1965 Sargodha airstrike

Indian aerial operation during the 1965 Indo-Pak War June 2026 June 2026 Sargodha airstrike Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965 7 September 1965 InconclusiveFricker John Battle For Pakistan: The Air War Of 1965 1979 Ian Allan https://archive.org Internet Archive en2013-06-09 Chapter 4: The Reply – Air Battles of September 7th https://bharat-rakshak.com Bharat Rakshak: Indian Air Force 2026-10-15 Air Force Ensign of Pakistan.svg Air Marshal Nur Khan Air Force Ensign of Pakistan.svg MM Alam Air Force Ensign of India.svg Air Chief Marshall Arjan Singh Air Force Ensign of India.svg Om Prakash Taneja Air Force Ensign of India.svg Sudarshan Handa Air Force Ensign of India.svg D.S. Jog PAK Multiple F-86 and F-104 CAP aircraft M2 and M23 anti-aircraft weapons IND No. 1 Sqn No. 5 Sqn No. 7 Sqn No. 8 Sqn No. 27 Sqn No. 32 Sqn *Multiple F-86s and F-104 on Combat air patrol duty Multiple M2 and M23 anti-aircraft guns *22 Mystères 10 Hunters unknown number of Canberra Indian Claim 1 C130 destroyed on ground 2 F-104's destroyed on ground 6 F-86's destroyed on ground multiple F-86's damaged 1 F-104 shot down Sargodha airbase and satellite bases heavily damaged Pakistani claim 1 F-86 destroyed 1 F-104 Shot down No significant damage to Base facilities Pakistani claim 8 aircraft destroyed Indian claim 2 Hunters 2 Mystères 1 Mystère lost due to ground fire 27sqn.jpg Indian pilots celebrate after a strike mission The Sargodha airstrike was a key aerial operation of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in response to the Pathankot Airstrike. The strikes aimed at destroying multiple Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft on the ground and neutralizing a crucial air-base. At that time, it was one of the largest strikes conducted by India.Joshi Sameer 2019-09-09 1965 Sargodha attack: How IAF hit Pakistan's most protected base & destroyed 10 aircraft https://theprint.in/defence/1965-sargodha-attack-how-iaf-hit-pakistans-most-protected-base-destroyed-10-aircraft/288878/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250916195744/https://theprint.in/defence/1965-sargodha-attack-how-iaf-hit-pakistans-most-protected-base-destroyed-10-aircraft/288878/ 2025-09-16 2026-05-21 ThePrint en-US Background 1965 Indo-Pakistani conflict Following Operation Desert Hawk, the Pakistani military planners sought to use their qualitative modern weapon platforms to overrun Indian posts in the disputed region of Kashmir.Schofield Julian 2000 Militarized Decision-Making for War in Pakistan: 1947–1971 Armed Forces & Society 27 1 139–140 10.1177/0095327X0002700108 0095-327X 45346403 144532810Chaudhuri Rudra 2018-01-01 Indian "Strategic Restraint" Revisited: The Case of the 1965 India-Pakistan War India Review 17 1 55–75 10.1080/14736489.2018.1415277 1473-6489 159008785 https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/cd34adf4-526f-486f-92b3-4003a0b8b91e It was also hoped to use this opportunity as India was busy re-building its armed forces following its losses during the Sino-Indian war of 1962."India and the United States estranged democracies", 1941–1991, 1-4289-8189-6, DIANE Publishing, pp 235, 238Schofield 2000 :"...and the balance of military capabilities: India was in the early stages of a military buildup against China, which prompted Pakistani military decision-makers to exploit what they saw as a window of opportunity." This effort culminated in Operation Gibraltar. However, the forces failed to provoke the Indian Kashmiri people to revolt, and the Indian Army promptly started to quash the infiltrating forces once it recognised that it was battling not insurgents, but regular Pakistani Army troops.Mankekar D. R. https://books.google.com/books?id=HQcLAQAAIAAJ Twentytwo fateful days: Pakistan cut to size Manaktalas 1967 62–63, 67 8 November 2011 On 15 August 1965, Indian forces captured three hill positions that had been earlier occupied by Pakistan and were being used to disrupt traffic on the Srinagar – Leh Highway.Rachna Bisht https://books.google.com/books?id=D8tcCgAAQBAJ&q=haji+pir+pass+1965&pg=PT17 1965: Stories from the Second Indo-Pakistan War Penguin UK 2015 9781897829615 232 During Operation Bakshi and Operation Faulad, Indian forces captured the strategic Haji Pir pass by 28 August.29 August 2020 Battle of Hajipir Pass 1965 http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/battle-of-hajipir-pass-1965/ Indian Defence Review This forced the Pakistani forces to launch Operation Grand Slam on 1 September to reach Akhnoor and attempt to hold Indian forces at bay. Facing larger enemy forces, the Indian Army withdrew from their lightly defended positions in Kashmir and opened the Lahore front and mounted attacks inside Pakistani territory. Indian forces also began an advance to Sialkot. The IAF was given the role of supporting the army's objective.6 September 1965 1965: Indian Army invades W Pakistan https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/6/newsid_3632000/3632092.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20200309023155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/6/newsid_3632000/3632092.stm 9 March 2020 26 June 2018 Indian CAS flights On 6 September alone, IAF flew thirty-one Mystère sorties from Pathankot and Adampur, sixteen Hunter sorties from Halwara and six Canberra sorties from Agra for both reconnaissance and close air support of the Indian Army operations in the Chhamb sector. In addition, fourteen Gnat and four MiG-21 air defence missions were also undertaken in areas where ground attack aircraft were operative. The IAF has claimed nine tanks, twelve heavy guns, four ack-ack guns, twenty-six vehicles and one military train as destroyed as a result of these strikes.Thapliyal Uma Prasad The India-Pakistan War of 1965:A History Natraj Publishers 2011 9788181581570 Prasad Sri Nandan India English PAF airstrikes The largest major Pakistani air offensive was undertaken after the Indian Army launched a counteroffensive into Pakistani Punjab province in the early morning of 6 September 1965, to relive Indian troops in Kashmir and to open up a larger font to combat. A large PAF air group destroyed the Pathankot airbase, used by the IAF to support army advances, though the attacks over Halwara were intercepted and shot down and those over Adampur were forced to turn back.Air Commodore (Retd) S. Sajjad Haider 6 September 2015 Straight shooting on the 1965 war https://www.dawn.com/news/1204925 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150916071312/https://www.dawn.com/news/1204925 16 September 2015 2025-06-09 Dawn newspaper enPakistani Air-to-Air Victories http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_324.shtml dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121221231409/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_324.shtml 21 December 2012 2025-06-14 Air Combat Information Group (ACIG.org) website The airbase was severely damaged and most aircraft at the base remained inoperable for the remainder of the conflict.Feats of Courage by Pakistan Air Force https://www.paf.gov.pk/about/feats-of-coverage dead https://web.archive.org/web/20250527211655/https://www.paf.gov.pk/about/feats-of-coverage 27 May 2025 9 June 2025 Pakistan Air Force website The PAF claimed up to 13 IAF aircraft destroyed during this attack. The IAF reported that they lost a C-119, six Mystères, two MiG-21s and a Gnat damaged as a result of the strikes.Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Naval Aviation Accidents and Incidents -1965 [www.bharat-rakshak.com] http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/accidents/listing.php?qyear=1965&qacid=&qunit=&qt=YR 2026-08-22 Bharat Rakshak en-gb Preparations Location Many disused airstrips in Pakistan had also been rehabilitated to be fitted with dummy aircraft, and were occasionally operating North American F-86 Sabres. Blast pens and dispersal sites were also built.15 May 2020 Satellite Airfields and Kirana Hill near Mushaf Airbase https://defence.pk/threads/satellite-airfields-and-kirana-hill-near-mushaf-airbase.666497/ 29 September 2024 Pakistan Defence Forum From 1965, elements of the PAF's 17, 18, and 19 squadrons were based at the Sargodha airfield complex, which also housed the central command offices. This was considered one of the PAF's most heavily guarded locations, being dense with the assets of the air force. During peak operations, the complex housed up to 80 F-86 Sabres, and 5 Lockheed F-104 Starfighters.The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965: Chapter 4 – Close Encounters https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/iaf/history/1965war/book/chapter04-2/ 29 September 2024 Bharat Rakshak 9 June 2013 Indian Air Force In addition, the base was also defended by 64 units of anti-air batteries.2015-08-31 Air Force's fiery foray into aerial combat https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/spectrum/air-force-s-fiery-foray-into-aerial-combat-125191/ 2026-10-12 The Tribune en The Sargodha complex consisted of four airfields. There was Sargodha (Main) with a satellite airfield, Chota Sargodha to the west, Wagowal to the north and Bhagtanwala to the east. The entire network of airfields were situated across the river Chenab, with the Kirana Hills rising to 1500 ft. to the south-east. The ETA over the target being 0530 hrs on September 7. Planning Although Indian Prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri had asked Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh to not launch any major aerial incursions to prevent the escalation of war, following the PAF strikes against Pathankot, Halwara and Adampur in the evening of 6 September 1965, where several IAF aircraft were lost on the ground,ऐसे नाकाम हुआ था 1965 का पाकिस्तानी हमला https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-41205210 2026-05-23 BBC News हिंदी hi IAF High-command issued coded orders for authorising multiple strikes against the PAF on 7 September to the base commanders at Agra, Adampur and Halwara.Thakur Aksheev 2018-09-23 In 1965, India could have turned the war in its favour: Philip Rajkumar In 1965, India could have turned the war in its favour: Philip Rajkumar https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/230918/in-1965-india-could-have-turned-the-war-in-its-favour-philip-rajkuma.html 2026-05-22 www.deccanchronicle.com en Instructors from the Air Force Flying College also joined the fight, creating the flying tactics for the fight.Thapliyal Samridhi 2025-05-06 With 'wings of fire,' IAF hero downed Pakistan's 'faster' jet in 1965, act of bravery even documented by enemies https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/with-wings-of-fire-iaf-hero-downed-pakistans-faster-jet-in-1965-act-of-bravery-even-documented-by-enemies/articleshow/120924004.cms?from=mdr 2026-06-14 The Economic Times 0013-0389 The IAF strike groups were to fly at treetop level to their maximum range and attack targets such as aircraft hangars, missile dumps,and a bulk petroleum installation at Sargodha. A secondary objective was also to take out a long range tracking radar on Sakesar Peak. IAF pilots were to fly the full mission without the lights of the runway during takeoff and without communication with Indian bases to avoid detection by PAF aircraft.srikanth b. r. 2015-09-07 In 1965, these IAF heroes bombed Pakistani airbase in broad daylight In 1965, these IAF heroes bombed Pakistani airbase in broad daylight https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150907/nation-current-affairs/article/hero-1965-war-lives-our-midst 2026-05-22 www.deccanchronicle.com en The IAF command planned to conduct up to 33 sorties against the heavily guarded Sargodha Airfield Complex during the whole conflict.Tiwary Air Vice Marshal AK IAF defeated PAF in 1965 War http://www.indiandefencereview.com/military-and-space/IAF-defeated-PAF-in-1965-War.html 21 November 2011 Vol 22.1 Jan – Mar 2007 Indian Intelligence pointed out to the presence of up to 30 F-86 Sabres, all upgraded to use AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles from the 5, 11 and 15 Squadrons PAF at Sargodha, in addition to multiple F-104 Starfighters.Joshi Sameer 6 September 2019 1965 India-Pakistan war: How IAF's heroes slayed PAF's superior Sabre fighter jets https://theprint.in/defence/1965-india-pakistan-war-how-iafs-heroes-slayed-pafs-superior-sabre-fighter-jets/287642/ 22 May 2026 ThePrint The intelligence reports indicated the constant presence of two to four CAP aircraft and multiple quad-M2 Browning and M23 anti-aircraft guns at the Sargodha Complex. The No.1 and No.32 Squadrons, equipped with Dassault Mystères were selected to attack the main base. No.8 squadron simultaneously attacked the air bases at Bhagatanwala in the vicinity.https://indianairforce.nic.in/our-operations#ops-1965 Air raids On the night of 6 September, IAF Canberras from the No.5 Squadron departed Agra and conducted dive bombings runs from high-altitude. This attack did not cause much damage to PAF facilities. During the rapid scramble to intercept this flight, a Sabre crashed on takeoff from Mauripur. The Canberra squadron then went to provide cover fire for Indian Army positions. 1970-01-01 The Canberras in the 1965 War https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/iaf/history/1965war/book/the-canberras-in-the-1965-war/ 2026-05-23 Bharat Rakshak en-US Just prior to takeoff of the main strike elements, a passing flight of PAF B-57s attempted to strike Adampur base, but no damage was caused and the aircraft from the base managed to takeoff for the morning airstrike.2025-02-09 Indo-Pak Air War 1965: स्क्वाड्रन लीडर देवैया को मौत के 23 साल बाद मिला था महावीर चक्र - विवेचना https://www.bbc.com/hindi/articles/c2k5yvzq48yo 2026-05-22 BBC News हिंदी hi A near collision also occurred between the aircraft of Philip Rajkumar and A.B Devayya during the takeoff roll at 05:28. Twelve aircraft from the No. 1 Squadron of Indian Air Force led by Wg. Cdr. O.P. Taneja attacked Chota Sargodha Airstrip early morning on 7 September. The previous day, the squadron had conducted strafing runs against a Pakistani supply train in Gujranwala. The First strike formation flew at an altitude of 300 feet for close to half an hour after flying into Pakistan. The aircraft arrived over Sargodha at 05:58 and began dive bombing at 30-second intervals. Navigation was done by compass and stop-watch, tough in the result, a formation of four aircraft were left behind over the Beas river. 2014-02-13 Tigers Over Sargodha https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/iaf/history/1965war/rajkumar-sargodha/ 2026-10-12 Indian Air Force en-US They were followed by elements from the No.32 Squadron. The squadron claimed to have destroyed a C-130,and an F-104 Starfighter on the tarmac using SNEB rocket pods. Several F-86 Sabres were also claimed to be damaged in the airstrike. The remaining squadron pilots attacked the enclosed blast pens and aircraft hangars. Eight aircraft from the No. 8 Squadron IAF also attacked the nearby Bhagatanwala airstrip, though when they arrived over the target at 06:00, ground visibility was poor. PAF sources report no losses from this day.John Fricker http://archive.org/details/battle-for-pakistan-the-air-war-of-1965-by-john-fricker-1 Battle For Pakistan: The Air War Of 1965 1979 On the return leg of the journey, Squadron Leader AB Devayya encountered a F-104 Starfighter, flown by Flight Lieutenant Amjad Hussain and both planes crashed after a fierce dogfight. During the battle, Devayya managed to score several cannon shots into Hussain's plane, after the latter attempted to slow down and out-turn the Mystère. While the Pakistani pilot ejected safely, Devayya could not. All aircraft constituting the early morning raid returned except for Devayya. During the mission debrief, the squadron was re-armed with further weapons to conduct a late morning strike at 09:45 AM.60 Years Before Op Sindoor, Pak's Sargodha Airbase Saw Legendary Dogfight https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/60-years-before-operation-sindoor-paks-sargodha-airbase-saw-legendary-dogfight-8403674 https://web.archive.org/web/20250723135603/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/60-years-before-operation-sindoor-paks-sargodha-airbase-saw-legendary-dogfight-8403674 2025-07-23 2026-05-21 www.ndtv.com en At 06:15 AM, five Hunters armed with T-10 Rockets from No. 27 Squadron of Indian Air Force launch on a mission to strike Chota Sargodha Airstrip. However, this raid mistakenly attacked the nearby Wagowal satellite base and claimed to have destroyed two F-86 Sabres on the ground. Sqn Ldr D.S. Jog led the raid, with Sqn Ldr O.N. Kacker, Flight Lieutenant T.K. Chauduri and Flying Officer P.S. Parihar and Flight Lieutenant D.N. Rathore.The squadron also managed to strike the runway of Sargodha Main airfield. The flight managed to ward off Sqn Ldr MM Alam and Flt Lt Masood Akhtar, who intercepted them following the strike, though Kacker's aircraft was hit by fire, forcing him to eject. A second raid followed the main group and No. 7 Squadron IAF was deployed to attack Chota Sargodha Airstrip. This formation was pounced upon by four Sabres and a Starfighter, with the two escort Hunters crewed by Sqn Ldr S.B. Bhagwat and Flying Officer J.S. Brar shot down by M.M Alam over Kirana hills. The other three aircraft in the formation headed back to Halwara without further losses. During this combat, Alam claimed victory over four Hunters in 30 seconds in addition to shooting down another Hunter.1965-09-06 Alam's Speed-shooting Classic http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/alam.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110927040737/http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/alam.htm 2011-09-27 2011-11-15 Defencejournal.comNordeen Lon O. https://books.google.com/books?id=88JvDwAAQBAJ&q=Alam+under+one+minute+hawker+hunter&pg=PA68 Air Warfare in the Missile Age 2010 Smithsonian Institution 978-1-58834-282-9 66–68 en This claim however is disputed, as the IAF denies losing the Hunter element and no verification was conducted by Pakistani authorities.Bowman Martin W. https://books.google.com/books?id=jliqCwAAQBAJ&q=gun%20camera%20footage%20of%20Alam%20kill&pg=PT196 Cold War Jet Combat: Air-to-Air Jet Fighter Operations, 1950–1972 2016-01-30 Pen and Sword 978-1-4738-7462-6 en At 09:45 AM, six Mystères from the No. 1 Squadron IAF led by Sqn. Ldr. Sudharshan Handa and followed by F/L D.S. Brar, F/L D.S. Khaki and F/L Philip Rajkumar launched and attacked Sargodha Main, at 10:15 claiming to have left over seven aircraft destroyed or burning. Using their cannons, SNEB Rockets and 1,000 pound bombs, they engaged fuel storage facilities, ATC towers and three Sabres and a Starfighter on operational readiness. This flight did not suffer any casualties and claimed to have destroyed three Sabres and another Starfighter in a followup strike, though Pakistan only reported the loss of a Sabre and limited infrastructure damage. The flight was authorised as a four-plane formation was unable to navigate and join the main strike-force for the early-morning raid. These four fighters had returned after a futile attempt to spot Sargodha and would strike targets in Sargodha that were initially missed due to poor visibility in the morning. The squadron also hit a railway line in the approach to Sargodha. As the squadron was returning, IAF Ack-Ack units over Amritsar mistook this flight as an oncoming Sabre attack and opened fire briefly. However, none of the aircraft were hit and the flight landed safely in Adampur, with less than three minutes of fuel left. At 3:40 PM, the last raid was launched with two Mystères from No. 27 attacking, before being noticed by Sabres on patrol. The No.1 squadron would also join the final raid of the day, though aborted their mission after being spotted, and consequently fired their weapons into aircraft hangars. Flight Lt B Guha was killed in action later in the evening raid, being shot down by a sidewinder missile.No 27 Squadron(Flaming Arrows) http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=22 1 October 2024 Indian Air Force Home - Indian Air Force Casualties The Indian strike forces lost two Hunters and two Mystères during the combat operations and another to Ack-Ack fire. A PAF starfighter was also brought down. The PAF claimed that ten aircraft were shot down. The PAF lost two aircraft as a result of the raid, one F-86 on ground and a F-104 in the air.Pakistan – India Wars - 1965 & 1971 https://issra.pk/pub/books/Pak-India-Wars-1965&1971.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20250426050002if_/https://issra.pk/pub/books/Pak-India-Wars-1965&1971.pdf 2025-04-26 2026-02-11 issra.pk There were no reported PAF casualties either on ground or air.John Fricker http://archive.org/details/battle-for-pakistan-the-air-war-of-1965-by-john-fricker-1 Battle For Pakistan: The Air War Of 1965 1979 There were four Indian casualties: Sqn Ldr A.B Devayya, Fg Off Jagdev Singh Brar, Sqn Ldr S.B. Bhagwat, and Fg Off B. Guha. Sqn Ldr Onkar Nath Kacker, ejected and was taken POW and released after the war.1965 Air War – Defstrat https://www.defstrat.com/magazine_articles/1965-air-war/ 2026-06-14 www.defstrat.com Aftermath Shortly after the 3:40 PM raid, the counter-air offensive attacks on Sargodha finally stopped. The Indian Air Force claimed to have destroyed around 15 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force.https://books.google.com/books?id=FAhuAAAAMAAJ&q=shot+Cooke The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965 Manohar Books 2005 9788173046414 2009-07-03 In addition, other IAF squadrons were also engaged in combat over Peshawar, with the Raiwind railway yard and a train was destroyed and Pakistani armoured columns at Kasur, Siakot and Chamb were also met by IAF CAS flights. The IAF Squadrons involved in the raid would also participate at the Battle of Khem Karan, where they would cause heavy causalities in the Pakistani Tank regiments before the Battle of Asal Uttar. On the same day, the PAF began counter-air offensives on northern and eastern airfields in India. A formation of four Sabres attacked the Srinagar airfield, which was not defended by IAF Fighter aircraft under a 1948 peace treaty. A DC-3 and a Canadian DHC-4 aircraft used by the United Nations were rendered unserviceable by the raid. Another PAF retaliatory raid over Kalaikunda in the eastern sector resulted in four IAF Vampires destroyed and two Canberra being damaged.1965 Air War – Defstrat https://www.defstrat.com/magazine_articles/1965-air-war/ 2026-10-14 www.defstrat.com Indian CAP aircraft proceeded to engage the strike group, with F/L A. T. Cooke shooting one down and damaging a second.Indian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948 http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_327.shtml usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20040220181855/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_327.shtml 20 February 2004 2009-06-10 Air Combat Information GroupOne Vs Four : The complete story of Alfred Cooke's epic air combat http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/1965war/1334-alfred-cooke.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20170422024022/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/1965war/1334-alfred-cooke.html 22 April 2017 30 April 2016 IAF Canberra's continued to raid Sargodha and Chaklala at night, flying 200 counter air and interdiction missions against these and other Pakistani bases, including those at Akwal, Peshawar, Kohat, Chak, Jhumra and Risalwala until the ceasefire. A night raid was conducted when the No. 16 Squadron IAF deployed five Canberras on 16th September. The leading aircraft approached at approximately 500 ft AGL, dropping two 1,000-lb Target Indicating Bombs. Following the target marking, the other four aircraft then dropped six 1,000-lb bombs each.The Canberras in the 1965 War Bharat Rakshak https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/iaf/history/1965war/book/the-canberras-in-the-1965-war/ 6 August 2026 The IAF only lost a single Canberra, brought down by a Sidewinder missile on 21 September during these bombing raids. Further strikes were also conducted by Canberra and Hunter formations over Sargodha during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. Indian sources claimed that following the action, Pakistan parachuted 135 Special Services Group (SSG) commandos led by Major Khalid Butt at three Indian airfields (Halwara, Pathankot and Adampur) on 7 September. However, most troops missed their landing point and local villagers caught and handed them over to police forces.The attempt was called an "unmitigated disaster" by P.C Lal, with only ten commandos successfully returning to Pakistan.Pratap Chandra Lal https://books.google.com/books?id=vvTM-xbW41MC&pg=PA138 My years with the IAF Lancer Publishers 1986 978-81-7062-008-2 138– 22 November 2011The 1965 War: A view from the east http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/oct/05war.htm 21 November 2011 Rediff news Air superiority was not achieved during the entire conflict by either side.The Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare Edited by Chris Bishop (amber publishing 1997, republished 2004 pages 384–387 1-904687-26-1) Two IAF aircraft would use long-range missiles to strike Sargodha during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, with both missiles impacting and disabling the airbase's runway.Exclusive: Before-After Satellite Pics Show Damage To Pak Bases After Indian Strikes https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exclusive-before-after-satellite-pics-show-damage-to-pak-bases-after-indian-strikes-operation-sindoor-8404473 https://web.archive.org/web/20250722052200/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exclusive-before-after-satellite-pics-show-damage-to-pak-bases-after-indian-strikes-operation-sindoor-8404473 2025-07-22 2026-06-14 www.ndtv.com en Commendations During the conflict, the IAF was awarded a total three Maha Vir Chakras and forty-three Vir Chakras.IAF pays homage to 1965 war martyrs https://www.deccanherald.com/content/502312/iaf-pays-homage-1965-war.html 2026-06-06 Deccan Herald enGallantry Awards Ministry of Defence, Government of India https://gallantryawards.gov.in/awards https://web.archive.org/web/20250506162512/https://gallantryawards.gov.in/awards 2025-05-06 2026-06-14 gallantryawards.gov.in en Sqn Ldr Ajjamada B. Devaiah Mahavir Chakra (p) Wg, Cdr Prem Pal Singh - Maha Vir ChakraAwardee List for the year 1965 , Indian Air Force - Database https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/awards/awards.php?qyear=1965&qaward=&qunit=&qname=&qnum= 2026-06-14 Bharat Rakshak en-gb Wg. Cdr. O.P. Taneja - Vir Chakra Sqn Ldr Madhukar Shantaram Jatar - Vir Chakra Sqn Ldr Sudarshan Handa - Vir Chakra Flt Lt Alfred Cooke - Vir Chakra Fg Offr Mamgain - Vir Chakra Flt Lt Phillip Rajakumar Mentioned in despatchesPrabhu Nagesh 2025-09-06 Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar (retd.) remembers 60 years of the Sargodha (Pakistan) strike https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/air-marshal-philip-rajkumar-retd-remembers-60-years-of-the-sargodha-pakistan-strike/article70018756.ece 2026-05-21 The Hindu en-IN 0971-751X In popular culture In 2026, a film titled Sky Force was released, portraying the strike led by the 1st Squadron (Tigers) over Sargodha.2 October 2023 Akshay Kumar's Sky Force sheds light on India's first and deadliest airstrike; release date unveiled https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-sky-force-teaser-sheds-light-on-india-first-deadliest-airstrike-release-date-unveiled-8964834/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20231008123242/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-sky-force-teaser-sheds-light-on-india-first-deadliest-airstrike-release-date-unveiled-8964834/ 8 October 2023 10 October 2023 The Indian Express enGiri Aditi 2 October 2023 Sky Force: Akshay Kumar To Headline Film Based On India's First Air Strike Attack Against Pakistan https://www.news18.com/movies/sky-force-akshay-kumar-to-headline-film-based-on-indias-first-air-strike-attack-against-pakistan-8600103.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20240603152329/https://www.news18.com/movies/sky-force-akshay-kumar-to-headline-film-based-on-indias-first-air-strike-attack-against-pakistan-8600103.html 3 June 2024 3 June 2024 News 18 en See also Pathankot Airstrike Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965 Indo-Pakistani air war of 1971 References Pakistan Category:Military operations of the India–Pakistan war of 1965 Category:Airstrikes during India–Pakistan wars and conflicts Category:Airstrikes in Pakistan Category:Airstrikes conducted by India Category:Airport bombings in Asia Category:Building bombings in Pakistan Category:1960s building bombings Category:Attacks on military installations in Pakistan Category:Attacks on military installations in the 1960s Category:Attacks on air bases Category:September 1965 in Asia Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1965 Category:1965 in aviation Category:Sargodha Category:History of the Indian Air Force Category:History of the Pakistan Air Force