While this battle of wits between the Sabres, Gnats and the single F-104 was going on, Sakesar had scrambled another F-104 to the scene, Flown by Flight Lieutenant Hakimullah, it arrived in time to take part, together with the other F-104, in forcing down a Gnat which had strayed from its main formation, and had to contend with 2 F-104s at uncomfortably close quarters. Finding himself over an abandoned airfield (Pasrur), Squadron Leader Brij Pal Singh Sikand seeing no other way out of his predicament, immediately landed his Gnat to save his skin. F/L Hakimullah circled overhead until the capture of the aircraft and the pilot was assured by Pakistani troops. Although the F-104s had no direct success so far, it was evident that the IAF had a very healthy regard for its capabilities. The pilot of the captured Gnat - who happened to be the squadron commander, and who was to be dismissed by the IAF while still in captivity stated that he had only the night before arrived at Halwara from Ambala. After refuelling at Pathankot, his formation of six Gnats were assigned that morning to provide close support for Indian Army troops in the Bhimber area.

This, of course, had been frustrated by the determined action of the outnumbered PAF pilots, after which the IAF Gnat pilot claimed that be had lost his radio and compass, and that his two 30mm cannon had jammed. The Indian prisoner, also bet the PAF pilot assigned to fly the Gnat away from Pasrur that he would not be able to start the aircraft, let alone get it airborne. What the Indian pilot did not know however, was that Sqn Ldr S. A. Hatmi of the PAF had flown Gnat Trainers extensively with the RAF, and the differences from the AL-built fighter version were sufficiently minor to present him few problems.

When the Gnat flew into Sargodha three days after landing at Pasrur, with an escort of six Sabres, it was greeted with acclamation, and its few secrets were soon laid bare, although a tactical evaluation was not possible until after the end of hostilities. It was recognised as an effective little aircraft, although with limited range and an inferior turning circle to the Sabre. As for its muchboosted reputation as 'Sabre-Slayer'. it seems that in this respect, the Indians appear to have been victims of their own propaganda. Certainly the Gnat was regarded by the PAF with less respect than the Hunter. Nor is the PAF convinced that it lost more than one or two Sabres to Gnats throughout the entire period of hostilities with India. Meanwhile Gnat No IE 1083 is still hangared at Sargodha as a treasured momento to the PAF's moral superiority over the IAF. And when its guns were tested immediately after its capture, they worked perfectly ……….