Remembering War Hero Air Commodore Rashid Bhatti: An Outstanding Soldier And Father
Training with United States Air Force on F-104, the Star Fighter. PHOTO: RAFAE BHATTI
Remembering war hero Air Commodore Rashid Bhatti: an outstanding soldier and father
Pakistan's retaliation after the Balakot attack reminded me of a hero who attempted a similar feat in 1971 — my father
Rafae Bhatti
September 06, 2019
My dad was not a martyr. I didn’t lose my dad to the country in his death. I lost him to the country in his life. That night, and every day, I stand proud because of that.
Pakistan and India have once again come to the brink of war after the revocation of
Kashmir's special status by the Indian government. This follows the recent tension earlier this year, when
Indian and Pakistani warplanes engaged in a dogfight over Kashmir on February 27, 2019, a day after Indian jet fighters carried out airstrikes inside
Balakot. Pakistani fighters shot down two Indian planes and the nation celebrated the brave pilots of our Air Force whose courage and bravery made the country proud. To me, however, the
event was a reminder of the courage and bravery of a hero who attempted a similar feat in the 1971 war — my dad. It took me down the memory lane recalling how celebrating our soldiers in public takes a toll on their families.
My late father, Air Commodore
Rashid A Bhatti, had an illustrious career with the Pakistan Air Force. He was selected to be trained with the best fighter pilots in the world in the United States at the Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Among his notable honours, he received the prestigious
Top Gun recognition from the United States Air Force during his combat training in 1961. He was also inducted in the 'Order of Star Fighters' for mac-busting (breaking the sound barrier) while training on F-104s. Later in his life, he proved to be a Top Gun of the Pakistan Air Force as a war hero during the
1971 war.
USAF Top Gun Certificate of Achievement
'Order of Star Fighters' proclamation for mac-busting
My dad joined the elite 9th Squadron during his early days in Pakistan Air Force, where he flew F-104s, including the Star Fighter. The 9th Squadron was home to many outstanding pilots such as Air Commodore (retd)
MM Alam (
Sitara-e-Jurrat), who is credited for shooting down seven Indian planes in one sortie during the 1965 war. More examples include those who later went on to become Chief of Air Staff, such as Air Chief Marshal (retd)
Asghar Khan, Air Chief Marshal (retd) Jamal Ahmad, Air Chief Marshal (retd) Hakimullah and Air Chief Marshal (retd) Farooq Feroz Khan.
My father's most cherished memory was being selected for a fly-past in an elite group by the 9th Squadron on March 23, 1965.
Pakistan's retaliation after the Balakot attack reminded me of a hero who attempted a similar feat in 1971 — my father
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