Sqn. Ldr. Arif Manzoor S. J., Shaheed
Sqn Ldr Arif Manzoor, SJ, TBt. (15th Oct 1940-12th June 1974). was born in a respected family of Banaras, India where his father Manzoor Ahmad Khan was a District and Session judge of high repute. At the time of creation of Pakistan, his family migrated to Karachi, Pakistan. Tall, lean and handsome Arif joined Lawrence College Murree and attained his Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1958. Arif Manzoor was a gifted athlete, winning several medals for high jumps, pole vault, hockey and cross country races. With a dream of become a fighter pilot, Arif joined PAF Academy Risalpur in 1959. He was one of the top cadets of his course and was selected for Advances Flying Training Course at USA. On return he joined the elite No 17 Sqn and flew Sabres for a couple of years. With the induction of F-104 Star Fighter in PAF, Arif was among the pioneering few to join the elite club of Mach Busters. He served PAF’s one of the oldest No 9 Sqn for four long years at a stretch and fought the 1965 war from the same unit. Flt Lt Arif Manzoor was serving the elite No 9 Sqn when the war broke out in 1965. He flew numerous CAP missions on supersonic Star Fighter and close support missions in Wagah, Chamb and Philora Sector. Arif Manzoor was deployed with the lone No 5 Mirage Sqn of PAF. The Bulk of the Sqn was deployed at its parent Base, Sargodha. A detachment of six aircraft, led by Sqn Ldr Farooq F Khan, was moved to the deep located satellite Base of Mianwali for providing night interceptions. Arif Manzoor remained at Sargodha and participated in variety of strike and reconnaissance mission during the War. Sqn Ldr Arif Manzoor being the senior member of the Sqn led number of strike mission against targets like Pathankot and Avantipura. He flew consecutive strike missions in the opening round of the War of 3, 4 and 5 of Dec 1971. He continued with the airfield strikes, flying for five more days. Sqn Ldr Arif Manzoor went to Syria in the last week of Oct 1973 in the capacity of the Head of the Air Force Group and he continued to shine in Syria as well. He was posted to No 67 Sqn, ‘Alpha’ Detachment (all PAF) when the Arab-Israel War broke out in Dec 1973. He was the leader of the formation which destroyed an Israeli Air Craft on 19 Dec 1973 . It was a rare feat, which shot him to international fame. Government of Syria in recognition of his services to their country awarded him with the highest gallantry award. The Great Warrior, the veteran of two Wars attained shahadat on 12th June 1974, while training a young Syrian Fighter pilot. He was given the heroes farewell at his service funeral.
Sqn. Ldr. Arif Manzoor S. J., Shaheed
Sqn Ldr Arif Manzoor, SJ, TBt. (15th Oct 1940-12th June 1974). was born in a respected family of Banaras, India where his father Manzoor Ahmad Khan was a District and Session judge of high repute. At the time of creation of Pakistan, his family migrated to Karachi, Pakistan. Tall, lean and handsome Arif joined Lawrence College Murree and attained his Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1958. Arif Manzoor was a gifted athlete, winning several medals for high jumps, pole vault, hockey and cross country races. With a dream of become a fighter pilot, Arif joined PAF Academy Risalpur in 1959. He was one of the top cadets of his course and was selected for Advances Flying Training Course at USA. On return he joined the elite No 17 Sqn and flew Sabres for a couple of years. With the induction of F-104 Star Fighter in PAF, Arif was among the pioneering few to join the elite club of Mach Busters. He served PAF’s one of the oldest No 9 Sqn for four long years at a stretch and fought the 1965 war from the same unit. Flt Lt Arif Manzoor was serving the elite No 9 Sqn when the war broke out in 1965. He flew numerous CAP missions on supersonic Star Fighter and close support missions in Wagah, Chamb and Philora Sector. Arif Manzoor was deployed with the lone No 5 Mirage Sqn of PAF. The Bulk of the Sqn was deployed at its parent Base, Sargodha. A detachment of six aircraft, led by Sqn Ldr Farooq F Khan, was moved to the deep located satellite Base of Mianwali for providing night interceptions. Arif Manzoor remained at Sargodha and participated in variety of strike and reconnaissance mission during the War. Sqn Ldr Arif Manzoor being the senior member of the Sqn led number of strike mission against targets like Pathankot and Avantipura. He flew consecutive strike missions in the opening round of the War of 3, 4 and 5 of Dec 1971. He continued with the airfield strikes, flying for five more days. Sqn Ldr Arif Manzoor went to Syria in the last week of Oct 1973 in the capacity of the Head of the Air Force Group and he continued to shine in Syria as well. He was posted to No 67 Sqn, ‘Alpha’ Detachment (all PAF) when the Arab-Israel War broke out in Dec 1973. He was the leader of the formation which destroyed an Israeli Air Craft on 19 Dec 1973 . It was a rare feat, which shot him to international fame. Government of Syria in recognition of his services to their country awarded him with the highest gallantry award. The Great Warrior, the veteran of two Wars attained shahadat on 12th June 1974, while training a young Syrian Fighter pilot. He was given the heroes farewell at his service funeral.