Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Awarded on:

January 4th, 1946

At dawn on 14th February 44 Captain MOHAMMED ZAHIRUDDIN was dropped by parachute in Japanese occupied BURMA near TAIKKYI, 70 miles north of RANGOON. This officer had volunteered to undertake an extremely difficult and hazardous task, which involved surrending to the Japanese and convincing them that the reason for his volunteering to carry out this operation was that he wished to join the Indian National Army. Within a few hours of landing he was taken into custody by the Japanese KEMPEI TAI, and imprisoned in RANGOON gaol. He remained in prison for four months during which time he was frequently beaten and tortured. Such was his devotion to duty and tenacity of purpose, that despite being subject to frequent and detailed interrogation acoompanied by threats of immediate decapitation, he finally convinced the Japanese of his integrity and obtained his release.
For the following nine months he was employed as Officer in charge of Propaganda, Supreme Headquarters, Indian National Army in RANGOON, holding the successive ranks of Major, Lieut.Colonel, and Colonel in the International Army. In March 1945 he again fell under suspicion, as a result of certain information being disclosed by him in the course of his weekly propaganda broadcasts to India. He was imprisoned under the orders of Subbes Chandra BOSE and remained in gaol until the entry of Allied Forces into RANGOON in May 1945.

Owing to the Japanese faling to grasp certain opportunities ? ? by this officers presence in Burma, his mission was not enirely successful in the way tht it had originally been intended.
The courage, resolution and devotion to duty displayed by this officer during the 15 months he spent in enemy occupied territory, was consistent wih the highest traditions of the service."