7th September – Air Force Day
Nazia Nazar
During 1965 war, Pakistan Air Force played remarkable role throughout the war and backed up all the major operations of the war. It was a gigantic task against an adversary having with quantitative superiority in men and material. To achieve this, PAF had adopted courageous approach, which ultimately provided an impregnable shield to the country’s airspace. This accomplishment was primarily attributable the visionary leadership of earlier Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Asghar Khan and dynamic and aggressive leadership of Air Marshal Nur Khan. While addressing a press conference on 4th September, he stated that, “Superiority in numbers does not decide air battles; better training, morale, and above all fighting spirit in fact are the deciding factors.” The days that followed did prove him right.
On 6 September, air support for 10 Division continued throughout the day, as 18 F-86 Sabres kept pounding guns, tanks, APCs which were trying to advance towards Lahore, Jassar and Kasur. Apart from the army officers and jawans’ resistance and sacrifices, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was instrumental in saving Lahore. What many didn’t know was that it was the PAF who played a major role in denying General Chaudhry of Indian Army his cocktail party at Gymkhana Lahore. PAF air support at this crucial juncture turned the tables on the enemy. The diary of Pakistan Army’s No. 10 Division records: “At this crucial juncture, appeared 6 PAF Sabres led by Squadron Leader Sajjad Haider and destroyed the enemy armor and infantry trying to cross the BRB Canal”. In this limited space, it is not possible to give all the names of martyrs and ghazis, as it would require a book to describe their valor and bravery.
M.M. Alam rewrote the history of Air warfare on 7th September by setting new records while defending Pakistan’s Airspace against the aggressors. He shot down five Indian aircraft in less than sixty seconds, and was genuinely branded as a “hunter of the hunters”. He will live forever in history as well as in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people. He was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat. While sharing his memories about his record of destroying five Indian Hunters of Indian Air Force (IAF) on September 6, 1965 within a minute, he told that he spotted two aircrafts and chased them while flying low. He then found four Hunters flying together, who moved in the same direction, which made them the victim of missiles fired from the F-86 he was flying. Government of Pakistan paid him a befitting tribute by naming one of the prominent roads in Gulberg Lahore.
On 7 September, 1965, Squadron Leader Shabbir Syed led a flight of four F-86s on two separate strike missions against Kalaikunda, during which he and his flight destroyed on the ground ten Canberra light bombers and two unidentified enemy aircraft. In the ensuing aerial combat, he destroyed one enemy Hunter. For displaying exceptional flying skill and outstanding valour he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat. On 1st September, 1965 Sqn Ldr Sarfraz Rafiqui shot down two Indian Vampires in Kashmir. On 6 September he led a formation of three F-86s against Halwara. In the ensuing battle, his guns jammed after shooting one Hunter. Still, he refused to leave the battle area, providing cover to his formation. He laid down his life in an outstanding display of courage against overwhelming odds. For his bravery and selfless leadership he was awarded both Sitara-i-Jurat and Hilal-i-Jurat.
During 6/7th September, for the loss of only 6 aircraft (including accidents), PAF had destroyed 50 enemy aircraft on ground and in the air, and damaged 8, not counting the undermined losses inflicted by PAF’s night bombing. This marvelous performance of PAF was substantiated by a letter sent by President of Pakistan to Air Marshal Nur Khan, complimenting the PAF on its first two days of full-scale operations. Subsequently, PAF remained in virtual control in vital battle areas, as the IAF after 7th September, showed growing reluctance to engage an aerial combat. This record-breaking performance of PAF is primarily attributable to Air Marshal Asghar Khan, who was instrumental in transforming the PAF personnel into excellent and devoted professionals. His visionary approach had prepared the PAF well to undertake the adversary with great degree of assured success.
On the other hand, Air Marshal Nur Khan’s farsightedness played a significant role in anticipating the impending flare up in time and very promptly deciding to order a ‘Red Alert’ on 1st September. This action greatly facilitated in preparing the PAF for imminent war. As the war broke, PAF adopted a very offensive strategic plan of crippling IAF on ground through air strikes, while preparing, if required, to fight a secondary battle in the defense of its own air bases. The employment of assets was accomplished in a very innovative and professional manner. Single squadron of PAF F-104s managed to attain and maintain air superiority throughout the conflict. The Star Fighters were employed as top cover for the F-86s representing a threat to the IAF fighter fleet. Resultantly, brilliantly flown PAF Sabers inflicted more losses on the IAF Hunters, Gnats and Mysteres.
The employment of the Bomber fleet was also very well panned by the PAF top leadership. Besides the fighters, the bombers also made significant contributions by undertaking regular night bombing operations against a number of Indian airfields, damaging most of them. PAF leadership also exhibited a classic example of unconventional mans utilizing its C-130 fleet for night bombing. The 1965 war saw the best of the PAF’s war-fighting abilities. The PAF proved its mettle and made history by shooting down 13 aircraft in one day. Its remarkable achievements were because of a very high standard of leadership throughout its echelons; a determination springing from the realization that nothing less than national survival was at stake; and a sound background of training and experience. Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal (r) Muhammad Anwar Shamim also took active part in 1965 and 1971 war, and played his role in putting PAF on sound footing.
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