Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui

Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui
Squadron Leader (Major) Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, 1965.
Birth name	Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui
Nickname	Mani
Born	(1935-07-18)July 18, 1935 East Pakistan Rajshahi
Died	September 6, 1965(1965-09-06) (aged 30) Halwara, India
Buried at	Pakistan Lahore
Allegiance	Pakistan
Service/branch	Pakistan Air Force
Years of service	1953 - 1965
Rank	Squadron Leader
Service number	PAF-3550
Unit	No. 14 Squadron Shaheens
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Awards	Hilal-e-Jurat Sitara-e-Jurat

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

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v t e Pakistan Honours and Military Decorations Gallantry Awards Nishan-i-Haider Medal (Sign of the Lion; 1st Highest Award) Hilal-i-Jur'at Medal (Cresent of Courage; 2nd Highest Award) Sitara-i-Jur'at Medal (Star of Courage; 3rd Highest Award) Tamgha-i-Jur'at (Medal of Courage; 4th Highest Award) Imtiazi Sanad Medal (Mention in Despatches; 5th Highest Award) Non-Operational Awards (Outwith Enemy Engagement) Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Good Conduct) Tamgha-e-Basalat (Medal of Good Conduct) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class I) (Medal of Service; Military) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class II) (Medal of Service; Military) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class III) (Medal of Service; Military) Civilian Military Awards Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence; Civilian) Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence; Civilian) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence; Civilian) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Medal of Service; Civilian)