KARACHI: Air Commodore (Retd) Sattar Alvi, a renowned war veteran of 1974Arab-Israel war was honoured today in a ceremony held in Air Museum. Heshot down an Israeli Air Force Mirage aircraft during an aerial combat inSyria. In this ceremony he presented flying coverall (suit) of deceasedIsraeli pilot (Capt Lutz) to PAF Museum.[image: an image]
Addressing on the occasion, the Air Chief said that our enemies are joininghands together in hatching conspiracies against Pakistan but they willalways fail. This is the ideological state made in the name of Allah andnobody dare to cast an evil eye on it. PAF together with sister servicesand the nation would thwart their nefarious designs and they would meet thesame fate as always, Insha Allah.
“PAF stands ever ready for the aerial defence of motherland on the strengthof supreme sacrifices and professionalism of its valiant predecessors whopaved the path of glory for this elite organization”.
The Air Chief paid rich tribute to Air Commodore Sattar Alvi (Retd) andsaid that the heroics of the legendary fighter pilot not only broughtlaurels to PAF but were also a source of pride for the entire nation. Hetermed the flying coverall of the deceased Israeli pilot as a ‘War Trophy’and was of the opinion that it was a valuable addition to the historicarchive of PAF Museum.
Lauding Group Captain Hussaini’s art, the Air Chief said that hisworld-renowned aviation paintings manifest his earnest efforts towardspreserving PAF’s accounts of professionalism, journey towards progress andsupreme sacrifices made by our heroes for defence of the country.
He further added that the illustrious history of PAF depicted by GroupCaptain Hussaini would be a source of inspiration for the future generationand instill in them the spirit of nationhood.
Air Commodore (Retd) Sattar Alvi is a celebrated fighter pilot of PAF whosinglehandedly shot down the Israeli mirage aircraft while flying a vintageSyrian Air Force Mig-21 aircraft, during 1974 Arab Israel war, and thusbecame the one and only pilot in the history with this rare feat. On thisact of gallantry, he was awarded with Sitar-e-Jura’t by Government ofPakistan, and Wisaam Faris and Wisaam Shujaat by Government of Syria.
Governor Sindh Mohammad Zubair, who was the chief guest at this historicoccasion, was received by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the AirStaff.
Governor Sindh also inaugurated the “Aviation Paintings Exhibition” withthe theme “Pakistan Air Force – Defenders of Aerial Frontiers”. More than300 pieces of Aviation Art painted by internationally acclaimed aviationartist of PAF, Group Captain (Retd) Hussaini, would be on display for thegeneral public.
Addressing at the occasion, Governor Sind said, “The nation must know thehistory and the contribution of the great heroes and we must acknowledgetheir courage towards this noble cause of bringing honours to the country.In 1967 and 1973 Arab- Israel wars, our air force had participated withvalour and I am honoured to be here to recognize our heroes like AirCommodore Alvi who bravely fought and shot down the Israel air forceaircraft. My special felicitations to Group Captain Hussaini for capturingthe great history of Pakistan. It’s not just service to Pakistan Air Forcebut also for our country and future generations, who would be able to seethe history as you have captured it brilliantly”.
Senior retired & serving officers of PAF, families of shuhuda, war veteransand prominent artists of Karachi also attended the ceremony. The exhibitionwill remain open for the general public till January 23.