SATTI TRIBE, THE MARTIAL RACE

Sattis are inborn soldiers, they possess a distinctive place and role in the Armed Forces of Pakistan. Every graveyard of Satti region is the resting place of Martyrs and War heroes.

The high walls of mountains of the Satti region on the northeast side, protects the Federal Capital Islamabad as a fortress. As the homeland of most of the in-service and retired forces personnel, it stands surety to the well-being of the motherland.

People inhibiting harsh mountain terrains naturally grow tough and endure a great deal of physical hardship. Mountain tribes in Murree, Kahuta and Kotli Sattian, like people in the entire mountain regions, were averse to slavery. They lived fiercely independent lives since day one. It was known as Aap Raji or self-rule. However, different governments tried to subjugate these tribes from time to time with little success. The turning point arrived during Sikh rule which saw unprecedented atrocities carried out by Sikh armies against mountain tribes. Sattis were confined to higher reaches which were almost outside the approach of Sikh armies. However it forced Sattis to develop a complete self-sufficient lifestyle. They developed their own agriculture, hand mills, water mills, ploughs, etc. But they were deprived of any access to education, health or other civil amenities.

When British and Sikh fought each other Sattis naturally sided with British and Sikhs were finally defeated with the combined efforts of Sattis and British Indian army soldiers. The papers of Sikh surrender were signed at Rawalpindi. Sikhs also meted out similar punishments to other tribes who gallantly fought back them in the entire mountain ranges. The British declared Sattis as martial race and would happily recruit them in their army. The rivalries with Sikhs and subsequent alliance with Brits brought Sattis into regular military profession.

Five war memorials in the Satti region were built to commemorate the gallantry during WWI. Nowhere on this earth such a small population had so many gallantry monuments built in such a number.

It is not true that Sattis showed their bravery only in regular army. Captain Riaz Satti was the right hand man to famous Indian nationalist leader Subash Chandra Bose and worked in the capacity of his secretary. Most of WWII prisoners from Satti tribe joined Indian National Army of Bose.


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TARIQ HUSSAIN SATTI - BANKING PROFESSIONAL

Tariq Hussain Satti is a banking professional with over 30 years of experience. Currently he is the Country Head of Habib Bank Limited, Singapore. He is a former chief executive and director of habib finance international Hong Kong, who also worked as Head of trade services HBL Pakistan. He has studied Masters of Commerce and Bachelors of Law from University of Karachi. He is an alumni of Institute of Bankers, Karachi as well. He originally hailed from Behl Chaka, Lehtrar, District Rawalpindi.

Today is the 70th death anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, the most extraordinary lawyer and legislator in history, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

After 70 years we are still not very clear what Jinnah wanted may be if he had survived a few more years things would have been different, But it’s not hard to understand from all the content that is found in his speeches that he wanted a land where all could live peacefully and with equality.

COMMANDO ALI AKBAR SATTI (LATE) - SSG

SSG Commando Ali Akbar Satti (Late) of 2nd Commando Rahbar Battalion, one of the most decorated Junior Commissioned Officer of his time, served SSG of Pakistan Army for 28 years, who executed several covert operations inside enemy’s den. 

He was a jump-master with over 300 para jumps, who Represented Pakistan as a member of International free fall teams for 16 years.

Ali Akbar Satti was the member of the SSG team, who conducted operations on the Siachen Glacier against Indian positions at -30 temperatures on Ice covered Peaks, under the command of Brigadier TM Tiger. 

He also Participated in several counter terrorism operations. When PIA Fokker was hijacked, he was among the SSG team, who reclaimed the plane and apprehended all 3 hijackers. None of the passengers were harmed during the assault.

Ali Akbar Satti was known for his close association with Brigadier TM Tiger, a notable commander of SSG. 

Brave heart Commando Ali Akbar Satti hailed from Narrar, Kahuta, who passed away in 2013. May Allah bless his soul. Ameen.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER LAL KHAN SATTI SHAHEED - MARTYR OF PNS GHAZI

Chief Petty Officer LAL KHAN SATTI was among the brave 93 men who gave up their lives while defending their country aboard PNS Ghazi. He hailed from Behl Chaka, Lehtrar, Rawalpindi. 

The PNS Ghazi or the “Holy Warrior” could travel up to 20 knots per hour, It had 12 sea mines stored and could store up to 14 torpedoes. Ghazi was the first submarine to be operated by a Navy in the South Asia becoming a serious threat to the Indian Navy.

The mysterious sinking of Ghazi took place on 4-5 December 1971 during its hunt to assault Vikrant and/or during the minelaying mission on the Visakhapatnam Port, Bay of Bengal. The true cause of the sinking is still unknown.

In 1972, Ghazi and her serving officers as well as crew members were honored with gallantry awards by the Government of Pakistan. At the Naval Dockyard in Karachi, a 'Ghazi Monument' was built to perpetuate the memory of the submarine and its 93 men.

In 1998, the Inter-Services Public Relations produced and released the telefilm, “Ghazi Shaheed”. Another movie, Untold Stories: Ghazi and Hangor were sponsored and released by the ISPR to commemorate Ghazi and her crew during their missions in 1971. In 2017, an Indian film was based on this submarine attack named “The Ghazi Attack”.

LT. COMMANDER (R) MUHAMMAD SARWAR SATTI

Lt Commander (R) Muhammad Sarwar Khan Satti, veteran of two wars (1965 & 1971), a hero of Operation Dwarka (PNS Badr). On the night of 7 September, the Pakistan Navy launched its assault on Western Indian shores. Dwarka was chosen for its proximity 200 km (120 mi) from Karachi Port), its lower defences and historical relevance. 

The plan called for a fleet of 7 naval vessels of Pakistan to bomb the town of Dwarka. It was aimed at luring the heavy ships anchored in Bombay into attacking the Pakistani ships to enable the submarine PNS Ghazi lurking in the Arabian Sea to engage and sink the Indian ships. Accordingly, a fleet of seven ships comprising PNS Babur, PNS Khaibar, PNS Badr, PNS Jahangir, PNS Alamgir, PNS Shah Jahan and PNS Tippu Sultan set sail for Dwarka and bombarded the town.

He hailed from Thoon, Kotli Sattian in Rawalpindi, and passed away in 2003. May Allah bless his soul. Ameen.

REMEMBERING OUR HEROES ON PAKISTAN DEFENCE DAY

The blood of hundreds of young men should become a guiding light for us Pakistanis to navigate through dark times of anguish. If these young men could offer their very best and even dear lives to serve Pakistan in time of need, so could each one of us in every walk of life.

The service and sacrifice of our soldiers are selfless; they never get to wear their decorations on their uniform. We must draw inspiration from their deeds in our daily lives.

These men in uniform were sons, brothers, husbands and fathers but, above all, they were sons of Pakistan and proudly upheld the obligation to Pakistan above and beyond their personal desires, responsibilities and relationships.

Let’s pray that the families and loved ones of these heroes find peace, happiness and prosperity in this world and the Hereafter.

We owe them this much to make sure that Pakistan for which their loved ones shed their blood prospers forever.

May Allah bless Pakistan. Long live Pakistan Army.

MAJOR ABDULLAH SATTI SHAHEED

Major Abdullah Satti Shaheed of Pakistan army embraced martyrdom on 25th March 2002 at Gultari Sector, Siachen, the highest battlefield of the world. He hailed from Durnoyan, Kotli Sattian, Rawalpindi.