By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal
September 7, 1965 is not just a date in Pakistan’s history. It symbolizes pride, sacrifice, and aerial supremacy. On that day, India sought to intimidate Pakistan with superior numbers. The Shaheens of the Pakistan Air Force rose with unmatched determination. The world, including India, witnessed a spectacle of courage that remains alive today.
Among these warriors, Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam carved his name into aviation history. He shot down five Indian Hunter aircraft in less than sixty seconds. Historians worldwide acknowledged it as a miracle of skill and bravery. Alam’s triumph was both a tactical victory and a declaration that Pakistan’s skies would forever belong to its guardians.
Alongside him stood Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafiqui. His guns jammed mid-combat, yet he did not retreat. He chose to protect his formation and embraced martyrdom while covering his comrades. His sacrifice ensured squadron success and set an eternal example of loyalty.
Flight Lieutenant Yunus Hussain also displayed unmatched bravery. He downed enemy aircraft at Halwara before embracing shahadat himself. Squadron Leader Muniruddin Ahmed led daring raids into enemy territory, striking radar installations and crippling communications. These names—Alam, Rafiqui, Hussain, Muniruddin—are inscribed in the nation’s heart, reminding all that honour and courage define Pakistan’s defenders.
This proud tradition did not fade with time. On February 27, 2019, Wing Commander Noman Ali Khan shot down Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman’s MiG-21. By doing so, he carried forward Alam and Rafiqui’s legacy. The downed aircraft became a symbol of humiliation for India, while Pakistan stood proud.
In May 2025, this spirit of defiance returned even stronger. When Indian aggression tried to shake Pakistan, the skies roared with our jets’ thunder. Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos—known as the Battle of Truth—combined courage with precision. The Pakistan Air Force downed six Indian jets, including Rafales, and destroyed India’s S-400 missile defence system. This act sent a message that technological might cannot surpass Pakistan’s Falcons.
The heroes of this operation embodied their forefathers’ spirit. Wing Commander Bilal Raza, Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, Squadron Leaders Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Muhammad Usama Ashfaq, Muhammad Hassan Anees, Talal Hassan, Fida Muhammad Khan, and Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Ashhad Amir received the Sitara-e-Jurat. They fought with nerves of steel, turning every Indian wave into failure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Kamra Airbase to honour them, declaring their deeds changed the regional balance of power.
Between May 8–10, India launched strikes on Nur Khan, Sargodha, Skardu, Murid, and Rafiqui airbases. Pakistan’s Shaheens rose from the flames with unbreakable resolve. They turned India’s aggression into deep humiliation. This was not just a victory of arms but also a moral and psychological triumph, echoing 1965 when courage overcame numbers.
The line from 1965 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2025 is a testament to the Pakistan Air Force’s enduring spirit. From Alam’s lightning-fast strikes to Rafiqui’s sacrifice; from Noman Ali Khan’s downing of Abhinandan to modern Falcons destroying Rafales and the S-400—each act of valour has woven a golden thread in Pakistan’s pride.
Today, when Pakistanis see the Shaheen soaring high, they know their guardians are watching. Courage is unbroken, passion undimmed, and airspace inviolable. As in 1965, 2019, and 2025, the sons of this soil will continue to guard the skies with resolve, Janoon, and unshakable faith. For as long as the Shaheen circles above, Pakistan’s skies will remain free, proud, and inviolable.
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