Tariq Mehmood

Hilal E Shujaat. 1990. (Award after his death)

Brigadier Tariq Mehmood Shaheed, most popularly known as Brigadier TM and now TM Shaheed, (8 Oct 1938 – 29 May 1989), SJ (Bar), SBt, SI(M) was a soldier of Pakistan Army. He was serving as the Commander of Special Services Group, when he died in an accident in 1989 due to malfunctioning of his parachute during a free fall display at Rahwali, near Gujranwala. TM was one of the most decorated Army officers who served with SSG in two wars and various special operations.

Early life and education

Mehmood was born on 8 October 1938 at Multan. His father was a professor at Government College, Asghar Mall Rawalpindi. After completing his intermediate education from Gordon Christian College, Rawalpindi in 1956, he went to Lahore and graduated from Government College in 1959. He was also a member of Government College cricket team captained by Javed Burki. After graduation he went to Peshawar to study Law at University of Peshawar, but he also got selected for Pakistan Army at the same time. He made a choice to serve his country and joined Pakistan Military Academy as a cadet in 1960. He graduated from PMA in 1963 with a double B.Sc. in Military science and War studies. He also attended Command and Staff College, Quetta, and completed his Staff Course in 1969.