While the IAF provided excellent air support to the Army in the West, it established complete air superiority in the East which facilitated the advance of Indian ground troops and helped in the famous para-drop over Tangail and Meghna heliborne operations. The attack on the Governor’s residence served as the last nail in the coffin of the Pak armed forces in the East. General AAK Niazi had no option but to surrender along with 93000 soldiers. This was the biggest such surrender after the second World War.  The IAF pilots covered themselves with glory and a number of them won gallantry awards. The nation is proud of them and is celebrating “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” this year.  This book is a humble tribute to the bravery and valour of Air Warriors who participated in this war. It carries first hand experiences of some of them. We thank them all for recording an important piece of the IAF history for posterity. It is hoped that this book will serve as a reference point for future generations, Air Warriors and researchers of Air Warfare.

Veteran Air Marshal Jagjeet Singh was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering Branch on 03 January 1977 after obtaining his BE Electrical degree from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. He is a Postgraduate in Electrical Engineering and also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management. He served for 39 years in the IAF and superannuated on 31 December 2015. He has been the Senior Vice President of AFA from 01 Jan 2017 onwards.

Veteran Gp Capt Shailendra Mohan was commissioned in the Equipment (now Logistics) Branch on 23 December 1964. He is an MA in Literature and MSc in Defence Studies. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College. He has served as Senior Logistics Officer of three operational bases and as Dy CLMO of HQ WAC. He retired as Director of Mechanical Transport at Air HQ. He was awarded commendations by AOA and CAS. Presently, he is the editor of

AFA Magazine (Eagle’s Eye).