Thread by @VinodDX9

Debunking Fantasy created around MM Alam

PAF Squadron Leader MM Alam (11 Sqn) is claimed by Pakistan to be only Ace of the continent who shot down five IAF Hunters over Sargodha in a matter of minutes four of which he shot down in a mere thirty seconds.

But there are problems

On 7 Sep, 1965 #IAF conducted six daring strikes against PAF stronghold Sargodha. The mission ended into a success with a heavy blow to PAF which they couldn't recover in that war. IAF lost five aircrafts but Pakistan claimed 10 and tried to fantacise as a deceive victory.

The strike packages were consisted of Hunters and Mystere. It was Strike no 4 (Hunters, Squadron 7) which PAF claim MM Alam got his golden chance.

Squadron Leader MM Alam's claim was penned by John Fricker who was hired by Pakistan for propaganda purpose publication "Battle for Pakistan"

Pakistan later released the names of five IAF pilots who were claimed to be shot down by Alam. But they made a big mistake. Pakistan version claimed Alam faced Strike no 4. While the pilots mentioned were from different strikes no !

MM Alam himself said the first encounter resulted a mis fire of Sidewinder and second he couldn't see striking. No way (different place) Hunter of Sqn Ldr Onkar Nath Kacker was his victim (mechanical failure).

Squadron Leader A. B. Devayya ,MVC was claimed to be one victim of S/L Alam first. But later after realising blunder the credit was given to F/L Amjad Hussein

Just for a note, S/L Devayya (Strike No. 1) was flying a Mystere and shot down F-104 of Amjad , but he went down with his damaged plane as well. Later in hurry to cover up this PAF stated something which contradicted account of Fricker !

Flt. Lt. Babul Guha (Strike 6) , who was flying a Mystere was shot down by a PAF F-86. Initially it was claimed that he was another victim of said Sqn. Ldr. Alam , now the credit is given to Flt Lt AH Malik.

Sqn. Ldr. S.B. Bhagwat and Flg. Officer J.S. Brar (Strike No 4) were flying Hunters and were shot down by Sidewinders , and without any solid evidence credit is given to again Sqd. Ldr. Alam.

PAF Wg Cdr. Iqbal tried to solidify Alam's claim but unintentionally stated almost everything contradicting to Alam's statement. Thus instead of helping if inadvertently damaged to the claim.

Infact though Fricker wrote in favor of PAF, his statement too contradicted Alam's statement. Not only that he also mentioned many PAF pilots that day claimed victory of five or even more !

Phew ...

Fricker presented a wrong list of #IAF pilots , supposed victims of Alam's superior skills. But to his surprise, timing of raids and types of aircrafts flown was pointed out debunking him

Later Fricker admitted his mistakes . He
assumed only two victims were Sqd Ldr Bhagwat and Flg Offcr Brar .

Now here comes a funny turn. According to Alam none of the Hunter pilots he encountered could eben eject, so they should be dead. And according to this logic W/C Zachariah, F/L Lamba and F/L Sinha - these three pilots who were later promoted (two) were "dead" during the battle !

Wg Cdr Zachariah was alive and settled in England .This fact PAF pilots came to know in 1967 when MM Sinha told he truth to the Pakistani pilots who went to Joint Services Staff College , England . Sinha explained the battle and facts stunned the Pakistani counterparts.

To hide blunder they did related to S/L Devayya , a Mystere pilot S/L Rawlley was made a victim . Later the false claim was debunked as usual.

In fact many Pakistani pilots later claimed their victory was attributed to Alam . Initially everything was alright, but Alam soon will start realise his empire crippling down.

Not more than two wreckages of IAF planes were found by them, gun camera evidence couldn't prove Alam's claim with certainty and no other evidences were presented, still he was given the ACE credit.

MM Alam soon will find himself at the wrath of PAF , and would made inactive during the 1971 war, and very soon he will find he is out of the very air force.

End of the hype.

Thanks- Bharat Rakshak

Here is a thread on debunking myths of victories by MM Alam , please check
@livefist @ShivAroor

Please check the thread @joe_sameer @zone5aviation

A thread debunking claims made by MM Alam @VishnuNDTV

debunking MM Alam myths @rajatpTOI