Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui

Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui (18 July 1935 – 6 September 1965) was a well-known fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. He is recognised for services to his country during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and is a recipient of both the Hilal-e-Jurat (Crescent of Courage) and the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage). He was commissioned in the 13th GD(P) Course on 10 June 1953 winning the Best Pilot Trophy from Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1965
He was shot down during attack on Halwara Air Base along with Flight Lieutenant Younis Hasan as his number 2 and then-Flight Lieutenant Cecil Chaudhry as number 3. Flight Lieutenant Hasan also embraced Shahadat during the same mission. Guns of his F-86 Sabre jammed right in the middle of the attack. Flight Lieutinent Chaudhry asked him to return which he refused. He ordered Chaudhry to carry on the attack and provided cover to the tail of Chaudhry. His plane was badly damaged due to enemy fire and finally crashed on Halwara.

Honors and legacy
Pakistan's third biggest air base, Rafiqui Airbase (Shorkot Cantonment) is named after him. One of the largest roads of the Lahore Cantonment is named Sarfaraz Rafiqui Road in his honour. Rafiqui Shaheed Road in Karachi is also named after him. In Peshawar, the Rear Air Headquarters and PAF School and Degree College, are located on Rafiqui Road.

Notes and references

 * 1) Boy ... We-ll Sort Them Out, from Defence Journal