Alam House

Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmud Alam emerged from 1965 War as Pakistan's top scoring fighter ace. As a Squadron Commander of No 11 Squadron in 1965, he was already a notable leader and highly experienced pilot. He also excelled in gunnery competition as a skill that without a doubt contributed greatly to his becoming the first and the only jet ace in one mission. During this war, he was involved in various dogfights while flying his F-86 Sabre fighter. He shot down nine Indian aircraft in air-to-air combat, including six Hawker Hunter fighters. In one mission on 7 September 1965, Alam downed five Indian aircraft in less than a minute, the first four within 30 seconds, establishing a world record, with total of nine aircraft downed in the war. For his exceptionally good performance during the war, he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurrat with Bar

Halifax Role in PAF Soon after independence, 8 Handley page Halifax bombers were acquired by the Pakistan Air Force in 1949. These aircrafts carried out some vital supply dropping operations at night, in the northern areas of Pakistan, especially at Skardu. These night missions were indispensable to the Kashmir War because the area was within the range of Indian fighters, which precluded day operations. It had a loaded weight 55000 lbs. The aircraft served in No. 12 Squadron for bomber and transport missions. The Halifax was phased out in 1954.