Major Muhammad Akram, an officer of the Pakistan Army’s 4 Frontier Force Regiment, played a leading role in the 1971 Battle of Hilli, part of the broader conflict in East Pakistan.
Born on April 4, 1938, in Dinga, Kharian, Major Akram joined the Pakistan Army in 1961 and rose to the rank of Major in 1970. During the 1971 war, he was tasked with leading a company at the Hilli front, a strategic location contested between Pakistani and Indian forces.
The Battle of Hilli saw intense fighting as an Indian brigade launched multiple offensives, backed by artillery, tanks, and air support. For 14 days, Major Akram's company defended their positions, reportedly inflicting significant losses on the opposing forces despite being outnumbered.
On December 5, during a critical phase of the battle, Major Akram and his troops were surrounded. His unit continued to resist, using their limited ammunition strategically. The defense delayed the Indian advance but resulted in heavy casualties, including Major Akram’s death.
The Indian commander in the sector reportedly acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming the resistance at Hilli. The battle ended with Indian forces unable to make further gains in the area during the engagement.
Major Akram’s actions during the conflict have since been documented in military records and commemorated in Pakistan’s history as part of the events of 1971.
