Today, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) solemnly commemorates the unwavering resolve and extraordinary heroism displayed by its Shaheens on December 8, 1971, as the conflict with India reached its peak. On this day, PAF warriors etched another indelible chapter of valor and sacrifice into the proud legacy of the Air Force.
Today in History
On this day, 08 December, as the 1971 War thundered on, Pakistan Air Force pressed forward with a resolve carved from duty, sacrifice and unbreakable courage. At first light, Flt Lt Fazal Elahi Shaheed, SJ, of the famed No 26 Squadron, readied himself for yet… pic.twitter.com/Dnjc9b0sCK
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) December 7, 2025
The Ultimate Sacrifice: Flt Lt Fazal Elahi Shaheed, SJ
At first light, Flight Lieutenant Fazal Elahi Shaheed, Sitara-e-Jurat, of the famed No 26 Squadron, launched for a perilous close air support mission in the crucial Chamb–Jaurian sector. Having already flown deep counter-air missions against Srinagar and Avantipura and successfully targeted enemy armour in Chamb and Shakargarh, Flt Lt Fazal Elahi embodied selfless devotion, volunteering for every sortie without hesitation.
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That morning, he plunged through a wall of heavy anti-aircraft fire to strike enemy armoured columns with devastating accuracy. After pulling up from his first successful strike, he pressed the attack. On his second dive, a heavy shell tore into his Sabre aircraft. Flt Lt Fazal Elahi embraced Shahadat (martyrdom) in the very arena where heroes earn their immortality, affirming the PAF’s uncompromising resolve in defense of the motherland.
Guardian of the Skies: Sqn Ldr Manzoor-ul-Hassan Hashmi
Later that same day, Squadron Leader Manzoor-ul-Hassan Hashmi, commanding the No 23 Squadron at Risalewala, scrambled into action as enemy Su-7 fighter-bombers stormed in to attack. Guided by Kirana radar, Sqn Ldr Hashmi closed in near Khalsapur and initiated a brutal, low-level dogfight.
With unmatched precision and iron will, he expertly maneuvered onto the tail of an enemy Su-7 and unleashed a perfectly timed Sidewinder missile. The missile found its mark—the intruder erupted mid-air, its threat erased, and the skies above Pakistan stood secure once more. His exceptional victory demonstrated the technical prowess and fighting spirit of the PAF pilot corps.
Legacy of the Shaheens
The courage, devotion, and unyielding spirit of the PAF warriors of 08 December, 1971, continue to illuminate the path for generations of Shaheens who rise today with the same vow: to defend the homeland, steadfast, resolute, and unbowed. The Pakistan Air Force salutes its heroes whose sacrifices safeguard the nation’s air sovereignty.
