Fifty years ago in August 1971, a 20-year-old Bengali officer serving as a lieutenant in Pakistan’s elite 14th Para-Brigade, stationed in Sialkot, crossed the border carrying in his boots critical military documents and vital battle information. Months later, these papers invaluably helped the Indian Army win the war between India and Pakistan. That officer’s name was Lieutenant Colonel Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir.

In an interview to The Wire, he recounts and relives the almost unbelievable story that made him one of the youngest war heroes of 1971.

Colonel Sajjad tells the story of his escape from Pakistan and why he believed he had to do this. He recounts how he had to hide in a gorge to avoid firing and deliberately did not surrender to the BSF for fear they might “trade him” with the Jhelum Rangers but chose instead to be captured by the CRPF, very close to the Samba Highway.

He reveals details of how he was treated both by the CRPF and then by military intelligence, and, finally, how at Shakargarh, he was questioned for nine days after the documents he had carried in his boots were closely examined. At the time, the then Director Military Operations, Major General K.K. Singh, flew from Delhi and spent two days in Shakargarh listening to what the young lieutenant had to say.

Since 1971, he has made a mission of securing recognition for Indian soldiers who fought for Bangladesh, including those who died in 1971, from the Sheikh Hasina government. He personally suggested this to her and she accepted his request.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in recognition for his invaluable help and service in 1971.

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