AFVOA Newsletter 03 of 2020

Section 4 – War Diary CV 2 No. 03 / 2020 Page 45 of 167 4 Participation in 1971 Indo-Pak War Gp Capt L V Mohandas Genre: War Diary was posted at Air Force Station, Pathankot months before the Indo-Pak War of 1971 as a Met Officer. We had Hunter, Mystere, Gnat squadrons at the station carrying out flying tasks. Apart from these aircraft, we had Packet squadron detachment carrying out forward area supply tasks to Leh, Thoise, Fuckche. We were a total of two Met officers to cater for weather forecast manning round the clock (the other was Senior Met Officer who became my father.in.law, later). With the advancement of time, flying tasks including night flying increased by leaps and bounds. Various exercises were conducted. In the month of October 1971, there was an emergency message from Wireless Experimental Unit about the likely para drop air attack by PAK that day. Immediate evacuation of all aircraft was ordered by Air Headquarters to other airbases. All squadrons were asked to move out in next 3 hours. Imagine the state of panic with over 70 aircraft ready to roll out. As they were taxing out, unseasonal sudden dust stormwas approaching the station and I had to advice the squadrons to hold position for next 1-2 hours. In the melee I was advised to lift the weather warning to facilitate take off which I declined. Later I became the blue eyed boy of the squadrons due to my professional capability. They subsequently took off and landed safely at Ambala. None knew what the next activity was. Station was gearing up to face any attack with Gnat aircraft giving CAP (Combat Air Patrol) cover from dawn to dusk (as they could give cover only during the day). All squadron aircraft returned to base after a month. Whole station was preparing for the war. On 3 rd December, immediately after dusk, Pakistan ventured and Sabre jets attacked. They had the advantage of the valley, leading to the airfield undetected by our radars due to shadow zone. The formation missed our runway and attacked our No.2 Officers Mess where 20 Squadron crew were staying next to my room. Since we were all in our respective locations, only our rooms with our belongings were destroyed. Subsequently all of us moved out to No.1 Officers Mess away from the runway. War began and wave after wave, they tried to attack the airfield. During the entire period of war till the declaration of cease fire, there were over 230 air-raids by Pakistan but not once they I