1) Air Cdre Abdul Basit had a distinguished career in the Pakistan Air Force, fighting bravely in both the 1965 and 1971 wars against India. He flew over 10 bombing missions in 1965 and 8 missions in 1971, receiving the Sitara-e-Jurat for gallantry in evading surface-to-air missiles over Halwara, India in 1971. 2) Born in 1938 in Lahore, Basit excelled in sports from a young age and joined the PAF in 1959. He trained as a fighter and bomber pilot, leading the first ever bomber aerobatics formation in Pakistan in 1964. 3) After retiring from the PAF in 1988, Basit held several senior positions

1. Air Cdre Abdul Basit, SJ, SI (M), SBt
Name: Abdul Basit
Pak No: 3962
Father’s Name: Shah Muhammad
Date of Birth: 17 January 1938
Place of Birth: Lahore
GDP Course: 28 GD (P)
Date of Commission: 28 June, 1959
Date of Retirement: 15 December, 1988
Honours & Awards: SJ, SI (M), SBt
Face to Face with Veteran: It wasu a pleasant March 2014, evening when Basits’ welcomed
me to their traditional hospitality at their peaceful dwelling in Lahore. One thing, which
stunned me at the very onset of the meeting, was his humble and simple disposition. Usually
in our society, a man with so many achievements becomes a show off, but not this man.
Slowly and gradually as he opened up with the accounts of the two wars, I was enthralled by
his captivating personality and huge achievements.
Air Cdre Basit is among those very few veterans of PAF who had fought both the wars
with pride and honour. He is one such living legend who would continue to instigate the
younger generations of PAF to rise beyond the call of duty and make sincere efforts in making
it ‘Second to None’.

2. EarlyLife/Career: Born in anoble familyof Lahore, sturdy Basit received primary education
from Saint Anthony’s School. Basit was a born sportsman. He, while studying in
Government College Lahore, emerged as the top athlete,,and exceptional gymnast, .
During his college days he was the proud color holder of Govt College Lahore, and
Punjab gymnastics team. He won a bronze medal in All Pakistan Gymnastics and
Athletics Competition held in 1955
Daring Basit was also the proud
member of Shaheen Air Scouts
during his school days where he
learnt the adventurous art of
gliding. With a passion to
become a fighter pilot of PAF, Basit joined RPAF College Risalpur along with 28 GD
(P) course in 1956. His athletic intrigues continued during training at Risalpur as well.
In the final term, Basit became the Under Officer of No 1 Squadron and subsequently
graduated among the top cadets of the course on 28 June 1959. With coveted flying
wing shinning on his chest, Pilot Officer Basit joined No 2 Squadron at Mauripur for
the fighter conversion course on T-33 aircraft. Successfully completing the Basic
Weapon Course at Fighter Leaders School, Plt Officer Basit got his first operational
posting as fighter pilot in No 18 Sqn based at Peshawar and particpated in the 60,s
Dir Bajuar operation in F-86F. With the induction of new state-of-the-art Bombers into
the fleet of PAF, Basit was among the lucky few selected to fly the latest weapon
system. Mastering the art of flying on BABA (B-57 nickname), Basit joined prestigious
No 31 Wing as an operational bomber pilot .He did his sea survival training with RAF
Plymouth and established the first Sea Survival course in Korangi Creek.

3. On 27 October, 1964, the name of Flt Lt Abdul Basit entered into the annals of
aviation history. On this historic day the first ever Bomber formation aerobatics were
performed by four B-57 aircraft at Peshawar during an air display in which Air Masrshal
Omar Dani, C-in-C of the Indonesian Air Force was the Chief Guest. The formation
was led by legendary Wg Cdr Bill Latif. The other formation members were Sqn Ldr
Altaf Shiekh and Flt Lt Shamsuddin. The team executed loops, rolls and wing overs;
the first two maneuvers being unheard of in such a heavy class of aircraft. Their
precise and accurate station keeping throughout the display left the audience spell
bound.
Brief Operational/War Experience : With tensions building between India and Pakistan by
mid of 1965, Basit along with other members of the bomber wing started extensive night low
level flying and weapon delivery training under the leadership of legendary Wg Cdr Bill Latif.
At Somiani range, most of the training involved low level strikes from 1000 ft AGL and dive
bombing attacks entry from 8000 ft, release at 4000 ft and recovery by 2000 ft. The crew also
studied enemy defences, radars, ack ack guns, SAM II missiles and accordingly developed and
practiced tactics to avoid these threats. With the advent of Indo-Pak war of 1965, Basit along
with a detachment of bomber wing got dispersed to Mianwali for launching bombing raids
deep inside enemy territory.

4. Basit flew his first operational bombing mission on 6th Sept, 1965 with Flt Lt
Sarwar as navigator. It was a demanding
mission as they were to bomb the
Pathankot area were the enemy was
gathering and defended by a heavy ack
ack battery. He took the challenge boldly
and took off around mid-night from
Peshawar. Sarwar led the aircraft on
track all the time and they managed to make the TOT (Time over Target) good. As
they pulled up for the first bombing run over the aera, heavy ack ack fire opened up.
Basit, skillfully maneuvered his B-57 and while evading the ack ack fire, dropped 8000
lbs of bomb load cratering the area. They exited at low level and landed back safely
at Peshawar. From 6th to 21 Sept 1965, Basit flew 10 operational night low level
missions against targets like Jodhpur, Adampur, Pathankot Jammu, Halwara and
bombing runs in Sialkot sector.
On 13th morning, Flt Lt Basit was entrusted with a daring mission to strike the
airfield at Jammu in broad day light. Keeping in view the importance of the mission,
the PAF leadership had decided to provide fighter cover to the unarmed formation of
bombers. Four B-57s carrying 8x1000 lbs each, Basit took over as leader, the
bombers took off from Peshawar with a TOT of 12 noon. orbited over Cherat, while
the F-86s jioned from Sargoda. F-86s joined up the bombers in battle formation.
Entering the hostile territory, the bombers dived to deck level. Flying over lush green
and scenic valleys of Kashmir, the formation appeared on target. Simultaneously the
enemy anti-aircraft guns welcomed them with airfield covered like puffs of clouds.
Undaunted by the reckless fire, the valiant leader pulled up for the attack; rest of the

5. members followed his pattern. The moment navigator announced that the aircraft is
overhead the target, Basit pressed the trigger and bombs were released on the Jammu
runway. As he turned away after the attack, navigator called out that two of their bombs
had failed to release; one hung in the belly and the other on the wing. He was not
ready to take the bombs back home which were meant for the enemy, he decided to
go around and make another pass. By the time rest of the formation delivered their
lethal load, Basit orbited over head the airfield dodging the barrage of huge ack ack
fire. Passing through web of dreadful shells bursting in close vicinity, resilient Basit
pulled up for the second attack and delivered the remaining bombs with pin point
accuracy. The daring crew exited the scene at high speed, flew at tree top level and
landed back safely at Peshawar. For flying the 10 night missions he was mentioned
in dispatches 65 War.
Participation in 1971 war: Sqn Ldr Basit was commanding No 2 training Sqn at Mauripur,
when the tensions started to build between the two arch rivals in 1971. As the war broke out
in Dec 1971, Basit was once again in the middle of action. He moved to Mianwali along with
a detachment of 31 Wing with Wg Cdr Younis as the commander.
Brief Description of Gallantry: Basit flew his first operational mission on 3rd
December, 1971, which was remarkable in many ways. As he went to the squadron in
the evening, he was told by the detachment commander Wg. Cdr Yunis that he would
be flying the opening round of the war; night raid on Halwara airfield. Flt Lt GA Khan,
the able navigator planned the mission meticulously and hours before takeoff they
studied the enemy air defence systems employed at the target. The valiant crew took
off in a pitch dark night carrying eight 1000 lbs bombs. G A Khan, a highly reliable
bomber navigator, navigated the aircraft well to target, checking all the turning points

6. on prescribed time using the Radar Bombing sight (RB-1A) . Upon entering the enemy
airspace they descended to deck level and continued to head towards the target. As
they approached set course point, G A gave the heading to target and punched the
clock. As he called for pull up both started looking for the airfield, but were unsuccesful
to locate the runway. Most probably because the runways had been camouflaged
painted. They returned to the set course point the second time and . this time too no
view of the target. Basit and GA decided for the third attempt. This time at pull Basit
spotted the runway kept the eyes fixed on it and started a sprial climb for the dive
bomb attack. All the three times there was no response from the ack ack. The bombs
delayed fuses, as they were released they continued in the dive and commenced
steep turn to avoid any fighter, if there was any.was any. Turning away from the airfield
they saw four small flickering lights at about 2 O’clock at some distance away from
aircraft. Within seconds first flash light cross passed the aircraft with supersonic speed
giving away bright flash of light. The second flash followed in quick succession. Basit
had no clue what was that, he asked his navigator but he was also not sure. Actually,
the SAM battery located at Halwara airfield had suddenly came alive and had fired
four Russian origin SAM-II missiles upon them. When the third missiles crossed pass
them, they knew they were in problem. Brushing aside the consequences resilient
Basit remained calm and took the challenge boldly. For a while the entire missile
avoiding tactics which he had learnt all those years, buzzed through his mind and
against all odds, he decided to continue turning into the direction of the missiles
Dodging the missiles coming at supersonic speed the valiant crew pressed on. From
the flashes of the missiles it looked like day light, he immediately descended down
to tree top level and employing tactics to evade the danger exited the scene at high
speed. The courageous crew managed to return safely to Peshawar.

7. Next mission, when Basit was strapped up in the cockpit of a B-57, getting ready
for another bombing mission to Adampur Sqn. Ldr Altaf Hussain GE, climbed up the
ladder and told him that he had been awarded with coveted SJ for his last night’s
heroics.
Citation of Gallantry Award: “Squadron Leader Abdul Basit was detailed on an air
mission against the IAF Base at Halwara on the night of December 10/11, 1971. He flew the
mission as planned. While a few minutes short of the target four surface-to-air missiles were
fired at his B-57 aircraft.He displayed great courage, skill and devotion to duty, evaded these
missiles,continued on his missionand successfullyattackedthe target even though there was
all the likelihood of the enemy firing more SAM's. For his courage, determination and
devotion to duty Squadron Leader Abdul Basit has been awarded Sitara-e-Juraat.”
Sqn Ldr Basit flew a total of 8 operational bombing missions deep inside enemy
territory which included strikes on Adampur, Halwara, Pathankot and Sirsa. The Indian
Air Chief in his critique of 1971 war admired the brilliant performance of PAF Bombers

8. operations and for the mission flown on 3rd December 1971 by Basit he wrote, “The
B-57 dropped 8 bombs which made big craters on the runway could not be repaired
by the night and it remained unserviceable for a day”. As regards to Sirsa strike he
wrote, “The PAF B-57 bombing……was enough to make the runway unserviceable for
a day….the bombs dropped had time-delayed fuses and they kept on exploding at
intervals till dawn, delaying clearance and repair work.”
Career till retirement: After the war, Basit remained on various command and staff
appointments which included command of No 2 and No 7 squadrons, prestigious
command of PAF Base Malir and Mianwali. He was also the proud member of the PAF
team which in 1972 proceeded to China for evaluating a Chinese Bomber ‘Type 6’
aircraft. He went on deputation to Libya for a period of two years where he performed
the prestigious job of training the Libyan air force pilots. Basit is the proud graduate of
National Defence College. In last leg of his service, he became the Air Secretary at
AHQ and remained on this appointment for three long years till his glorious air force
career. In 1987 he was on the request of AVM Akhtar sent on deputation to CAA as
Director Administration and from there took over the duties of Chief Inspector till 15

9. Dec 1993. During his tenure as C.I. he computerized the pilot examination and
Licencing system. After retirement, charm of flying did not keep Basit away from flying,
during service he flew from gliders to supersonic aircraft and helicopter, and soon as
he joined CAA he flew turbo prop and twin engines aircraft. Later he joined Shaheen
airline, and got his license for commercial jets as Captain.
Family details: Basit married Shahina on 3 November 1963. Mrs Basit is an epitome of
love and humility for the family. She as a full time homemaker stood by him during all these
eventful years of his association with PAF. She raised the children with utmost devotion and
left no stone unturned in making them useful members of the society.
The couple has been blessed with five adorable children. Eldest Brig.Imran born on 9
August 1964 is an eye specialist, serving at CMH Rawalpindi. He is followed by twin sisters
Sumra and Saima born on 26 January 1966. Muneeza born on 21 December 1968 married
Brig. Sohail, an orthopedic surgeon serving at CMH Lahore. Youngest Saira born on 1 April
1970 married Ghulam Rabbani. Saimas husband Sqn. Ldr. (Retd) Irfan Elahi is presently
Chairman Planning and Development for Punjab. Air Commodore Basit is presently passing a
peaceful, honorable and satisfied life along with his children and grand-children in Lahore.
After retirement he continued his interest in sports golfing and learnt Wind Surfing .