Ali Haidar

Ali Haidar (21 August 1913 - 15 July 1999) was an ethnic Pashtun Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 31 years old, and a Sepoy in the 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 April 1945 near Fusignano, Italy, during the crossing of the Senio River, only Sepoy Ali Haidar and the two other men of his section managed to get across under heavy machine-gun fire. Then, while the other two covered him, the sepoy attacked the nearest strong point and, in spite of being wounded, put it out of action. In attacking a second strong-point he was again severely wounded but managed to crawl closer, throw a grenade and charge the post; two of the enemy were wounded, the remaining two surrendered. The rest of the company were than able to cross the river and establish a bridgehead.

Further information

He was born in Kohat to Pashtun parents, N.W. Frontier, India which is now Pakistan. He later achieved the rank of Havildar.

References

*John Cawkill

ee also

*List of Indian Victoria Cross recipients

External links

* [http://haynese.winthrop.edu/india/medals/VC/2AHaider.html Ali Haider]
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ggpakist.htm Burial location of Ali Haider] "Pakistan"