Lieutenant Colonel Haroon laid to rest

Funeral prayer of Lieutenant Colonel Haroon-ul-Islam was held at Chitral Ground near Ayub Stadium Lahore Cantt here on Wednesday. The Special Services Group (SSG) officer was laid with full military honour.
Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd), Acting Corps Commander Lahore Major General Shaukat Sultan, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Raheel Sharif, District Nazim Mian Amir Mahmood, senior army officials and prominent political, religious and social figures and the people from different walks of life participated in the funeral.
After funeral prayer, amidst the tears and sighs of a large number of people who were present on the occasion, the late Commando was buried near the grave of his late father in martyrs' graveyard of Pakistan Army.
After the burial, a battalion of Lahore Garrison, Sindh Regiment along with Governor of Punjab Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) put flower wreath at the grave of soldier.
Lieutenant Colonel Haroonul Islam was born at Lahore on October 14, 1967. He got his early education from Cathedral School and FC College from where he did his FSc. The martyred officer was commissioned in Sindh Regiment in 1988 and later joined Special Services Group in 1993. He graduated from the Command and Staff College Quetta. Lieutenant Colonel Haroon-ul-Islam also served in UN Peace Contingents during his illustrious career.
Because of his meritorious services, he had been awarded Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. At the time the operation at Lal Masjid, the martyred officer was commanding a Commando Battalion. At the time of burial very sentimental and heart touching scenes were observed. Talking to Business Recorder, Major Zafar (Retd), elder brother of the deceased, said, "He embraced martyrdom and would live in our hearts and soul."
Mother of Lieutenant Colonel Haroon-ul-Islam, Naseem Islam said that it was the first and foremost desire of her son to lay life for the motherland. She further said it was matter of great honour and pride for her and other family members that Allah Almighty had granted his wish come true and Almighty Allah bestowed him a place amongst martyrs.
The late commando officer has left behind a widow and two daughters, five-year-old Zainab Haroon and four-year-old Memoona Haroon. He has also left behind four sisters and three brothers. Most of his relatives are serving in the Pakistan Army. His elder bother had early retired from Pakistan Army and his younger brother Zaheer is presently working in Federal Investigation Agency as an inspector.
His three sisters are living in Canada. Lieutenant Colonel Haroon-ul- Islam embraced martyrdom on Saturday in an operation against the militants, entrenched at Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, in the Federal Capital. He died when he was making efforts to rescue hundreds of students who were made hostage by the militants.