Sargodha Airstrike

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Sargodha airstrike
Part of Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965

Indian Pilots celebrate after a succesfull strike mission
Date7 September 1965 (7 September 1965)
Location
Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
Result Indian victory
Belligerents
 Pakistan  India
Commanders and leaders

Air Marshal Nur Khan

MM Alam

Arjan Singh

Om Prakash Taneja
Units involved
 Pakistan Air Force
  Indian Air Force
Strength
  • 22 Mystres
  • 10 Hunters
  • unknown number of Canberra
Casualties and losses

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

  • 2 aircraft destroyed
  • No significant damage to Base facilities

Pakistani claim

  • 8 aircraft destroyed

Indian Claim

  • 2 Hunters
  • 2 Mystres
  • 1 Mystre lost due to ground fire

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.[1]

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.[2][3] It was also hoped to use this opportunity as India was busy re-building it's armed forces following it's loss during the Sino-Indian war of 1962.[4][5] This effort cumulated in Operation Gibralter. 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.[6]

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.[7] During Operation Bakshi and Operation Faulad, Indian forces captured the strategic Haji Pir pass by 28th August.[8] This forced the Pakistani forces to launch Operation Grand Slam on 1st September to reach Akhnoor and attempt to hold Indian forces at bay.[9] 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.[10]

Indian CAS flights

On 06 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. [11]

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.[12] A large PAF air group managed to successfully destroy 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.[13][14] The airbase was severely damaged and most aircraft at the base remained inoperable for the remainder of the conflict.[15] The PAF claimed up to 13 IAF aircraft destroyed during this attack.[13]

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.[16] 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.[1][17]

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 7th.[1][17]

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 6th September 1965, where several IAF aircraft were lost on the ground,[18] 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.[1][19]

Instructors from the Air Force Flying College also joined the fight, creating the flying tactics for the fight.[20] The IAF strike groups were to fly at treetop level to their maximum range and attack targets such as aircraft hangers, 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.[21] The IAF command planned to conduct up to 33 sorties against the heavily guarded Sargodha Airfield Complex during the whole conflict.[22]

Indian Intelligence pointed out to the presence of up to 30 F-86 sabers, 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.[23] 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.[1][17] No.8 squadron simultaneously attacked the air bases at Bhagatanwala in the vicinity.[24]

Air raids

On the night of 6th 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.[1] During the rapid scramble to intercept this flight, a Saber crashed on takeoff from Mauripur. The Canberra squadron then went to provide cover fire for Indian Army positions.[25] Just prior to takeoff of the main strike elements, a passing flight of PAF B-57's attempted to strike Adampur base, but no damage was caused and the aircraft from the base managed to takeoff for the morning airstrike.[26]

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 7th September. The previous day, the squadron had conducted strafing runs against a Pakistani supply train in Gujranwala. They were followed by elements from the No.32 Squadron.The Squadron managed to destroy a C-130,and an F-104 Starfighter on the tarmac using SNEB rocket pods. Several F-86 Sabers were also damaged in the airstrike. The remaining squadron pilots attacked the enclosed blast pens and aircraft hangers.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. Nevertheless, it was reported that one of the F-86 Sabres was destroyed at the base, and another damaged.[17]

On the return leg of the journey, Squadron Leader AB Devayya encoutered 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 Hussian'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.[26][27]

At 06:15 AM, five Hunters armed with T-10 Rockets from No. 27 Squadron of Indian Air Force attacked Chota Sargodha Airstrip, destroying two F-86 Sabres. 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 and shot down Sabers taking off to augment the CAP patrols. The flight managed to ward off Sqn Ldr MM Alam and Flt Lt Masood Akhtar, who intercepted them following the strike, though Kackers 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. However this raid mistakenly attacked the nearby Wagowal satellite base instead and the formation was pounced upon by four Sabers 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.[17][1] During this combat, Alam claimed victory over four Hunters in 30 seconds in addition to shooting down another Hunter.[28][29] This claim however is disputed, as the IAF denies losing the Hunter element and no verification was conducted by Pakistani authorities.[30][31]

At 09:45 AM, six Mystères from the No. 1 Squadron IAF led by Sqn. Ldr. Sudharshan Handa attacked Sargodha Main, 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 Sabers and another Starfighter in a followup strike, though Pakistan only acknowledged the loss of a Saber.[19][17]

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 Hangers. Flight Lt B Guha was killed in action later in the evening raid, being shot down by a sidewinder missile.[19][17][32]

Casualities

The Indian strike forces lost two Hunters and two Mystères during the combat operations and another to Ack-Ack fire. A Starfighter was also brought down and most large ground assets of the PAF, as well as several PAF aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Sargodha airbase. The PAF claimed that 10 aircraft were shot down. Pakistani sources claim the PAF lost 2 aircraft as a result of the raid, one aircraft on ground and another in the air.[33] An IAF Hunter pilot who ejected was taken POW and released after the war.[34]

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. On the same day, the PAF began counter-air offensives on northern and eastern airfields in India.[17] During the 7 September PAF retaliatory raid over Kalaikunda in the eastern sector four IAF Vampires and two Canberras were damaged. Indian CAP aircraft proceeded to engage the strike group, with F/L A. T. Cooke shooting one down and damaging a second, with his wingman S.C. Mamgain shooting down the third. A fourth aircraft escaped.[35][36][37][34]

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, with the loss of one Canberra, brought down by a Sidewinder missile on 21st September. Further strikes were also conducted by Canberra and Hunter formations over Sargodha during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.[25][24] 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.[38]

Indian sources claimed that following the action, Pakistan parachuted 135 Special Services Group (SSG) commandos lead 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.[39][40][41][34] Air superiority was not achieved during the entire conflict by either side, although the strikes allowed IAF fighter bombers and reconnaissance aircraft to fly daylight missions over Pakistan without fear of interception.[42]

Commedations

During the conflict, the IAF was awarded a total three Maha Vir Chakras and Forty-three Vir Chakras.[43][44]

  • Sqn Ldr Ajjamada B. Devaiah Mahavir Chakra (p)
  • Wg, Cdr Prem Pal Singh - Maha Vir Chakra[45]
  • Wg. Cdr. O.P. Taneja - Vir Chakra
  • Sqn Ldr Madhukar Shantaram Jatar - Vir Chakra[45]
  • Sqn Ldr Sudarshan Handa - Vir Chakra[45]
  • Flt Lt Alfred Cooke - Vir Chakra [24]
  • Fg Offr Mamgain - Vir Chakra [24]
  • Phillip Rajakumar Mentioned in despatches [46]

In 2026, a film titled Sky Force was released, portraying the strike led by the 1st Squadron (Tigers) Over Sargodha.[47][48]

See also

References

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  2. SCHOFIELD, JULIAN (2000). "Militarized Decision-Making for War in Pakistan: 1947–1971". Armed Forces & Society. 27 (1): 139–140. doi:10.1177/0095327X0002700108. ISSN 0095-327X. JSTOR 45346403. S2CID 144532810.
  3. Chaudhuri, Rudra (1 January 2018). "Indian "Strategic Restraint" Revisited: The Case of the 1965 India-Pakistan War". India Review. 17 (1): 55–75. doi:10.1080/14736489.2018.1415277. ISSN 1473-6489. S2CID 159008785.
  4. "India and the United States estranged democracies", 1941–1991, ISBN 1-4289-8189-6, DIANE Publishing, pp 235, 238
  5. Schofield, Julian (2000). "Militarized Decision-Making for War in Pakistan: 1947–1971". Armed Forces & Society. 27 (1): 140. doi:10.1177/0095327X0002700108. ISSN 0095-327X. JSTOR 45346403. S2CID 144532810. …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.
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  47. "Akshay Kumar's Sky Force sheds light on India's first and deadliest airstrike; release date unveiled". The Indian Express. 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
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