Ali Madad

Ali Madad, T.J (Urdu: علی مدد; c. 1932 – 25 January 1979), was a Pakistani military officer and recipient of the Tamgha-i-Jurat, awarded for gallantry during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. A veteran of both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani conflicts, he served in the 8th Northern Light Infantry. He died in 1979 during a training accident while serving in Piun, Skardu.

Ali Madad was born in 1932 in Karimabad, Hunza (now a part of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan). He received his early education at the Primary School of Baltit, Hunza State, completing up to grade 2 before joining the army.

Formal education opportunities were limited in Hunza during his youth, and as such, pursuing a commissioned officer's path in the military was not possible.

Ali Madad joined the Northern Scouts in 1954, beginning his military career in the Pakistan Army. He was later posted to the Karakoram Scouts, and upon the formation of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI), he was assigned to 6th Battalion (6 NLI), before transferring to the 8th Battalion (8 NLI), where he served until his death. Over a 25-year military career, he rose to the rank of Subedar and was scheduled to be promoted to Subedar Major two days after his death.

He served in both the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 . His service during the 1971 war resulted in the award of the Tamgha-i-Jurat, Pakistans' fourth-highest military decoration, conferred for gallantry and distinguished service in combat.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Ali Madad operated in high-altitude, snow-covered sectors. At one point, he was cut off from his battalion and reported missing in action.

He continued operating independently, unaware that a UN-brokered ceasefire had already taken effect. After five days, he successfully rejoined his battalion. During his absence, the weekly military journal Hilal (GHQ) had reported that Havaldar Ali Madad had been martyred, and the Tamgha-i-Jurat was announced as a posthumous award for gallantry. In the subsequent issue, Hilal published a clarification, stating that Ali Madad was alive and had returned to his unit, and the award was subsequently conferred in person.

Subedar Ali Madad Qulikutz was killed on 25 January 1979 in Piun, Skardu, during a training session. Although not officially on duty that day, he was present while a Major (Second-in-Command) was supervising training exercises with a 75 mm anti-aircraft gun.

When a regular soldier (reportedly a Havildar) struggled with the loading procedure, the Major reportedly said,

“Tumhare bas ki baat nahi hai.” (“This is beyond your ability.”)

Ali Madad was disturbed by the officer's dismissal. He stepped in personally to demonstrate proper handling of the weapon. While assisting in the firing procedure, he was struck in the chest by the back-blast pressure of the anti-aircraft gun. He briefly regained his footing and was transported to a medical facility; he succumbed to his injuries later that evening, at approximately 9:30 p.m., approximately 5 and a half hours after the initial incident. 

On Friday, January 26, his body was flown by military helicopter from Skardu to Gilgit, where military rituals were performed with full honors. A funeral prayer was held at the Gilgit Central Jamatkhana, as weather conditions and heavy snowfall made travel to Hunza impossible that day.

At Hunza, his body was wrapped in the national flag, and a military detachment was present to present a guard of honour and perform the final rites. A large crowd of civilians and soldiers gathered for the funeral. Many speakers expressed profound admiration and grief, and hundreds of men and women offered their condolences.

After the final rites, his coffin was lowered into the grave, concluding the burial. He is buried in Karimabad, Hunza.

Ali Madad has a memorial bearing his name, along with others who died in battle, stands in Baltistan.

Ali Madad enjoyed many sports, including volleyball, basketball, polo, wrestling, and weight throwing.

Ali Madad married Bibi Rana (Aalijah). Together, the couple had four children: one daughter and three sons.

His father, Akbar Khan (1896–1974), served as the Lambardar of the Barataling clan in Baltit, the capital village of Hunza State, during the rule of Mir Jamal Khan, the last hereditary ruler of Hunza. This position had been held by the family for generations. Ali Madad was appointed Lambardar. After his death, his younger brother, Moula Madad (1938–2004), assumed the role of Lambardar.