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CITATION OF PAF HEROS |
Sqn Ldr Sarfaraz Ahmad Rafiqui On 6 September, 1965, Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmad Rafiqui led a formation of
3 F-86 aircraft on a strike against Halwara airfield. The formation was intercepted by
about 10 Hunter aircraft out of which Squadron Leader Rafiqui accounted for one in the
first few seconds. But then his guns jammed due to a defect and stopped firing. However,
Rafiqui refused to leave the battle area which he would have been perfectly justified to
do; instead he ordered his No. 2 to take over as leader and continue the engagement while
he tried to give the formation as much protection as was possible with an unarmed
aircraft. This called on the part of Squadron Leader Rafiqui. The end for him was never in
doubt but he chose to disregard it and, in the process, his aircraft was shot down and he
was killed but not before enabling his formation to shoot down 3 more Hunter aircraft.
Rafiqui’s conduct was clearly beyond the call of duty and conformed to the highest
traditions of leadership and bravery in battle against overwhelming odds. For this and his
earlier exploits, he is awarded Hilal-i-Jurat and Sitara-i-Jurat. |
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Squadron Leader Munir-ud-Din Ahmed During the war, a high-powered heavily defended radar station near Amritsar was
attacked repeatedly by the PAF fighters. In all these missions, Squadron Leader Munir
unhesitatingly volunteered to fly and without regard for his personal safety exposed
himself to intense ack ack fire for long periods in attempts to locate and destroy the
target. In the final successful attack on September 11, he made the supreme sacrifice when
his aircraft was fatally hit. Before his last sortie, Munir flew eight combat missions and
shot down an IAF Gnat on September 10. For displaying courage and determination in the
face of heavy odds and beyond the call of duty, Squadron Leader Munir-ud-Din Ahmed is
awarded Sitara-i-Jurat. |
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Sqn Ldr Alauddin Ahmed Squadron Leader Alauddin Ahmed, led his squadron in twenty combat missions
against the Indian ground and air forces. His leadership throughout the operations was
cool, courageous and most determined which inspired the greatest confidence amongst pilots
of his formations and resulted in destruction of many Indian tanks and vehicles. In his
last sortie, he attacked and blew up an important ammunition train at Gurdaspur rail-head
in complete disregard of his personal safety. During this attack on September 13, his
aircraft was damaged and he was reported missing over enemy territory. Subsequently, it
was confirmed that the officer died in this action. For his exemplary leadership, courage
and valour, Squadron Leader Alauddin Ahmed is awarded Sitara-i-Jurat. |
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Flt Lt Yunus Hussain Flight Lieutenant Yunus Hussain fought in air battles aggressively, fearlessly
and with great professional skill. During one such engagement he fought singly against 6
enemy aircraft and shot down 2 Hunters. Though his own aircraft was damaged in this
encounter, he managed to bring it back to base safely. On 6 September, while attacking
Halwara airfield, his small formation was intercepted by a large number of enemy and,
although his aircraft was hit, he refused to break off the engagement, in complete
disregard of personal safety, and was reported missing from this mission. He became a
symbol of courage and professional ability for other pilots. For his gallantry, valour,
professional skill and devotion to duty he is awarded Sitara-i-Jurat. |
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Sqn Ldr Muhammad Iqbal Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal flew many operational missions which played a
vital part in the success of the Pakistan Air Force during the India-Pakistan War. He
carried out these missions with determination, enthusiasm, outstanding ability and at
great personal risk. His performance, throughout, was exemplary and highly inspiring for
the personnel under his command. For his outstanding leadership, valour, loyalty and
invaluable services to the Pakistan Air Force and the country, he is awarded
Sitara-i-Jurat. |
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Flt Lt Saifullah Khan Lodhi Flight Lieutenant Saifullah Khan Lodhi was a
navigator of exceptional ability and a completely
dedicated officer. He possessed unusual skill,
enthusiasm and drive, which enabled him to make valuable
contribution towards operations. He undertook several
operational missions most cheerfully and
enthusiastically, invariably attaining outstanding
results. It was on one such mission on 11 September ‘65,
that he lost his life. For his extreme dedication to
duty, Flight Lieutenant Saifullah Khan Lodhi is awarded
Sitara-i-Jurat. |
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Leading Aircraftman Leading Aircraftman Anwar Hussain Khan was on duty at a vital point. His
position was rocketed by enemy aircraft and the place caught fire. Anwar Hussain was the
only person on duty over there. He fought the fire single-handedly with the available fire
appliances and managed to control it and thus saved expensive equipment. During his brave
and selfless struggle, he was engulfed by the fire and lost his life. His death is an
example of courage and unfaltering devotion to duty towards the service as well as to the
country. He is granted the award of Tamgha-i-Jurat. |
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Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas On the morning of Friday, 20th August, 1971, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas, a
pilot still under training, was in the front seat of a jet trainer, taxing out for take
off. An instructor pilot from the same unit forced his way into the rear cockpit, seized
control of the aircraft and having taken off, headed the aircraft towards India. With just
some 40 miles of Pakistan territory remaining, Minhas had only one course open to him to
prevent his aircraft from entering India. Without hesitation, and living up to the highest
traditions of the Pakistan Air Force, Rashid Minhas tried to regain control of his
aircraft, but finding this to be impossible in the face of the superior skill and
experience of his instructor, forced the aircraft to crash at a point 32 miles from the
Indian border. In doing so Pilot Officer Minhas deliberately made the supreme sacrifice
for the honour of Pakistan and the service to which he belonged. For this act of heroism
above and beyond the call of duty, the President of Pakistan is pleased to award the
Nishan-i-Haider to Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas. |
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