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10 April, 1959 is enumerated with golden words in history as on this date, two PAF F-86F Sabres from No 15 Squadron intercepted and shot down an Indian Canberra PR57 near Rawalpindi for violation of Pakistani airspace.
Apr 10, 2023
The Canberra Serial#IP-988 hailing from No 106 Squadron of IAF was shot down by Flt Lt Yunis at an altitude of 50,000 feet marking it the First Aerial Victory for Pakistan Air Force.
The Indian Canberra PR57 was on a photo-reconnaissance mission over Punjab province, when Sqn Ldr Naseer Butt and Flt Lt Muhammad Yunis scrambled on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr to intercept the intruding enemy aircraft.
The Indian crew, Sqn Ldr Jagdish Chandra Sengupta and Flt Lt Satendra Nath Rampal, ejected over Pakistani territory and were later arrested. During interrogation revealed that they chose 10th April as the mission date, thinking PAF pilots would be busy with Eid prayers.
In recognition of his professional accumen and valour, Flt Lt Yunis was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat.
The historic event is the manifestation of prowess of PAF aircrew, wherein they have always displayed utmost bravery and professionalism foraerial frontiers of Pakistan.
Hence the well deserved catchphrase: "Sleep Tight, PAF is awake"