On 06 September 1965, as India launched its offensive against Pakistan, PAF responded with a day of extraordinary courage and relentless action in the skies. From blunting the enemy advance towards Lahore to striking deep inside enemy territory, PAF air warriors carried the fight to the adversary with determination and precision. In the morning, then Sqn Ldr Sajad Haider led a Sabre formation against Indian Army columns advancing along the Amritsar–Wagah road. Armed with rockets and guns, the formation made repeated low-level attacks that left behind burning tanks, armour, guns and ammunition vehicles, effectively blunting enemy’s advance towards Lahore. Later that afternoon, in PAF’s first offensive strike against an Indian air base, Sqn Ldr Sajad Haider led eight Sabres of No 19 Squadron towards Pathankot, with Flight Lieutenants M Akbar, Dilawar Hussain and Ghani Akbar among the attacking pilots, while Sqn Ldr Tawab provided tied escort. Achieving complete surprise, the formation plunged through intense anti-aircraft fire & unleashed repeated rocket and cannon attacks on aircraft in pens and on the tarmac.
The base was engulfed in flames & smoke as 13 enemy aircraft were destroyed. The formation’s determination under relentless defensive fire turned the strike into one of the most remarkable operations of the opening day of the war. In another daring mission, Sqn Ldr M M Alam led three F-86 Sabres, along with Sqn Ldr Alauddin Ahmed (Shaheed) and Flt Lt Syed Saad Hatmi, towards Adampur, only to encounter numerous IAF Hunters near Tarn Taran. In a fierce low-level engagement, Alam destroyed two Hunters while his formation damaged three others. 06 September 1965 remains immortalized as a day when PAF answered the enemy’s aggression with fire, audacity & an unyielding will to defend the motherland.
