Service No : IC57260
Date of Birth : Aug 23, 1974
Place of Birth : Delhi
Service: Army
Last Rank : Captain
Service Years: 1997 - 1999
Unit : 11 Raj Rif/ASC
Arm/Regt : Army Service Corps
Awards : Vir Chakra
Operation : Op Vijay
Date of Martyrdom : June 6, 1999
Captain Haneef Uddin hailed from Delhi and was born on 23 August 1974. He had lost his father when he was eight years old and had two brothers Nafees and Sameer. His mother Hema Aziz is a classical singer who worked for Sangeet Natak Academy and Kathak Kendra in Delhi. Capt Haneef was a science graduate from Shivaji college, Delhi. Besides being a trained computer expert, Capt Haneef was a talented singer and an extremely popular figure in his college. He was crowned as ‘Mr. Shivaji’ in his college, which further added to his popularity during his student days.
Capt Haneef was extremely disciplined, responsible and ambitious and always had the desire to join the army. This made him give up on other lucrative alternatives and join the Indian Military Academy after his graduation in 1996. Getting into the army was not easy for Capt Haneef as he did not have any guidance from his family or friends as none of them had gone on this path before. With sheer determination and dedication, he not only cleared the exam but gained expertise in the different aspects of the training. His mother was overwhelmed to see Haneef grow into a responsible and mature individual. He was commissioned into the Army Service Corps, the logistic arm of Indian Army on June 7, 1997. As his first assignment, he was posted to 11 Raj Rif an infantry battalion for his field experience. He was posted in the Siachen region prior to Kargil and his battalion was later deployed in Turtuk in Ladakh during the Kargil war.
Captain Haneef was a very jovial person and a very popular figure among his troops. He would use his singing prowess to lighten the mood in his camp. He would always carry his music system with him and would keep his mind relaxed with music, to stay focused for the unforeseen circumstances. He would often sing songs for his troops to keep them relaxed and motivated. This was a welcome respite for his troops who were stationed in treacherous conditions under extreme climatic conditions, away from civilization with the threat of war looming large upon them. This made captain Haneef popular among his men and a very likable person.
Op Thunderbolt : 06 June 1999
It was very early days of Kargil war when there was very less information available about the enemy troops. A company of 11 Raj Rif was deployed in Operation Thunderbolt on June 6th, 1999 at an altitude of 18,000 feet in the Turtuk region. Their mission was to capture a position in the region which would facilitate the army to monitor the movements of the enemy troops better. The capture of this position would give the troops a strategic advantage in those early stages of the war. Captain Haneef volunteered for this operation as it was his nature to lead from the front. He set off for the operation with one junior commissioned officer and three other ranks. They made significant strides on the nights of 4th and 5th June and captured nearby positions. They captured the adjacent position and set out their advance on 6th June to capture the position they desired. They were undeterred by an altitude of 18,500 feet and extreme temperatures. They were however spotted by the enemy and fired upon. A firefight followed, against an enemy equipped with heavy artillery.
Captain Haneef was looking over the safety of his men more than himself. He took up a position and showered bullets on the enemy. In the exchange of bullets, he was badly injured. But he kept engaging the enemy until his men were safe from the enemy fire. He ran out of ammunition and was shot from all directions. He succumbed to his injuries, just 200 meters from the position they set out to capture. He displayed extreme valor in the face of the enemy and was more concerned about his team’s safety more than his own. He attained martyrdom at the tender age of 25, exactly two years after he was commissioned in the army. His body could not be recovered till the end of the war from the Turtuk region due to the presence of the enemy and treacherous temperature conditions and terrain. “As a soldier Capt Haneef served his country with pride and dedication. “There cannot be a greater statement on his valor than his death which came while fighting the enemy” said his proud mother after learning about the death of her son.
“Ek pal mein hai sach saari zindagi ka; Iss pal mein jee lo yaaron, yahan kal hai kisne dekha (The truth of our lives is encapsulated in one moment; Live this moment, who knows what tomorrow holds). These lyrics were written by his younger brother Sameer and Captain Haneef would often sing this song for his troops in the camp. He completely lived by the spirit of this song.
The citation for the Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
On 06 June 1999, a company was deployed in “Operation Thunderbolt” to occupy a position, occupation of which would have facilitated better observation spectrum of enemy movement and dispositions in the area. Captain Haneef Uddin volunteered to lead the special mission patrol consisting of one junior commissioned officer and three other ranks. The party made valiant endeavours to occupy the position on the night of 4th and 5th June 1999. On 06 June 1999 the party tried approaching the position from an adjacent position occupied the previous night by Captain Haneef Uddin at height of 18,500 feet. Advancing in sub-zero temperature along the razor sharp edge from the southwesterly direction, the party came as close as 200 metres of the position when it was fired upon. Captain Haneef Uddin and two other ranks received the brunt of fire.
Inspite of the grave injury, Captain Haneef Uddin, without caring for his personal safety, took position and started firing to pin down the enemy and to extricate his team members. In the ensuing firing from both sides, Captain Haneef Uddin was further hit by enemy artillery and small arms fire. However, he kept on engaging the enemy till his men could reach a safe location. Captain Haneef Uddin however, succumbed to his injuries. Captain Haneef Uddin displayed bravery and concern for his team of the highest order and with utter disregard to his own safety made the supreme sacrifice.
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Zubaida
2017 at 12:02 pmSalute to great soldier for his bravery
Mothi George
2017 at 4:09 pmI salute his mother for having nurtured a son like him. Maa, you are the true divine element in this story. You brought forth and nurtured every bit of the soul which Haneef possessed. His valour came from your womb and soul. And then you had to bear the loss of your elder son. Nothing can replace that. But your son gave a piece of land of our nation his name.
Rooh to Haneef Ka leharthay hain in waadiyon mein
Magar farishta to aap hain
Jisne hum ko Haneef diya……
Hemant Lal
2017 at 11:36 pmI salute and bow my head captain Haneefuddin.
You made a supreme sacrifice to ensure that I , my family and fellow country men can sleep in peace and shape the future of this great nation .
I shall be always indebted to you ,coz of you i and fellow Indians can see another day.
Philo
2017 at 11:57 amMy salute to and your family for the selfless service to the nation. Your supreme sacrifice will always be remembered. Jai Hind
Rehan Khan
2017 at 12:00 pmUntil now i never know u , i never knew a soldier named Capt Haneefuddin existed, and now when i know u i can say i love u as equally i love my father and brother.You and your fellowmen are the reason that i exist ..Thanks For your service Captain ..
Thanku honourpoint for letting us know these soldiers …we the people of this nation wil always be in debt of these soldiers.
Ashimananda Chatterjee
2017 at 5:38 pmWhat surprised me more was that the family’s politely turned down any doles with a strong reason , will power and commitment to ignore it.
The newsgram.com reads “The family turned down the offer for gas agency or a petrol pump by the government as no one was free to manage it. Mrs.Hema Aziz(Hanif’s mother)
says she could not accept these because she strongly feels that if somebody does not require financial help, he/she should not accept such offers. She, however, clarifies that this is her personal view. If anybody else wants to accept such things, it is okay. “I think such benefits should be given to the family members of those soldiers who really need financial help. I know the number of such soldiers’ families is really huge,” she said.. Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/capt-haneef-uddin-a-singer-soldier-whose-contribution-in-kargil-war-is-exemplary“
Valsan Kunnath
2017 at 11:02 pmBig Salute to the Brave son of Bharath Captain Haneef Uddin, Vir Chakra
“Duty beyond Death” “Soldiers go beyond call of Duty”
Young Officer, you gave your today for our tomorrow, Salute You Sir
You will never be forgotten and always be Saluted for your Indomitable Courage and Supreme Sacrifice to the Motherland.
Some goals are so worthy, It’s glorious even to fail.
Jai Hind.. Vandematharam
Rajiv Ranjan
2018 at 11:22 amI touch the feet of that devi MAA who gave birth to such an indian SHER. HANEEF is immortal. Sorry i am late,
Shruthi Rana
2018 at 10:53 amYour sacrifice will always be remembered and you will remain a hero for countless Indians. I salute you sir. Jai Hind
SUFIYAN ALI
2021 at 8:19 amSalute to captain haneef..
I am also a son of soldier
Who went to 99 kargil war..
But thank god he came safe.
Message is for those who blame the muslim community..
Muslim also love their country and hate the enemy..
We have common enemy.
Many muslim people are their indian military and serving for their nation.
Mee to will soon join the defense.
As INDIAN NAVY OFFICER
INSHA ALLAH
Shashi Mohammed shrivastava
2018 at 4:05 pmI salute to you my dear friend. Always remember you as a next door buddy in Kohima coy.