The IAF combat elements were expected to go into action swiftly that morning against the PAF, and all was in readiness to receive them. Sargodha, having tried out its defence plans several times in the past, had for many days now been in a dispersed state with aircraft in pens and with all activities spread out, camouflaged and under cover. Hangars and workshops were empty and the broad expanse of the tarmac bare of aircraft. The dispersal and deception were excellently contrived. All other operational bases had taken similar precuations but many lacked suitable dispersal areas and protective pens. Everywhere, however, there was an air of expectancy, of eagerness, of calm confidence, that only professionals radiate. All were at instant readiness ie two minutes from the word 'Go' aircraft could be in the air. Combat Air Patrols were already up before dawn.

Among the very early PAF patrols were two Starfighters from Sargodha flown by Flight Lieutenant Aftab Alam Khan and his wingman, Flight Lieutenant Amjad Khan, who from 30,000 ft over Chamb were vectored by Sakesar GCI towards the scene of a strafing attack by the IAF against a train at Ghakhar station near Rahwali airfield, Wazirabad. Since it was not yet full daylight, the F-104s let down, against orders from Sakesar to stay at 20,000 ft, to about 10,000 ft, and their pilots eventually made contact with 4 IAF Mysteres. These were busily engaged in bombing and rocket attacks against a stationary passenger train under the impression that it was carrying ammunition, and against the mobile control and reporting radar equipment of No 230 Squadron at Rahwali.

Although Amjad was soon thereafter forced to return to base with a radio failure, Aftab dived through the Mystere formation which promptly scattered. The Indian aircraft then began to make their escape by exiting at about 50 ft above the ground, registering considerable alarm in the process over their radios, but they were of course no match for the Starfighter. At close to 600 knots, and virtually treetop height, Aftab selected the nearest Mystere, and began his Sidewinder release drill as the range closed to 4-5,000 ft. When the missile tone came in, he sqeezed the trigger, and seven-tenths of a second later the deadly Sidewinder was on its way. The slight delay seemed much longer in combat, and Aftab looked out towards his wing tip to see if anything was happening. At that moment, the rocket motor fired with a flash which temporarily blinded him, so he instinctively pulled up clear of the ground. This took him to about 5,000 ft where he lost contact with the Mysteres, and he could not observe the result of his missile attack. Monitoring the Indian radio Sakesar was able to tell him that one Mystere had been shot down and one damaged. Aftab Alam's main reaction was astonishment that a shooting war had started at all, but he also achieved one of the world's first air victories by a Mach 2 combat aircraft.