In memory of Lt-Col Ahmad Ali Shah Roghani

Pilot who gave his life trying to save quake survivors

By Rahimullah Yusufzai

PESHAWAR: Lt Col Ahmad Ali Shah Roghani embraced martyrdom on the birthday of his youngest daughter Malaika. As someone remarked, it was the best gift the four-year old girl, known affectionately as Bubb by her parents and others, could ever get.

Her 43-year old father was one of the pilots of the military helicopter that crashed near Bagh in Azad Kashmir on October 15 while delivering relief supplies to earthquake affectees. He would have liked to be with her and the family at their home in Quetta that day to celebrate the birthday. But there was no way Lt Col Roghani would have abandoned his work at such a critical stage when every helicopter flight to the quake-stricken areas brought hope and much-needed relief supplies, and evacuated the injured.

It was on the night of October 14-15 that Lt Col Roghani spoke to his dear friend Lt Col Musa Khan of the Frontier Force Regiment. Approached by The News, the latter recalled his last conversation with the deceased. "Lt Col Roghani expressed concern over the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake in Azad Kashmir and NWFP. He told me there were no signs of life in a 20 kms stretch of mountainous terrain beyond Balakot. He helplessly said that some of the quake-devastated areas were inaccessible even to helicopters and didn't even have landing space." Lt Col Musa Khan said he tried to convince Lt Col Roghani to take rest to allow his sore throat to heal. "His reply was that he was paid for the job and had to perform his duty. Lt Col Roghani also played down his illness by arguing that it was just a sore throat and nothing more, not even cough."

In keeping with his character, Lt Col Roghani didn't take rest. He and fellow pilot, Captain Abdul Rahim, had flown for more than 5,000 hours each and enjoyed reputation as highly skilled pilots. After delivering communication equipment to a forward battalion of the Pakistan Army that was cut-off from the command in Bagh following the quake, they decided to go down to a gun position in Chapri area known as Sher Camp. It is believed bad weather intervened and caused the chopper to hit a sharp and steep rock.

All eight on board died. The bodies, mostly charred, were recovered on October 16 and flown next day to various destinations for burial. Apart from the two pilots, others who were martyred included Major Omar Mirza, Captain Alamdar, Subedar Mohammad Salim, Havaldar Jehanzeb, geologist Dr Hamidullah of University of Peshawar, and an unidentified quake survivor who was picked up from Bagh and was being flown to Rawalpindi.

Four of the martyrs were from NWFP. Dr Hamidullah, hailing from Charsadda district, Captain Rahim from the suburban Peshawar village Naway Killay that has produced several squash champions including Hashim Khan, Mohibullah, Qamar Zaman and Jansher Khan, Lt Col Roghani from Sawaldher village in Mardan, and Havaldar Jehanzeb from Matha village, also in Mardan.

The remains of the last-named two were brought in one helicopter to Sawaldher, where a huge crowd had gathered for the funeral. From there, Havaldar Jehanzeb's body was driven on its last journey to Matha near Katlang.

Earlier, their Nimaz-i-Janaza was held at Rawalpindi's Race Course Ground. The army's top brass was in attendance to pay tributes to fellow soldiers who risked their lives while trying to save those who had survived the devastating quake.

Lt Col Roghani belonged to a lower middle class family. His father, Kiramat Shah, had died young due to cancer and the orphaned Ahmad Ali Shah Roghani would have taken up a low-grade job had one of his aunts, Dr Bakht Zari, not taken care of his further education. He justified the trust she had reposed in him and embarked on a brilliant academic and professional career. He earned commission in the Pakistan Army in March 1984 and joined the 19th Sindh Regiment. Two years later, he earned selection for the Army Aviation Corps and in due course of time became a dependable pilot. His skills enabled him to join the Rotary Wing and fly helicopters. Before long, he had become part of the 6th Aviation squadron that came under the Cabinet division and flew important personalities including the president and prime minister. He was one of the three pilots selected in 1994-95 for training in the US to fly the Baile UHIH VVIP helicopters. Later, Lt Col Roghani learnt to fly the Russian MI-17 helicopters. He also served as an instructor in the Army Aviation School and took part in relief operations during floods. For his last assignment in the mountains of Azad Kashmir and Hazara, he was summoned from Quetta where he was working for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

Lt Col Roghani was the third pilot in his family. One of his maternal uncles, Masoom Shah, is serving in PIA and another, Makhdoom Shah, after retirement from Army Aviation is working for the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.

Incidentally, both Lt Col Roghani and Dr Hamidullah were interviewed on the PTV a few days before their martyrdom. The former talked about his work as pilot and the latter spoke discussed the occurrence of earthquakes and his relief activities for the quake survivors.

Interviewed on Geo TV, Lt Col Roghani's 14-year old son Shahryar said he would join the army and emulate his father. His daughter, Maimoona, who is a class six student, expressed her wish to become a cardiologist to serve the ailing humanity. And his wife, Naveeda Shah, despite her untold grief managed to felicitate her husband on attaining martyrdom.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-.../main/main7.htm

nyc one

May all these Martyrs rest in peace and may Allah provide them Jannah. Ameen

ina lilah hi wa ina ailaih hi rajioon
may his soul rest in peace