7 September: Victories of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in 1965 war celebrated
Pakistan is celebrating Air Force
Day today (Saturday) with immense patriotic fervor, honoring the bravery and
skill of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during the 1965 war against Indian
aggression. Observed annually on September 7, the day serves as a reminder of
the PAF’s remarkable performance when its pilots, with limited resources,
successfully repelled Indian air strikes and delivered a decisive victory.
In September 1965, the Indian Air
Force launched an aerial attack to support its army’s offensive at Lahore’s
Burki border, aiming to capture the city. However, Pakistani ground forces,
including the heroics of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, valiantly resisted.
The PAF's "Shaheens" (falcons) swiftly retaliated, downing several
Indian aircraft within minutes.
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One of the conflict’s most legendary
moments was Squadron Leader MM Alam's extraordinary achievement of shooting
down five Indian Hawker Hunter jets in under a minute, with four downed in just
30 seconds. His feat remains unmatched in the history of aerial combat, earning
him international acclaim and the prestigious Sitara-e-Jurat for his heroism.
Air Force Day not only honors the
PAF's excellence but also reinforces its status among the world's top air
forces. Today, public and private institutions, educational organizations, and
the armed forces will host various events to pay tribute to the martyrs and
ghazis of the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Special prayers for national unity and peace
were offered in mosques following Fajr prayers.
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Wreath-laying ceremonies will be
held at the graves of 1965 war heroes, and cities across the country have been
decorated with banners and streamers to honor the courage of the soldiers who
defended Pakistan’s borders with unparalleled determination.
Source: The
Nation