LAHORE (DAILY ITTEHAD) : Air Force Day is being observed with patriotic zeal today (Saturday) to commemorate dexterity and valor of the defenders of air space of the country against Indian aggression in September 1965 war.
Every year on September 7, Air Force Day is celebrated across the country to re-live the memory of 1965 war when our valiant pilots despite limited resources not only annihilated Indian air aggression but also inflicted humiliating defeat on the so-called mighty India through unprecedented skill in the warfare and insurmountable courage.
Indian Air Force, to aid the Indian army which had launched a clandestine attack on Lahore at Burki border with the dream of a sumptuous breakfast at Gymkhana Lahore in the morning but had failed miserably after valiant resistant by proud sons of soil like Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, attacked Pakistani air space but were mauled by the Pakistani Shaheens (falcons) in the air and decimated in the blink of an eye.
The day belonged to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) ace Muhammad Mahmood Alam (commonly known as MM Alam) who shot down five of the Indian Air Force Hawker Hunter Mk. 56 fighters in less than a minute. MM Alam destroyed the first four Indian fighter jets in first 30 seconds while the fifth became his victim within next 30 seconds.
He claimed 11 kills in a day and became history’s only jet ‘ace-in-a-day’ in One Hundred years history of the World Aircraft. He was one of the few aviators who became a hero in few seconds and not only won international acclaim but also was deservedly bestowed with Sitara-e-Jurrat (SJ) for his dexterity and eagle eyes action.
September 7 – Air Force Day – also raised status of the PAF in the comity of nations as a great air force with impeccable skills and dexterity.
Public and private organizations, educational institutions and the armed forces will hold ceremonies to pay homage to the martyrs and ghazis of Indo-Pak 1965 war in connection with the Air Force Day 2024. Special prayers will be offered for the solidarity, integrity and independence of the motherland in all the mosques after Fajr prayers.
Special wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at the graves of the September 1965 war heroes while the city roads have already been bedecked with banners and streamers showing solidarity with the armed forces and acknowledging the great feat of brave soldiers who defended the sacred frontiers of their country with exemplary mettle.