Pakistan’s military leadership marked the 26th martyrdom anniversary of Captain Karnal Sher Khan on 5 July, laying wreaths and offering tributes at the national hero’s shrine. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with the heads of Pakistan’s air force and navy, led the commemorations, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations statement. Major General Anjum Riaz represented the army at the soldier’s gravesite in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sher Khan, posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider—the country’s highest gallantry decoration—was 29 when he fell in the 1999 Kargil conflict. Commanding troops of the 12th Northern Light Infantry at 17,000 feet in the Gultari sector, he established and defended five posts under intense fire, personally leading a counter-attack that reclaimed lost ground before being fatally wounded. His actions drew a written commendation from an Indian Army officer and remain a touchstone of battlefield courage for Pakistan’s armed forces. In statements released for the anniversary, ISPR praised Sher Khan’s “unwavering courage and patriotism” and said his sacrifice continues to inspire service members and civilians alike. The military reiterated its commitment to defend the country’s sovereignty, framing the officer’s legacy as a guiding example for future generations.