MIRPUR (AJK)
Eminent warrior and worker of Kashmir freedom movement Subedar (r) Gulzar Khan Kiyani (Tamgha-e-Jurrat) has died after prolonged illness in his native district of Kotli Azad Jammu & Kashmir at 85 years of age.
“He was bed ridden for about five years,” his son Shakeel Anjum Kiyana told this correspondent from Kotli over telephone. He was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Panaag Shareef village in Kotli districtthe same day. A large number of people representing all spheres of life from various parts of AJK offered the funeral prayer.
The he won five top military medals and awards including ‘Tamgha-e-Jurrat’, ‘Commemoration Award’, ‘Tamgha-e-Daffa’, ‘Tamgha-e-Jang’ and ‘Tamgha-e-Harab’ in acknowledgement of his out-standing performance as a highly talented and brave soldier. He actively participated in Kashmir freedom movement in 1947 besides bravely fighting the wars in India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971 to safeguard the geographical frontiers of the motherland - Pakistan, leaving the signs and precedents of his bravery, boldness and courage.
He was the father of renowned legal expert Raja Shafeeq Kiyani Advocate and journalist Shakeel Anjam Kiyani. AJK President and Prime Minister have expressed condolence over the demise of a veteran hero and the warrior of the Kashmir freedom struggle. In a message of condolence they prayed for the rest of the departed soul in eternal peace and grant of fortitude to the bereaved family and the people of J & K state to bear the irreparable loss with courage.