Squadron Leader Khusro Explained

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:
  • Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
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

1971 Indo-Pakistani War

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]

Study report

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]

Award

Squadron Leader Khusro was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ), one of Pakistan's highest military honors.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PAF Martyred. Pak Shaheens.
  2. Web site: PAF Shaheeds - Squadron Leader Khusro. PAF Shaheeds.
  3. News: Missing in Action. The News. 2019-06-12.
  4. Web site: Harry . B. . IAF Combat Kills – 1971 Indo-Pak Air War (See: TABLE 2.1 – PAF AAA and Ground Fire Losses) . 6 September 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719173914/http://www.ordersofbattle.darkscape.net/site/cimh/iaf/IAF_1971_kills_rev1.pdf . 19 July 2011 . dead .
  5. Web site: PAF Museum - Heroes. PAF Museum.