Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui a legendary PAF fighter pilot
Islamabad: Born on 18 July 1935, Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui was a legendary fighter pilot of PAF celebrated for his exceptional tactical skills.
Rafiqui’s primary connection to Jammu and Kashmir was established during the opening stages of 1965 war where he spearheaded crucial aerial combat operations in the Chhamb Sector.
On September, 1 1965, he was scrambled to intercept IAF aircraft sent to halt Pakistan Army’s ground advance towards Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir.
Patrolling at 20,000 feet near Chhamb, he fearlessly descended his F-86 Sabre to engage a formation of heavily outnumbering IAF de Havilland Vampires.
Rafiqui shot down two IAF Vampires in rapid succession and scored a decisive aerial victory over Jammu and Kashmir.
His deadly precision in the Chhamb sector forced IAF to permanently withdraw the entire Vampire fleet from active front-line combat operations for the remainder of the war.
On September 6, 1965, Rafiqui led a strike formation targeting the heavily defended IAF Halwara Air Base to protect the air borders.
After shooting down a defending IAF Hunter, his F-86 Sabre’s guns suddenly jammed due to a technical defect, leaving him completely defenseless in mid-combat.
Showing unmatched selflessness, he refused to flee, ordered his wingman to take the lead and flew defensive maneuvers as a decoy to shield his formation before being shot down.
For his supreme sacrifice, unmatched bravery and brilliant leadership in Chhamb sector and Halwara, he was posthumously awarded both Hilal-e-Jurat and Sitara-e-Jurat.
