A Day of Decisive Action: Pakistan Air Force, December 14, 1971

As the 1971 war reached its most critical phase, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) maintained its command of the skies on December 14, 1971, demonstrating composure, precision, and aggressive professionalism.

The day’s actions comprised crucial strikes and decisive air-to-air engagements:

Morning Strike: Crippling Srinagar Airfield

• Target: Srinagar Airfield.
• Mission: Runway strike to cripple operations.
• Strike Leader: Wg Cdr Sharbat Ali Changezi (No. 26 Squadron), leading four F-86F Sabres.
• Escort Leader: Flt Lt Salim Baig Mirza, leading two Sabres.
• Execution: The formation executed a clockwork-accurate sweep, dropping bombs squarely across the runway, severely damaging the airfield’s operational capability.

Air-to-Air Victory (Morning)

• Engagement: As the strike unfolded, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Gnat attempted to contest the attack.
• Pilot: Flt Lt Salim Baig Mirza.
• Action: Reacting instantly, Flt Lt Mirza closed in from astern and fired a measured burst from his guns.
• Result: The Gnat plunged out of control into the valley below, ensuring the safe disengagement and return of the PAF strike formation.

Afternoon Sweep: Shakargarh Salient

• Target Area: Search-and-destroy sweep over the Shakargarh salient.
• Aircraft: F-6s of No. 11 Squadron.
• Encounter: The F-6 formation encountered IAF MiG-21s.
• Pilot: Flt Lt Aamer Ali Sharief.
• Action: Seizing a tactical advantage, Flt Lt Sharief slipped into the rear blind zone of one MiG and launched a perfectly timed Sidewinder missile.
• Result: The missile struck true, tearing the MiG-21 from the sky. This kill reaffirmed the lethal edge of disciplined training and sound combat judgment within the PAF.

The events of December 14, 1971, highlight the Pakistan Air Force ethos: swift in offense, unyielding in defence, and unwavering in upholding national honour.

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