Pakistan Air Force Guards the Airspace: Pak Forces are the Guardians of the Land;(Columnist: Asghar Ali Mubarak)

Pakistan Air Force guards the airspace: Pak forces are the guardians of the land;
(Columnist: Asghar Ali Mubarak)
Pakistan Air Force is the guardian of the airspace while the Pak forces are the guardians of the land,
Every year on September 7, the whole of Pakistan pays tribute to the true guardians of its sovereign skies
Army Chief General Asim Munir says that the armed forces are a source of pride for the nation, September 6th holds a prominent position in national and military history, the evil intentions of a much larger enemy were crushed to dust, the Pakistani forces are performing the duty of guarding the land. On the occasion of Pakistan Defense and Martyrs Day (September 6, 1965), Army Chief General Asim Munir said in a special message that September 6th holds a prominent position in our national and military history as the Defense of the Homeland Day. On this day, our land, naval and air forces fought alongside the nation and crushed the evil intentions of an enemy many times larger than themselves. The Army Chief said that the great spirit of national unity and solidarity that was seen on the occasion of the September War is a source of pride for our armed forces and the nation. Inspired by this spirit of national unity and solidarity, the Pakistani forces are performing the duty of guarding the borders of the Holy Land. The unparalleled courage, bravery and professional skills that our armed forces demonstrated in the September War are not only written in golden letters in the pages of history but are also a beacon for future generations. In his message, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and referred to Surah Al-Baqarah verse 154 in the Holy Quran and said that the Almighty says (And do not say of those who are killed in the way of Allah, “They are dead.” Rather, they are alive, but you do not feel it.) (They are not aware of this.) This verse reflects the high status of the martyrs and the grace of Allah upon them. General Asim Munir said that today we salute the brave officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland. Our martyrs are our priority and we know how to fulfill the responsibility of protecting and protecting our martyrs and their families in the best way and will continue to do so. The motto of the Pakistan Army, faith, piety and jihad in the way of Allah, is not only our way of distinction but also our greatest weapon to deal with the intentions of the enemies. The Pakistan Army is determined to defend the homeland and is equipped with professional capabilities. Every officer and soldier of ours is fulfilling the duty of security and protection of Pakistan with the spirit of September in his heart. The courage and bravery with which the Pakistani forces and people have fought the scourge of terrorism and are still fighting it is unparalleled in the world. The bravery and valor with which our forces have controlled the monster of terrorism has not been achieved by any other country’s army. The Army Chief said that today, thanks to the efforts of these security forces and law enforcement agencies, Pakistan is safe from instability. The Army Chief further said that digital terrorism and 5th generation warfare are emerging as new challenges. Unlike traditional terrorism, digital terrorism is more dangerous and complex. The collaboration of anti-national elements and foreign organizations has made digital terrorism more complex and dangerous. The Chief of the Pakistan Army clarified that while remaining committed to national unity, we are also combating the threat of digital terrorism well. The world knows that the resolve of the Pakistani nation and armed forces is invincible. Army Chief General Asim Munir reiterated in his message that no one can weaken our resolve for a peaceful and secure Pakistan. We desire cordial relations with all our neighboring countries. Despite our desire for peaceful coexistence, we are always ready and alert to defend our beloved country. The sanctity and defense of our beloved country is our priority and the Pakistani forces are determined and ready to give a befitting reply to any aggression against the holy land.
In his message, General Asim Munir emphasized the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and said that the world should understand that the peace of the region is conditional on the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. It is imperative to adhere to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the resolutions of the United Nations. Despite Indian aggression and human rights violations, the determination and courage of the Kashmiri brothers are commendable.
In his message, the Army Chief clarified that Pakistan will continue to raise its voice in favor of the Palestinians. The Israeli aggression in Gaza is a black spot on the world conscience.
In his message, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan emphasized the importance of unity and said; With the determination for the security, development and prosperity of the dear homeland, let us renew the pledge that we will remain united. Forgetting differences, we will demonstrate exemplary unity and harmony. Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir further said in his message that as long as we remain united, no power in the world can harm Pakistan.Air Force Day—celebrated with solemn ceremonies of Quran recitation, special prayers and laying of wreaths at martyrs’ memorials at air headquarters and all PAF bases across the country—is not just a date, but a story of valor written with steel, fire and undying faith that will live on forever. Starting in 1947 with its very limited resources, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has today become one of the most lethal and technologically advanced air forces in the world, proving how to defeat a numerically superior enemy with the best training, strategic tactics and the unparalleled spirit of the falconers.
The Beginning of the Journey: Establishment of the Pakistan Air Force and Early Developments (1947 to 1950s)
The history of the Pakistan Air Force began on 14 August 1947 with the division of the Royal Indian Air Force. The fledgling Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) had only a few Hawker Tempest fighters, Tiger Moth trainers and a few Dakota transport aircraft. This severe shortage of material resources was accompanied by a severe shortage of infrastructure and technical personnel.
In these difficult circumstances, the wise leadership of British air officers (such as Air Vice Marshal Alan Perry-Kane) and later Pakistan’s first indigenous Air Chief, Air Marshal Asghar Khan, molded the PAF into a new mold.
Asghar Khan focused on strict discipline, the establishment of world-class training centers such as the PAF Academy Risalpur, and the acquisition of modern jet engine technology.
By the mid-1950s, Pakistan had established its air superiority in the region by adding American-made F-86 Sabre and F-104 Starfighter aircraft to its fleet under defense contracts.
September Battle: The Indo-Pak War of 1965 and a Historical Record of Air Supremacy;
The real test of the Pakistan Air Force came in the September 1965 war, where it faced an enemy that was three and a half times numerically superior. Despite this, the Pakistan Air Force set a timeless example of defensive and offensive air operations that is still part of the military curriculum around the world.
MM Alam’s World Record: On 7 September 1965, Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam (MM Alam) performed a feat in his F-86 Sabre over the skies of Sargodha that has no other precedent in the history of aviation. He shot down five enemy Hawker Hunter aircraft in less than a minute, four of which crashed within just 30 seconds.
Preemptive and counter-air strikes:
The fearless pilots of the Pakistan Air Force carried out very daring attacks on enemy air bases like Pathankot, Kalaikunda and Adampur, destroying dozens of their aircraft on the ground and crippling their offensive capabilities at the very beginning of the war.
Complete air superiority:
By September 7, supporting the ground advance of the Pakistan Army on the Lahore and Chawonda fronts, the Pakistan Air Force had gained complete control over the war zone.
It was because of these 17 days of unparalleled courage that September 7 was forever known as ‘Air Force Day’.
Unparalleled courage in difficult conditions: The 1971 war and the story of the bravery of the ShaheensThe 1971 battle was geographically very complex and difficult. No. 14 Squadron (“Tail Choppers”), surrounded on all sides in East Pakistan, faced extremely unfavorable conditions in Dhaka. Air Battle in the Sky of Dhaka: A handful of PAF pilots fought day and night with old F-86 Sabres against the enemy’s modern MiG-21 and Hunter aircraft. Even when the runway at Tezgaon was completely destroyed by heavy bombing, PAF men flew until the last moment and shot down several enemy aircraft before the runway became inoperable.
Western Sector Operations: On the Western Front, the PAF maintained a highly aggressive strategy. Deep night raids were carried out on enemy airbases and the Pakistan Army was provided with excellent close air support to stop the enemy’s ground advance in the Thar Desert and northern areas.
Surveillance of the Afghan border: The Soviet Union’s (Russia’s) invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 brought the clouds of war to Pakistan’s western borders. The continuous violations of Pakistani airspace by Su-22 and MiG-23 aircraft from the Soviet and Afghan domains had necessitated a befitting response. The induction of American F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft into the Pakistan Air Force during this period changed the balance of power. With the help of these modern aircraft, PAF pilots maintained the strictest combat air patrol along the Durand Line. During this prolonged border standoff, the PAF shot down more than a dozen infiltrating Soviet and Afghan aircraft and demonstrated its complete mastery of the latest radar-guided missile technology. Self-reliance and defense autonomy: The revolutionary era of the JF-17 Thunder. In view of the dependence on foreign arms supplies and the changing geopolitical situation, the Pakistan Air Force adopted a long-term policy of ‘defense self-reliance’ in the late 1990s. The greatest masterpiece of this vision is the JF-17 Thunder program, which was developed indigenously at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra with Chinese cooperation.The JF-17 Thunder has completed its Block I, II and now the latest Block III stages, which include emerging technology, the latest ‘AESA’ Radar, helmet-mounted sights and long-range PL-15 missiles. By developing its own fighter jets, Pakistan has forever eliminated the threat of international sanctions.
Operation Swift Retaliation and Air Supremacy;
The world witnessed the extraordinary strategic and operational preparedness of the Pakistan Air Force on February 27, 2019 in the form of Operation Swift Retaliation. In response to the cowardly incursion by the Indian Air Force in Balakot, the Pakistan Air Force launched a highly measured counter-offensive in broad daylight. The Pakistan Air Force locked its long-range smart weapons on key enemy military targets across the border, trapping Indian air defence assets in a cunning war trap. In the subsequent historic dogfight, the Pakistan Air Force shot down an enemy MiG-21 Bison and a Sukhoi-30 aircraft. Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured alive, which became a living testament to the professional superiority of the Pakistan Air Force.
Battle of Haq: Historic victory of the Pakistan Air Force in a multi-pronged air war; The biggest and revolutionary turning point in Pakistan’s defense history came during the Battle of Haq. This clash, which arose due to increasing tension over sensitive and strategic mountain passes, forced the Pakistan Air Force to change its traditional war strategy to a completely new and cutting-edge system. To counter the enemy’s long-range weapons and sophisticated combat networks, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, introduced a highly advanced, integrated and automated warfighting system (Kill Chain).
Air-Space Coordination and High Alert:
The Pakistan Air Force activated a Multi-Domain Defensive Posture at the start of the war. Under this strategic system, manned conventional combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UACVs), space communication and reconnaissance satellites, and state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems were linked together, ensuring complete and round-the-clock surveillance of the airspace.
Failure of Strategic Anti-Air Networks:
In a spectacular demonstration of modern hybrid warfare, the Pakistan Air Force’s electronic and cyber warfare experts used specialized and advanced equipment that paralyzed the enemy’s command channels in the early moments of the battle and completely disabled and rendered their largest and so-called impregnable strategic surface-to-air missile networks completely invulnerable at the very beginning of the battle.
Dynamic and Decisive Dogfight: When the enemy tried to increase the pressure on the airspace through long-range stand-off weapons, the PAF quickly abandoned the defensive position and launched an aggressive counterattack. In these air battles, the PAF Shaheens established complete air superiority against the opponent’s most advanced frontline fighter aircraft, proving that the PAF is fully capable of achieving victory in the modern multi-pronged defense environment.
The Battle of Haq has become a modern milestone in military history where the Pakistan Air Force proved its complete superiority in all aspects of cyber, electronic, drone and conventional airspace simultaneously, and military experts around the world recognized it as the undisputed ‘Sultan’ of the skies. Conclusion: Legacy of martyrs and continuation of steely determination for national defense Today, under the dynamic leadership of Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, the Pakistan Air Force is transforming into a “Next-Generation Air Force”.
With the integration of stealth aircraft, state-of-the-art drone fleets and active cyber and space commands, the force is now ready to confront Fifth Generation and Hybrid Warfare. Despite all these heights of technological advancement, the real asset of the Pakistan Air Force is its manpower and the sacred blood of its martyrs. As the Air Chief eloquently put it during the Martyrs’ Day ceremony at Air Headquarters: “Our martyrs are an eternal symbol of courage, sacrifice and national resolve. Their legacy reminds us that the defense of the beloved homeland is a sacred trust that will never be allowed to be violated.” The falcons of Pakistan still stand with the same spirit, keeping their eyes fixed on the skies so that the green crescent flag always flies high.