LAHORE, April 13: Group Captain (retd) Cecil Chaudhry, a veteran fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force and a war hero, died here on Friday.

He was 70.

Mr Chaudhry was suffering from lung cancer and was under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital where he passed away.

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, has expressed his extreme grief on the death of the PAF legend.

Mr Chaudhry was born on Aug 27, 1941, in a Christian (Roman Catholic) family of Dalwal village located in the Salt Range. Son of veteran photo-journalist F.E. Chaudhry, Cecil joined the PAF on March 12, 1958, and got commissioned in the GD(P) branch on June 26, 1960.

During his career, he commanded two Mirage squadrons and Combat Commanders School.

After his retirement in 1986, he became an educationist and rights activist. He served as principal of St. Anthony’s College for several years. Later, he was appointed principal of St. Mary’s Academy at Lalazar, Rawalpindi. He retired from this post in July and joined the Punjab Education Foundation as its director.

Mr Chaudhry worked for the betterment of special children and for education reforms. He remained affiliated with the National Commission for Justice and Peace, and played a key role in the 14-year campaign that led to the restoration in 2002 of the joint electorate system for minorities.

He leaves behind three daughters and a son – Michelle Chaudhry, Carol Hay, Merlyn Khan and Cecil Chaudhry Junior.

Funeral service will be held at Lawrence Road’s Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday. He will be buried at the Jail Road’s cemetery.

In a statement, the air chief extended his deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the bereaved family over the death of the great fighter pilot and a true patriot. Mr Chaudhry was taken as the beacon of inspiration for the rank and file of Pakistan Air Force, he said.

The PAF chief said Mr Chaudhry participated in several aerial battles during the 1965 and 1971 wars with India.

He was credited with several air-to-air kills and was one of the distinguished Pakistani strike and fighter pilots of that time.

Group Captain Chaudhry displayed outstanding professionalism, unflinching devotion and exemplary courage during the two wars.

His services were beyond the call of normal duty and he made significant contributions to the air superiority that the PAF achieved during the 1965 war. He was part of the famous attack formation which was responsible for the destruction of Halwara airfield and the Amritsar radar in the 1965 war. In recognition of his meritorious services, he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat and Sitara-i-Basalat. — Staff Reporter

LAHORE, April 13: Group Captain (retd) Cecil Chaudhry, a veteran fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force and a war hero, died here on Friday. He was 70. Mr Chaudhry was suffering from lung cancer and was under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital where he passed away. Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, has expressed his extreme grief on the death of the PAF legend. Mr Chaudhry was born on Aug 27, 1941, in a Christian (Roman Catholic) family of Dalwal village located in the Salt Range. Son of veteran photo-journalist F.E. Chaudhry, Cecil joined the PAF on March 12, 1958, and got commissioned in the GD(P) branch on June 26, 1960. During his career, he commanded two Mirage squadrons and Combat Commanders School. After his retirement in 1986, he became an educationist and rights activist. He served as principal of St. Anthony’s College for several years. Later, he was appointed principal of St. Mary’s Academy at Lalazar, Rawalpindi. He retired from this post in July and joined the Punjab Education Foundation as its director. Mr Chaudhry worked for the betterment of special children and for education reforms. He remained affiliated with the National Commission for Justice and Peace, and played a key role in the 14-year campaign that led to the restoration in 2002 of the joint electorate system for minorities. He leaves behind three daughters and a son – Michelle Chaudhry, Carol Hay, Merlyn Khan and Cecil Chaudhry Junior. Funeral service will be held at Lawrence Road’s Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday. He will be buried at the Jail Road’s cemetery. In a statement, the air chief extended his deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the bereaved family over the death of the great fighter pilot and a true patriot. Mr Chaudhry was taken as the beacon of inspiration for the rank and file of Pakistan Air Force, he said. The PAF chief said Mr Chaudhry participated in several aerial battles during the 1965 and 1971 wars with India. He was credited with several air-to-air kills and was one of the distinguished Pakistani strike and fighter pilots of that time. Group Captain Chaudhry displayed outstanding professionalism, unflinching devotion and exemplary courage during the two wars. His services were beyond the call of normal duty and he made significant contributions to the air superiority that the PAF achieved during the 1965 war. He was part of the famous attack formation which was responsible for the destruction of Halwara airfield and the Amritsar radar in the 1965 war. In recognition of his meritorious services, he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat and Sitara-i-Basalat. — Staff Reporter