Hilal-i-Jur'at - Recipients

Recipients

Further information: Indo-Pakistani Wars, Bangladesh, and Pakistan Air Force

Several high profile generals of the Pakistan army have received the Hilal-i-Jur'at medal, who've gone on to make successful careers in the army and in Pakistani politics including Akhtar Abdur Rahman, who was known as the second most powerful man in Pakistan during the 1980s, known for being the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) during Zia-ul-Huq's Presidency. The ISI is the equivalence of the British intelligence service, MI5 and for Americans, the CIA.

General Ayub Khan, the first military ruler of Pakistan who became a controversial figure towards the end of his presidency, serving as the second President of Pakistan between 1958 to 1969, also received the award. Notably A.O. Mitha, a legendary Major General who played a significant part in the 1971 Liberation War in which he was stationed in East Pakistan (modern day Bangladesh), which ultimately lead to the Secession of Bangladesh, was also bestowed the medal.

Other notable heroic personnel of the Pakistan Army who died during service and were given the medal in the line of fire include Ghulam Hussain Shaheed for his duty in standing his ground during an ambush by the Indian army near Pakistan's modern day border, near Kasur (of which it was later renamed after him). He was said to have held the national flag of Pakistan until his last breath when he was fatally wounded twice during battle with Indian armed soldiers.

Major Ziaur Rahman was also bestowed a Hilal e Jurat for his contributions in the 1965 war; he later defected from Pakistan Army in 1971, and subsequently became the seventh President of Bangladesh.