Two pilots of Pakistan Army, Lieutenant Colonel Rashid Ullah Baig and Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Amir Rana were awarded gallantry award "Golden Order for Peace" by the Republic of Slovenia at a ceremony held at President House in Lubijanam, Slovenia Monday.
According to a message received here, the award has been conferred on the officers in recognition of their valour and commitment demonstrated in August 2005 during rescue of a Slovenian mountaineer, Tomaz Humar who got stranded on the western face of Nanga Parbat (8125 meters) during an expedition.
Slovenian President Dr Janez Drnovsek, who is also Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, conferred the Slovenian national award upon the two Pakistani pilots. Both the officers reached Slovenia on Sunday to receive the award which is the highest ever conferred upon any foreign national. On arrival at the airport of Lubjiana, the Pakistan army officers were accorded a warm welcome by government officials.
The impressive ceremony was held at the Presidency in the capital city of Slovenia. High ranking Slovenian Government officials, diplomats and the Slovenian climber, Tumaz Homar attended the ceremony. Before the President conferred the award, a citation was read out to the participants of the ceremony, highlighting valour of the Pakistan army pilots. President Dr Janez Drnovsek in his remarks thanked the Pakistani pilots for saving the life of Tumaz Homar, who is a national hero of Slovenia.
The President also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for sending the two pilots to Slovenia to receive the award. The two Pakistani pilots were centre of attraction during the ceremony. Government officials, notables and all other present at the ceremony including relatives of the climber Tumaz Homar met the pilots and expressed their thanks for saving the life of their national hero in August 2005.
It may be mentioned here that Reader's Digest, one for the world's most prestigious publications carried a special feature in November 2006 on this rescue operation and highlighted the courage displayed by two Pakistani pilots who saved the Slovenian mountaineer.
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