History & Operations of Wars of Pakistan Air Force

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L–R: Flight Lieutenant Mazhar Abbas, Flight Lieutenant Fazal Elahi.

The aircraft in the background is a North American F-86F Sabre, the primary day fighter of the Pakistan Air Force during the 1960's.

Flight Lieutenant Mazhar Abbas took part in the first strike on Pathankot airbase during the 1965 war and later retired as an Air Commodore. Flight Lieutenant Fazal Elahi was KIA during the 1971 war when his Sabre was hit by anti-aircraft artillery while flying a close air support mission.

The photograph was taken on a hardstand (pierced-steel planking is visible underfoot) in front of an operational F-86F. Both officers are in full flying kit, indicating that the picture was most likely taken just before or after a sortie.

Picture Courtesy:- Usman Shabbir

 

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On the evening of 1 September 1965, the skies over Chhamb marked the opening of the air war between Pakistan and India.

That morning Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, a major armoured thrust towards Akhnoor. Indian ground forces urgently requested air support. The Indian Air Force responded by launching twelve de Havilland Vampire fighter-bombers from Pathankot in three formations of four.

Two Pakistan Air Force F-86F Sabres, flown by Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui (No. 5 Squadron) and Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Bhatti (No. 15 Squadron), were already on patrol. Directed by radar, they intercepted a formation of Vampires in the fading light.

Rafiqui quickly shot down two with his six .50-calibre machine guns; Bhatti destroyed the remaining pair. Four Vampires were downed within minutes. Three Indian pilots Squadron Leader Aspi Bhagwagar, Flight Lieutenant Vijay Joshi and Flight Lieutenant Satish Bharadwaj were killed. Flying Officer S.V. Pathak ejected and survived. The brief engagement had far-reaching consequences.

The Indian Air Force immediately withdrew its remaining Vampires and older Ouragans from front-line service. For the Pakistan Air Force it delivered the first confirmed air-to-air victories of the war and an early boost in confidence. Both pilots were awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat.

The dogfight over Chhamb on 1 September 1965 remains one of the clearest early demonstrations of PAF skill in the conflict.

© Gp Capt S M A Hussaini