The 1965 India-Pakistan war was fought between 1 September 1965 to 22 September 1965. It was fought on ground as well as in the air between the IAF (Indian Air Force) and the PAF (Pakistan Air Force).
The PAF was technologically superior at that time as it had got fighter planes from the US nearly free of cost. They had fighter aircrafts like F86 Sabre and F104 Starfighters. The Sabres had the best operational record amongst any fighter aircraft across the globe since the end of World War II.
The IAF on the other hand was flying World War 2 era vintage aircrafts like vampires and Mysteres. The other aircrafts in its arsenal were Hunters and Gnats.
Timeline of the 1965 Indo Pakistan Aerial War
1st September 1965
Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam, a divisional-level offensive supported by two regiments of M48 Patton tanks along the Chhamb-Akhnoor axis in Jammu and Kashmir. The objective was to capture Akhnoor and sever the vital road link connecting Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch. The Indian 191 Brigade was caught off guard and suffered significant losses.
The Indian Army urgently sought assistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to address the critical situation. The Indian Cabinet granted approval at 1630 hours. The nearest IAF base was at Pathankot. It had Mystère IV and Vampire aircrafts, which were prepared for immediate deployment. The Vampires were a first-generation jet fighter from the WWII era that had reached the end of its operational service.
Despite intelligence reports of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter combat air patrol (CAP) over Chhamb, the Vampire squadron commander resolved to deploy the outdated aircraft due to the dire circumstances.
A total of 28 aircraft, including 12 Vampires and 16 Mystères, were deployed, with the first taking off at 17:19 hours. The planes flew in formation, targeting Pakistani tanks and ground positions with strafing runs, though instances of friendly fire were reported later.
Upon spotting the incoming Indian aircraft, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) swiftly deployed two F-86 Sabres to intercept them. These were piloted by Squadron Leader Sarfraz Rafiqui of No. 5 Squadron and Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Bhatti of No. 15 Squadron of PAF.
Despite being outclassed in both technology and performance, the Vampires boldly turned to engage the Sabres, showcasing remarkable courage and daring maneuvers. However, the Sabres, with their superior agility, performance, and firepower, outmatched the Vampires and shot down three of the outdated IAF jets. Although one Vampire managed to get behind a Sabre, it was unable to secure a kill, and the IAF pilots paid the price for their steadfast bravery. Both Pakistani pilots claimed two aircraft kills each.
Eight out of the 12 Vampires successfully accomplished their missions, while 14 Mystères returned without any damage. The IAF declared the operation a success, citing its role in slowing the momentum of the Pakistan Army.
2nd September 1965
Both the Air Forces supported their ground troops on 2nd September 1965. No aerial engagement took place on that day.
Pakistan launched an aggressive propaganda campaign, loudly proclaiming the material and psychological superiority of its Sabre jets over the IAF fighters. This effort extended to a global public relations drive aimed at mocking the IAF.
The IAF’s Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Arjan Singh, rose to the challenge, determined to shatter the myth of the Sabre’s invincibility. He deployed an elite task force to Pathankot with a clear mission to confront and neutralize the Sabre threat effectively.
It was decided to bring the Gnats into the battle. The 23 Sqn, “The Panthers” were deployed at Pathankot on 2 September 1965. It was commanded by Squadron Leader Johnny Greene, a seasoned and no-nonsense fighter pilot. The team was briefed on the critical situation in Chhamb and recent IAF losses. The base commander’s directive was clear: the Sabres had to be dealt with, and Pakistan’s claims of their superiority debunked.
In the dimly lit crew room, Greene devised a bold plan to lure the Sabres into a trap and destroy them decisively. The next day, the IAF would launch its first dedicated “Sabre Slayer” mission, ready to confront the PAF pilots head-on.
The Folland Gnats
The Gnat was a lightweight fighter with a compact design, which made it exceptionally hard to detect during combat. Powered by the Bristol Orpheus engine, its lightweight construction provided a speed advantage over the Sabre at medium and high altitudes. However, at lower altitudes, the Sabre had superior performance.
Armed with 2×30 mm cannons, the Gnat could destroy any aircraft in PAF service with just a few high-explosive hits. Despite its strengths, it was a highly sensitive aircraft that demanded skilled handling. Pilots needed to stay ahead of the Gnat and manage it with precision.
Due to its small size and understated appearance, the PAF largely dismissed the Gnat as a significant threat. Instead, they identified the Hawker Hunter in IAF service as their primary adversary.
3rd September 1965: Bait the Enemy
Four IAF Mystères flew at an altitude of 5,000 feet. They were serving as “bait” to lure out the Sabre combat air patrol (CAP) near Chhamb. Following them were two formations of 23 Squadron Gnats, each comprising four aircraft. These Gnats flew at a low altitude of just 300 feet above ground level (AGL), staying well below the detection range of the PAF’s Sakesar radar. The first formation was led by Squadron Leader Johnny Greene, with Flight Lieutenant Murdeshwar as his wingman, while Squadron Leader Trevor Keelor led the second, trailing 2,000 yards behind.
As the PAF’s Sakesar radar detected the Mystères, a Starfighter and a four-aircraft Sabre formation scrambled towards Chhamb. At Amritsar, Wing Commander Dandapani monitored the radar, searching through clutter for enemy movements. He spotted a fast-moving Starfighter heading towards Chhamb, unsure if a second was present. Soon after, a four-aircraft Sabre formation appeared at 30,000 feet, also heading for Chhamb. Calmly, he relayed the PAF positions to the IAF aircraft. Following the plan, the IAF Mystères turned left from Akhnoor Bridge toward Chhamb but, on Dandapani’s signal, broke right and exited the combat zone at full throttle, drawing the PAF Sabres into pursuit. The PAF Sabres fell for the bait as the Mystères exited the battle zone.
The Gnats revealed their presence to the enemy by executing a bold maneuver. Johnny Greene led his formation into a steep climb, quickly gaining altitude to position themselves advantageously for combat. This ascent was a critical phase where the Gnats were vulnerable, as their rapid climb exposed them to potential attacks from the Sabres. The IAF pilots, however, maintained vigilance, straining to visually locate the enemy aircraft while pushing their nimble fighters to reach 30,000 feet within ninety seconds.
In the ensuing dogfight, Keelor spotted a Sabre piloted by Flt Lt Yousaf Khan attempting to target Murdeshwar in Greene’s formation and issued a clear command for a defensive right break. While Greene’s formation disrupted Yousaf’s attack, Sikand, engaging another Sabre, lost contact with the fight due to poor visibility. Meanwhile, Keelor positioned himself strategically behind Yousaf, countering his pursuit of Murdeshwar. Employing calculated maneuvers, Keelor fired his first burst, striking the Sabre’s wing and elevator. With precision and composure, he delivered a final decisive shot at close range, causing the Sabre to spiral down in flames, marking a historic victory.
The IAF achieved its first jet-to-jet air combat victory, a historic milestone that also marked the second kill by an Indian pilot since WWII and the first-ever combat kill by a Gnat globally. What made this achievement remarkable was that the Pakistani Sabre was equipped with advanced Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, while Keelor relied solely on the Gnat’s guns. Successfully taking down a missile-armed aircraft with gunfire is an exceptional feat in air combat, placing Keelor among an elite group of aviators recognized for their skill and precision in such challenging engagements.
Squadron Leader Brij Pal Singh Sikand, flying a Gnat, mistakenly landed at an abandoned airstrip in Pasrur, believing he had crossed the border safely. Upon realizing his error, his attempt to take off was thwarted by a Pakistan Army jeep on the runway. Sikand was captured and later handed over to the PAF.
4th September 1965
On 4 September, a PAF F-86 Sabre was lost under contested circumstances. The PAF attributed the loss to friendly ground fire, while the IAF claimed responsibility for shooting it down. ‘Pat’ Pathania, who missed shooting down a Sabre on 3 September, got a Sabre kill the next day near the Akhnur bridge.
6th September 1965
On 6 September 1965, the Indian Army launched Operation Riddle, crossing the IB east of Lahore with three divisions. They captured Dograi and Barki, forcing the Pakistan Army to redirect forces to defend Lahore, effectively halting Pakistan’s Operation Grand Slam in Akhnur. As anticipated by India, Pakistan redirected reinforcements from other critical areas, including Chhamb, where their offensive was losing momentum, to counter the Indian advance. Alarmed by the situation, Pakistan’s premier Ayub Khan instructed Air Marshal Nur Khan, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), to neutralize the Indian Air Force (IAF) to prevent it from supporting the Indian Army on the Lahore front. Recognizing the urgency, Nur Khan implemented PAF’s Warplan No. 6, which prioritized pre-emptive strikes against key IAF bases at Pathankot, Halwara, Adampur, Jamnagar, and vital radar installations at Amritsar, Ferozpur, and Porbandar to achieve air superiority and disrupt India’s operations.
Attack on Pathankot Airbase
Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter F56 was a versatile and highly capable fighter jet, regarded as one of the finest aircraft designs in aviation history. Known as a “pilot’s aircraft,” it offered exceptional maneuverability enhanced by its Rolls Royce Avon Mk 207 turbojet engine. This engine provided the Hunter with a top speed of 650 mph and a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, allowing it to excel in both air combat and ground-attack missions.
The Hunter was equipped with formidable weaponry, including four 30mm Aden cannons that were devastatingly effective, delivering a lethal 54-foot spread at kill ranges. For ground attacks, it could carry 16 T-10 rockets or 500/1000-pound bombs, making it a true multirole jet. Its superior firepower, speed, and agility made it a strong adversary against the PAF’s Sabres, demonstrating an edge in performance and combat effectiveness.
Attack at Adampur Airbase
A PAF strike of three Sabres targeting Adampur, led by Sqn Ldr M.M. Alam, was intercepted by IAF Hunters of 7 Sqn’s ‘Grey’ formation under Wg Cdr Toric Zachariah. Over Tarn Taran, the Sabres, struggling with navigation and visibility issues, jettisoned their tanks and engaged in a low-level dogfight. The Hunters outmaneuvered them, forcing the Sabres to abandon their mission and retreat to Pakistan. As the Hunters pursued Alam’s formation, the Sabres went into top speed, maintaining ultra-low levels. The Hunters fell behind, unable to target the aircraft without air-to-air missiles. Alam’s formation successfully escaped and returned to Sargodha. However, IAF lost Sqn Ldr Peter Rawley, who crashed during the engagement, and Alam falsely claimed the kill. Thus, Adampur was saved.
Flight Lieutenant D.N. Rathore and Flying Officer V.K. Neb of 27 Sqn were stationed south of Ludhiana on Combat Air Patrol after being scrambled from Halwara to protect against a possible PAF strike on Adampur or Halwara. While Rathore was an experienced pilot, Neb was still in training and hadn’t yet fired the aircraft’s 30mm cannons. Monitoring the ongoing combat between IAF Hunters and PAF Sabres, Rathore, eager for action, lamented being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Battle of Halwara Airfeild
Rafiqui was alerted by Alam about the IAF Hunters in their strike path and took evasive action by performing a dog-leg maneuver to avoid the Tarn Taran area. This detour delayed his strike’s Time Over Target (TOT) but ultimately resulted in a favorable arrival for the Pakistani forces over Halwara.
Rafiqui’s three Sabres arrived over Halwara airfield about half an hour later than planned. When they arrived, the 7 Sqn Hunters, who had been fighting Alam’s Sabres, were returning to land at Halwara. Two more Hunters had just taken off to protect the landing planes. Rafiqui, seeing these two Hunters right in front of him, took advantage of the situation. He targeted one of the Hunters, flown by Pingale, and fired at him from 500 yards. The shots hit Pingale’s Hunter, causing it to become uncontrollable. Pingale ejected just in time and landed safely near Halwara.
As Pingale’s Hunter crashed, Rafiqui passed over it, and Gandhi, who was following Pingale, noticed Rafiqui’s Sabre to his left. Gandhi turned to engage Rafiqui, but Rafiqui’s wingman, Flt Lt Cecil Chaudhary, positioned himself between Gandhi and Rafiqui, opening fire on Gandhi’s Hunter. Despite being hit, Gandhi managed to keep his aircraft steady and fired back at Rafiqui from 400 yards, possibly damaging Rafiqui’s Sabre. However, Chaudhary’s timely intervention helped Rafiqui avoid serious damage. Gandhi’s Hunter, heavily damaged and on fire, began to fall. Gandhi ejected at a very low altitude, landing hard near Halwara, breaking his ankle but surviving, with only his pride truly hurt.
In this intense air battle, Neb, a rookie pilot, was quickly gaining experience as he fought two PAF Sabres. He dove toward Yunus Hussain’s Sabre. Cecil Choudhary, who was a kilometer behind, warned Hussain about Neb’s maneuver and advised him to break and turn hard to counter Neb’s move. However, Hussain panicked, pulled up to escape, and this gave Neb the opportunity to close in. When Neb fired, his shots hit Hussain’s Sabre, causing it to catch fire and crash. Hussain did not survive. Meanwhile, Choudhary disengaged from the fight and flew back towards Pakistan.
The IAF countered the PAF’s near-successful attack on Halwara, where Rafiqui’s formation almost caused severe damage. The swift and decisive actions of Rathore and Neb thwarted the threat, turning the tide in favor of the IAF.
On the night of September 6-7, 1965, Pakistan launched a daring but poorly executed plan to disable key Indian Air Force (IAF) airfields at Pathankot, Adampur, and Halwara. Sixty elite Special Service Group (SSG) commandos were deployed via three C-130 aircraft, dropped roughly two miles from their targets in the early hours. While the initial drops were executed successfully, the mission faced major flaws in planning and execution. Indian security forces, supported by alert civilians, quickly countered the infiltrators. By dawn, most commandos had been neutralized—either killed or captured—though a few managed to evade capture and return to Pakistan after several days.
The success of Rathore and Neb served as a significant morale boost for the pilots of 7 and 27 Squadrons at Halwara and ensured the safety of the airbase. Although Rawley was lost in an unfortunate accident, and Pingale and Gandhi were shot down in a surprise PAF attack, the Pakistani pilots struggled to match up when faced on equal footing by Rathore and Neb.
Although the PAF’s raid on Pathankot was successful due to favorable odds, the unsuccessful air strikes on Adampur and Halwara were a setback for the PAF. Similarly, attempts to target the radars at Amritsar, Porbandar, and Ferozepur, as well as the Jamnagar airfield, ended in failure. Following these outcomes, the PAF ceased all daylight bombing missions into India after 6 September.
Indian Attack on PAF Sargodha Airbase
On that day, the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a significant operation involving 33 sorties targeting the Sargodha Airfield Complex, a key and heavily defended base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). During these attacks, the IAF lost two Mystere jets and three Hunter aircraft, which were shot down by PAF squadrons defending the airfield.
One Indian Hunter pilot, who ejected near Sargodha, was captured and held as a prisoner of war but was later released after the conflict. In a dramatic engagement, one of the IAF’s Mystere jets and a PAF Starfighter got into a dogfight, where both aircraft sustained critical damage and were shot down. The Pakistani pilot managed to eject safely, while the IAF pilot, Squadron Leader Ajamada B. Devayya, tragically lost his life. Devayya’s bravery and sacrifice were later recognized with the posthumous award of the Maha Vir Chakra, one of India’s highest military honors.
7th September 1965: Battle over Kalaikunda
Located near Kharagpur, Kalaikunda was a World War II-era air station. On September 6, 1965, a significant intelligence lapse led the eastern command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to target abandoned military air bases at Kurmitola and Lalmunir Hat, along with the civilian airfield in Chittagong, while overlooking Tezgaon, the sole operational Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in East Pakistan near Dacca. The PAF responded swiftly with retaliatory action.
On the morning of September 7, 1965, Kalaikunda IAF base was attacked by PAF Sabre F-86 jets. Six Sabres caused extensive damage, and by the time the Pakistani jets returned to Tezgaon, four IAF Vampires and two Canberras were permanently damaged, along with significant destruction to the airfield.
The mood at Kalaikunda was grim after the previous attack, but there was no time to relax. A four-aircraft formation of PAF Sabres had executed a clever tactic to evade radar, heading south before turning north towards Kalaikunda. The radar officer spotted them near Canning and alerted Wing Commander ‘Dicky’ Law. Fortunately, two IAF Hunters, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Alfred T. Cooke and Flying Officer SC Mamgain, were already in the air. They had been on a frustrating patrol but were now directed towards Kalaikunda, 120 nautical miles away, to intercept the incoming raid.
As Cooke and Mamgain neared Kalaikunda, Cooke spotted the PAF Sabres, with three attacking from the west and one watching from the east. Breaking protocol, Cooke decided to engage the three Sabres on the western side, leaving Mamgain to handle the other. What followed was an extraordinary display of daring and skillful flying.
Cooke relentlessly pursued the first Sabre, flying dangerously low and clipping trees. Despite the Sabre’s evasive maneuvers, Cooke’s superior acceleration allowed him to close in. His 30mm gunfire eventually hit the target, destroying the Sabre and killing Flight Lieutenant Afzal Khan.
Cooke quickly targeted a second Sabre, outmaneuvering it with aggressive moves. He successfully shot it down, but the damaged aircraft managed to return to Dacca, where it was later written off due to a lack of spare parts, according to PAF records.
Cooke barely had a moment to recover before another Sabre appeared on his tail. Once again, he turned the tables, transforming his disadvantage into an advantage. He pursued the Sabre as it climbed vertically and then dived steeply to evade. Unwavering, Cooke matched its movements, relentlessly firing. As the Sabre neared the ground, it broke off and fled.
So focused was Cooke on his pursuit that he suddenly realized he was heading toward a steep dive into the ground. He managed to pull up just in time. However, the fight was far from over. Cooke then spotted the final Sabre tailing Mamgain. He quickly warned his wingman and positioned himself behind the Sabre. The Pakistani pilot, clearly shaken, attempted intricate evasive maneuvers to shake Cooke off. Cooke fired twice but soon realized he was out of ammunition. Despite this, he pursued the Sabre all the way to the East Pakistan border before turning back.
10 September 1965
On 10 September, a fierce aerial battle took place over the River Beas, involving eight aircraft: two PAF F-86 Sabres, piloted by S/L Muniruddin Ahmad and F/L Imtiaz Bhatti, and six IAF planes, including four Mysteres and two Gnats, led by F/L V. Kapila and F/L Harry Sidhu. Both IAF pilots reported their guns jamming during the combat. Meanwhile, the PAF pilots claimed to have shot and damaged one IAF aircraft each. IAF records from the same day confirm the loss of one Mystere, with its pilot, Fg Off D. P. Chinoy, safely ejecting over Pakistan and later walking back to safety during the night.
13-14 September 1965
On 13 September, an aerial battle took place between PAF Sabres from Sargodha and IAF Gnats from No. 2 Squadron. F/L Yusaf Ali Khan of the PAF shot down an Indian Gnat, although the pilot ejected safely. Another Gnat was damaged in combat by F/L Imtiaz Bhatti, and while its pilot managed to return to base, All India Radio reported that he later died from combat injuries. His funeral, attended by the President of India, followed his death. Khan was credited with a kill, while Bhatti was credited with damaging the Gnat. Despite later confirmation that the injured pilot and the Gnat crash-landed, the incident marked a significant engagement in the conflict.
Later that night, Indian Canberras made a deep penetration into Pakistani airspace, attacking bases near Peshawar and Kohat. However, the bombers mistakenly targeted Peshawar’s mall road instead of the runway. The Canberras were intercepted by a Pakistani F-104 near Lahore, but they managed to evade the Starfighter and return home safely, though one was damaged by F-86 Sabres. A Pakistani F-86 Sabre crashed while attempting to evade a Gnat that was defending the Canberras, with the PAF pilot being killed. The Gnat pilot, W/C Singh, was credited with the aerial victory. Additionally, Pakistan acknowledged the loss of F-86 Sabre pilot S/L Allaudin “Butch” Ahmad, who was killed in action while leading an attack near Gurdaspur.
16th September 1965
On 16 September, an IAF Hunter and a PAF F-86 Sabre were shot down over Halwara. The Indian pilot lost his life, while the Pakistani pilot ejected and was taken prisoner for the remainder of the war. Additionally, a Pakistani Cessna and an Auster observation aircraft were also downed that day.
18th September 1965
On 18 September, a Pakistani Sabre was downed by an Indian Gnat over Amritsar, piloted by Amar Jit Singh Sandhu, with the District Collector witnessing the dogfight. On the same day, a Pakistani Sabre shot down an Indian civilian aircraft after the plane identified itself.
The PAF pilot mistakenly assumed it was a reconnaissance mission. Years later, the pilot wrote an apology letter to the daughter of the Indian pilot who had been killed in the attack. The civilian aircraft was carrying Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Balwant Rai.
19th September 1965
On 19 September, a Gnat and two Sabres were shot down over Chawinda. One of the Sabres was credited to S/L Denzil Keelor, the brother of Trevor Keelor, who had scored the first Indian aerial victory of the war. The next day, two more Hunters and an F-86 Sabre were lost over Kasur, Pakistan.
The F-86 Sabre proved vulnerable to the Folland Gnat, famously nicknamed the “Sabre Slayer.” During the 1965 war, the Gnat was credited by both independent and Indian sources with shooting down seven Pakistani Canadair Sabres. In turn, two Gnats were lost to PAF fighters.
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