Honorific Suffix: | |
Squadron Leader Khusro | |
Birth Date: | January 8, 1935 |
Death Place: | Missing in Action, 60 km away from Jamnagar, India (Assumed dead) |
Allegiance: | Pakistan |
Rank: | Squadron Leader |
Unit: | No. 18 Squadron (PAF) |
Battles: |
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Awards: | Sitara-i-Jurat (SJ) |
Squadron Leader Khusro (last name unknown) (born January 8, 1935) was a Pakistani Air Force (PAF) officer. He had retired from the PAF, but was recalled to serve during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, Squadron Leader Khusro's most notable act of bravery occurred on December 6, 1971. He volunteered for a dangerous mission to attack the Jamnagar airfield in India. Flying a B-57 bomber aircraft, Khusro was accompanied by Squadron Leader Peter Christy.[1]
While returning from the mission, their aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile. Both airmen were martyred in the incident, and Squadron Leader Khusro was officially declared missing in action.[2] [3]
On 6 September 2006, independent analyst B. Harry published a war study report titled IAF Combat Kills – 1971 Indo-Pak Air War, asserting that Khusro and Christy were killed while returning to Pakistan. According to the report, Khusro's plane was shot down by the IAF's anti-aircraft artillery, resulting in his death prior to capture.[4]
Squadron Leader Khusro was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ), one of Pakistan's highest military honors.[5]