Remembering Our Warriors

Flt Lt (Retd)

Riffat Jamil, SJ

DJ’s A H AMIN interviews one of PAF’s 1971 war heroes.

Please tell us something about your early life?

My parents came from a place called Almora in Kumaon Division U.P. India and settled in the first colony of Pakistan called Pir Elahi Buksh Colony in Karachi. As a child I was very fond of sports, till class five I studied in various branches of Froebel School. After that I joined Mary Colaco School. I was a student of class eight when I was selected for Pakistan Air Force Public School Lower Topa Murree Hills in May 1962.

School/College life Education?

In the public school I excelled in sports and got my first school colour in cricket in the year 1963. In the year 1965 I was awarded school colours in cricket, football, squash (I was also the inter-public school squash champion in the year 1965), basketball and special certificate in hockey and special gold award in a toughness course. In the year 1965 I was the house captain of my house (Tipu Sultan) and was also the head boy of the school. In 1965 I appeared in matriculation examination and obtained 68% marks with distinction in English and physics. I was in first year when I appeared for the selection process to become a General duty pilot in Pakistan Air Force and was successfully selected. And I joined Pakistan Air Force Academy Risalpur in February 1966. In the first term the life was very tough, we had to pass a saluting test in order to qualify to go out of the academy on weekends and holidays. Being the junior most course in the academy a lot of ragging by seniors had to be endured. There were a total of four terms in the academy, the first two terms were for the ground subjects and the last two were for flying and the ground subjects. During my academy life in Risalpur I was Academy squash champion and I obtained 70.8% marks in intermediate science and successfully got commission as a General duty pilot on January 28, 1968.

Anyone who had a decisive/formative influence on your personality?

During my training as a flight cadet in the academy my instructor, then Flight Lieutenant Raja Aftab impressed me the most and whose hardwork made me become a pilot. Later on, my instructor commanded the Pakistan Air Force Academy and retired as Air Vice Marshal. These days he is the principal of one of the prestigious institutions that is Pakistan Air Force Public School Sargodha.

Motivation to join the PAF?

Right from the beginning as a child I had thought of joining the armed forces to serve my country. In 1965 war with India, I was a class ten student in Pakistan Air Force Public School Lower Topa in Murree Hills. It was this war which further strengthened my conviction to join Pakistan Air Force as a pilot.

Impressions/Experiences at the PAF Academy?

In my opinion Pakistan Air Force Academy Risalpur is one of the finest institutions in the world. During my stay in the academy in Risalpur I had the privilege of meeting a lots of pilots who had taken part in the 1965 war with India.

Any instructor who you found particularly impressive at the academy?

As I have already mentioned it was my flight instructor then Flight Lieutenant Raja Aftab who taught me how to fly an aeroplane impressed me the most.

Any memorable incident at the academy in terms of flying?

While I was in a final term during a landing on T-6.G aircraft known as Harvard had a tyre burst which resulted in a vicious swing to the left with the nose dug into the ground and the tail up to the sky at an angle of almost 65 to 70 degree with me hanging in the shoulder harnesses and the seat belt.

Service profile from passing out till 1971?

After having graduated from Pakistan Air Force Academy Risalpur I was posted to Karachi to do the jet conversion on T-33 aircraft. Having successfully qualified the jet conversion I was sent to Peshawar to do the fighter conversion on F-86 aircraft. During my fighter conversion period I had lost my father who had been ill for a very long time. After having qualified the fighter conversion I was being posted to Dacca, then East Pakistan in one of the fighter squadrons. When I learnt about this posting I approached my Commanding Officer and requested him that since I had recently lost my father and there was nobody to look after my mother, two younger sisters and my younger brother that I may be posted to Karachi in one of the fighter squadrons so that I can take care of my domestic problems. There was no vacancy in Karachi in any fighter squadrons, I was asked to accept a posting to Rawalpindi to fly the transport airplanes (C-130). This posting I accepted as it would enable me to go to Karachi at least once a month and take care of my domestic problems.

Experiences of 1971 War and please also tell us in detail about the circumstances in which you were awarded an SJ?

The war with India broke out in Dec. 1971 I was then a Flying Officer flying C-130 in the capacity of a Co-pilot. On 6th Dec 1971 a crew comprising of Captain, Co-pilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer and two loadmasters were detailed to go on a bombing mission to an Indian forward airbase Jaisalmer in the Rajhistan area.

As we had lined up for takeoff and carrying out the run up checks the Airfield came under attack and the bombs started exploding all around and the anti-aircraft guns also opened up. At this particular moment a call came from the Air Traffic Control Officer to abandon the aircraft and take cover. I picked up the microphone (Mike) and told the Air Traffic Controller that we will not abandon the aircraft and take cover and we are rolling for take off. For this act we were told later, that the Base Commander had recommended that the crew of this aircraft be awarded the Gallantry award.

The mission of necessity was flown at a very low altitude to avoid detection by the enemy radar. We were assigned two targets one primary the other secondary. As soon as we pulled up over the target the Jaisalmer airfield the anti-aircraft guns opened up along with missiles that were capable of destroying targets at low altitudes. We went for one of the targets. During the attack our aircraft’s starboard side was hit by the anti-aircraft gunfire. And also a flame was seen running along the runway which most probably was a fighter aircraft with the capability of night interception. We came back and landed at a remotely located airfield. After having congratulated each other for the successful completion of our mission I was the first one to go down the aircraft to see the damage caused by the anti-aircraft gunfire. In the

11 O’clock news from Radio Pakistan it was announced that heavy damage was caused by us to the Jaisalmer airfield. Another aircraft returning from a mission in that area reported Airforce airfield at Jaisalmer on fire. Later on it was discovered by the sources and interrogations of P.O.Ws that a very heavy damage of Airforce, army personnel and Airforce installations was caused. For this act I was awarded the Gallantry award of SITARA-E-JURRAT.

Please tell us something about the Jaisalmer air raid and its tactical/operational effects on the 1971 War?

The morale of the Indian Air Force was shattered and with a result the Jaisalmer airbase could not function for three days and the raid that were coming to Karachi and lower Sind areas were stopped.

How would you compare the PAF and IAF in 1971 War in qualitative terms?

As far as the comparison between the Pakistan Air Force and the Indian Air Force is concerned the Pakistan Air Force was superior to the Indian Air Force as was demonstrated in the eastern and the western sector of the country.

How would you sum up the aerial aspects of 1971 war?

It was the Pakistan Air Force that kept the enemy from inflicting damage to our country especially in the then East Pakistan.

Service profile from 1971 till retirement?

After the 1971 war I again asked for a posting to Karachi on compassionate grounds, my request was accepted with a promise that I will be posted to a fighter squadron after about six months and in the meantime I could go to Karachi and fly the helicopters in a search and rescue squadron which I accepted due to my pressing domestic problems.

How fair is the system of awarding gallantry awards in the PAF?

The system of awarding Gallantry award in Pakistan Air Force is quite fair and a lot can be done in improving the system.

How fair is the system of assessment and promotion in the PAF ?

The system of assessment and promotion in the Pakistan Air Force is fair to some extent and needs a lot of improvement.

Any officer who particularly impressed you as a memorable professional and wartime commander in the PAF?

Yes, Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry with his war performance during the 1965 war with India.

Post-retirement activities from leaving the PAF till joining PIA and also tell us about Libyan experience?

 After leaving the Air Force I joined Karachi Aero Club as an instructor and from here I went to Libya as a flight instructor in Tripoli Aero Club and Ben Ghazi Aero Club.

How fair is the system of induction of pilots in the PIA?

In Pakistan International Airline the induction of pilots is quite fair which I personally experienced while going through the process of joining the Airline. I joined the Airline in August, 1977.

Did you face any problem in integration with the civilian pilots in the PIA?

No, I did not.

What remedies do you propose to the ills that afflict PIA?

I strongly suggest that discipline should be enforced and there should be a very strong accountability process.

Why has PIA failed to continue to make the phenomenal profits which it was making in the 1960s and early 1970s?

I do not have access to exact facts and figures and therefore, am not in a position to make any comments.

What do you have to say about the recent restrictions on PALPA/Trade Union activities?

No comments.

Any message that you would like to give to the readers of DJ?

Yes, the Defence Journal is perhaps the only magazine in the country that gives detail accounts of the wars with the enemy without any exaggeration or prejudice. I am a regular reader of this very informative and educating magazine.