Dear Members,
6 September 2006 marks 41 years since the 17 day Indo-Pak war of 1965.
Those 17 days would always remain a valuable part of Pakistan’s history.
Golden chapters were added to our glorious military heritage.
Politics apart, it was a proud moment for the nation and the valiant armed forces which lived up to expectation and displayed immense spirit of sacrifice and devotion to duty, from jawans upto generals.
Civilians armed with axes, sticks and daggers marched to the borders and had to be stopped. And many civilian volunteers did take part in the various battles.
The Pakistan Army was at the forefront naturally and the Pakistan Air Force created history with its timely and precise bomber operations and excellent performance in dog fights from the very beginning. The Pakistan Navy decided to play an offensive role and instead of waiting to defend, proactively went out to attack Dwarka.
The September of 1965 brought about a wave of freshness into the Pakistani mind; the nation was united at a crucial time. And the armed forces made the nation proud, with their sacrifice and valour.
Many heroes were discovered, some fallen, some unscathed, some never to be found again. Each one of them added chapters of glory to the story of Pakistan written in their blood. Their legacy remains valuable to us and as it has been passed on to us, shall pass on to the generations to come.
There are countless stories of individual heroism as well as those of entire units emerging victorious against forces much larger. And even in cases of defeat, the spirit of patriotsim and love for the nation emerged victorious writing countless stories of valour in the face of extremely tough situations.
Some heroes who became household names after the war and were decorated, are as popular today, and shall always be. Many heroes who weren’t decorated reached heights of glory and fame too and will always be remembered.
A *random *list of famous and not so famous heroes would undoubtedly always include names such as Major R. A. Bhatti Nishan-i-Haider, Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafiqui Hilal-i-Jurat, Squadron Leader (now Air Cdre retd.) M. M. Alam Sitara-e-Jurat (Bar), Major Ziauddin Abbasi SJ, Major Shafqat Baloch SJ, Flt Lt Yunis Husain SJ, Sqn Ldr Shabbir Alam Siddiqi, Flt Lt Cecil Chowdry SJ, Brigadier Ahsan Rashid Shami SJ, Major Arif Jan SJ.
The nation pays rich tributes to our armed forces and salutes the heroes and thanks them for meeting our expectations in all trying times, including natural disasters like the 8 October 2005 earthquake. Indeed if it hadn’t been for our military and their superior training, organization and expertise in all areas, the nation would have faced much more chaos.
Long live Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force!
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Pakistan Zindabad!
Here are the faces of a few heroes, mentioned above, who laid down their lives or went out to fight death, so that we may live and prosper. May Allah bless them. And may Allah make the current nation and its defenders not just as capable, devoted and patriotic, but much more!
Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, the biggest hero of the war, awarded the Nishan-i-Haider He is one of the nation’s most respected and recognizable faces. He defended the Burki sector of the Lahore border against immense odds. It was undoubtedly the most crucial sector and his battalion the 17 Punjab made history. He was a father of six minor children.
**Sqn Ldr M M Alam SJ **awarded twice. The most famous Ghazi and the most famous PAF fighter, an ace pilot of the PAF. Read about his missions here;
http://pafcombat.com/great_air_battles.htm
He has been the nation’s most famous living legend, a retd Air Cdre now. A principled man who is single and a man of books and knowledge.
** I proudly mention that Air Cdre M M Alam has sent his regards to Paklinks, GupShup and all memebers and has presented us with an autographed image of his self, a rare image never before seen, from his own collection. We have the privilege of receiving this picture autographed for Paklinks by M M Alam.
The picture was taken after the war at PAF Base Sargodha.
He was pleased to know of our Paklinks community and himself being a social welfare oriented soul he was quite encouraging.
Check out the image here;**
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?p=4387639#post4387639
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?p=4387911#post4387911
Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, the young handsome bachelor of the PAF. A dear sould loved by his fellows, juniors and seniors, who still remember him with great fondness. A man of exemplary qualities. He was martyred on the first day of the war and his body was never found. The wreckage of his F-86 is stored in a museum in India. His gun swre ejammed but he stayed on looking afer his juniors, his no.2 and 3, Cecil and Younis though he could have made his way out.
Read his bio here;
http://pafcombat.com/misc/sarfaraz-ahmed-rafiqui.htm
Flight Lieutenant Cecil Chaudhry, the only pilot to return from amongst three from that fateful mission which took away Rafiqui and Younus. A brilliant fighter pilot who inspite of heavy odds managed to return after a nerve wrecking dog fight.
Flt Lt Yunus Husain, The young father of two infant and husband of a young wife, fell fighting alongside Rafiqi. Both of his sons are PAF officers.
This picture defines exactly the spirit with which our forces embrace us and protect us. An Army Medical Corps Lt Col on 10 Oct 2005 at Rawalpindi.
Do pls share any stories, memories or events of the war in your knowledge and pay your tributes.
Kindly share relevant and respectable views & comments only.
