playing hockey, billiards and photography.
Rashid Minhas laid down his life for the nation on his very first solo flight. All of a sudden, on his very first solo flight, his instructor Matiur Rehman jumped onto his aircraft and demanded that the plane be taken to India. Rashid Minhas foiled the enemy’s plot and crashed the airplane at a distance of 32 miles from the Indian border. In this way, Rashid Minhas defied the enemy and embraced martyrdom like a valiant officer.
His funeral was attended by all senior officials of the air force as well as his family members. He was laid to rest on August 21, 1971 with full military honours.
Shaheed Rashid Minhas’ sacrifice was recognized by the Pakistani nation and it was due to his selfless devotion that he was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider award.
Rashid Minhas’ sacrifice will forever be remembered by the Pakistani nation. The Kamra airbase in Attock has been attributed with Rashid Minhas’ name. One of Pakistan’s greatest martyrs was buried at the army graveyard in Karachi.
He was born on February 17, 1951. Even till this day, Rashid Minhas receives glowing tributes and glittering laurels for his act of bravery that saved Pakistan’s honour and upheld its dignity.
