ISLAMABAD – Air Commodore (R) Muhammad Mahmood Alam, Sitara-i-Jur’at (with Bar), a veteran of 1965 and 1971 wars and renowned ace pilot of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) breathed his last at PNS Shifa Hospital after prolonged illness in Karachi today. He was 78.
PAF Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt expressed grief over the sad demise of the iconic legend and national hero.
“Any chronicles of the World Aviation Hall of Fame or accomplishments of Pakistan Air Force would be incomplete without the mention of Air Commodore (R) MM Alam,” Butt said.
A daring fighter pilot, war hero and a scholar par excellence, MM Alam was a role model not only for the PAF airmen but also for Muslims across the world.
MM Alam was born on July, 6 1935 in a well educated family of Calcutta, British India. After completing his secondary education from Government High School Dhaka in 1951, MM Alam joined PAF in 1952 and was granted commission on October 2, 1953.
During his career, Alam underwent many courses including Fighter Conversion Course, F-86F Familiarisation Course, Fighter Leader Course, PAF Staff College Course, Orientation Training Course-USA and Royal College of Defence Studies Course – UK.
His major appointments included air gunnery and tactical instructor at fighter leader school, commanding officer of No 11, No 5 and No 26 squadrons, operation research director, assistant chief of the air staff (flight safety) and assistant chief of the air staff (plans) at Air Headquarters. He also served in Syria on deputation.
During the Indo-Pak war of 1965, Leader of No 11 Squadron MM Alam shot down 2 and damaged 3 Indian Air Force aircrafts on September 6, 1965.
On September 7, 1965, MM Alam rewrote the history of air warfare by setting new records while defending Pakistani Airspace against the aggressors. He shot down five Hawker Hunter fighters of the Indian Air Force in less than sixty seconds, the first four within a span of 30 seconds only, in an air-to-air combat. This act of outstanding bravery and heroism, earned him the Sitara-i-Jur’at (with Bar). Government of Pakistan also paid him a befitting tribute by naming one of the most prominent roads in Lahore after him.
His funeral prayers would be offered at PAF Base Masroor, Karachi at 5 pm today. He would be buried with full military honours at PAF graveyard in Masroor Air Base.