KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) observed 1965 war hero Mohammad Mahmood Alam’s eighth death anniversary on Thursday. M.M. Alam had breathed his last on March 18, 2013, in Karachi after a prolonged illness.

Paying rich tributes to the late war hero, a statement issued by the PAF said that Alam achieved the remarkable feat of downing five Indian Air Force jets in less than one minute during the 1965 war, which is a record that to date remains unbeaten.

The legendary PAF pilot shot down five Indian fighter jets piloting his F-86 Sabre jet plane, and becoming an ‘Ace in a Day’ on Sept 7, 1965. In total, he had nine kills and two damages during a period of 11 days. As a result of the feat he was honoured with the prestigious Sitara-i-Jurrat with bar.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2021