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End of a Sabre Salyer
On 19th September, 1965, a
formation of F-86s of No.17 Sqn carried on a close air
support mission in Alhar (Sialkot- Chawinda) sector.
While attacking Indian Centurion tanks, they were warned
of the IAF’s presence, which turned out to be 4 Gnats of
IAF’s 9 Sqn. F/L Saiful Azam quickly maneuvered his F-86
behind one Gnat and shot the “Sabre Slayer” down. The
pilot of the Gnat F/L Maya Dev ejected and was taken
into custody by Pakistan Army troops. F/L Saiful Azam
was awarded Sitara-i- Jurat. The Gnat has infact not
proved to be a real Sabre Slayer because in dogfights
between Sabres and Gnats, Sabres shot down 2 Gnats and
damaged 1 while Gnats shot down 3 sabres and damaged 1
(confirmed). |