Pakistani attackers shot down over Punjab : Indo-Pak War 1965

This painting depicts a classic encounter between fighters of Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) over Indian sky on 06 September 1965. Three Sabre jets of PAF had come to attack IAF airfield of Halwara (near Ludhiana). Defending the airbase were four Hunter fighters of IAF.  Initially Pakistani raiders were able to successfully attack our ground installations but as they proceeded with their attack on the airfield, two of our Hunters pounced on them. In the air combat that followed at extreme low levels between the opposing forces, Flight Lieutenant DN Rathore of IAF shot down the lead Sabre jet and Flying Officer VK Neb shot down the second Sabre. Paki pilot who was shot down by Rathore was Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui. Pakistan decorated Rafiqui with their highest gallantry award and named one of its main airbase after him.  Rathore  was  decorated with a Vir Chakras after the war and later rose to become an Air Marshal. Neb fought again in 1971 and shot down another Pakistani Sabre and was awarded with a bar to his Vir Chakra earned in 1965 war.