# Alauddin Ahmed

Squadron Leader Alauddin Ahmed (3 October 1930 — 13 September 1965), known as Butch or Butch Ahmed to his colleagues, was a Pakistan Air Force officer who shot down an IAF Dassault Mystère IV during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 before being Killed in action. Ahmed led his squadron, the No. 18 Squadron Sharp Shooters, in several missions during the war, attacking Indian ground and air forces.
In his book Flight of the Falcon, his colleague Sajad Haider, who was the last person to speak with Butch over the radio before his crash, wrote: "Butch truly never had an enemy; everybody loved Butch, especially the girls from the Burt Institute (an Anglo-Indian club operated by the Railways)."

## Early life

Alauddin Ahmed was born in Dacca on 3 October 1930 into a Bengali family originally from Calcutta. His father, Dr. Tajamal Ahmed SI TI K-i-H, was a well known eye specialist popular in East Pakistan and throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Alauddin received his early education in Dacca and is noted as doing his FSc with flying colours. He was known as an outstanding boxer during his college days and won various medals at district and provincial levels.

## Personal life

Alauddin married Sofia Shireen in a wedding ceremony on 3 November 1955 and had four children, two sons Zafar Ahmed and Jamal Ahmed, and two daughters Yasmeen and Neelofar.

## Air Force career

Ahmed joined the RPAF College in 1951 and was commissioned on 13 June 1952. He was one of several Royal Pakistan Air Force officers sent to Germany for a Jet Transition Course at the German Air Force Officer Training School with Sajad Haider, FS Hussain, and other officers. Ahmed later attended an advanced F-86 Course in the United States.
Upon returning to Pakistan, Ahmed was posted to the No. 11 Squadron PAF which had recently inducted Sabres. Afterwards, he graduated from the Fighter Leaders' School at PAF Station Mauripur with distinction and became an instructor there.

## World record loop

On 2 February 1958, Flight Lieutenant Alauddin Ahmed was part of the 16 F-86 Sabres aerobatic team led by Wg Cdr Mitty Masud that set a world record performing a 16 aircraft diamond loop. Hundreds of thousands of people were in attendance including, President Iskandar Ali Mirza, General Ayub Khan, C-in-C of the PAF Asghar Khan, Air Commodore Nur Khan, C-in-C Turkish Air Force Hamdullah Suphi Göker, Air Chief Iraqi Air Force Abdul Kadhim Abaddi, C-in-C Imperial Iranian Air Force and Chief Guest King of Afghanistan Mohammad Zahir Shah in whose honor the performance had been organized.

### Squadron commander

Alauddin Ahmed was appointed as commander of the No. 18 Squadron PAF in June 1962. Under his leadership, the squadron flew numerous combat missions, achieving significant success against Indian ground and air forces during the 1965 War.
On 6 September 1965, during an offensive fighter sweep near Taran Taran, a town in Amritsar district, Squadron Ahmed led a formation of three Sabre jets. As they approached, he spotted four Indian Hawker Hunter aircraft and immediately informed his commander, Squadron Leader Alam, of the threat. Following Alam's orders, the squadron jettisoned their fuel tanks and prepared for combat. In the ensuing battle, Ahmed's Sabre shot down one of the Hunters, marking his first aerial victory of the war. All four Hunters were eventually destroyed, leaving the three Sabres victorious in the skies.

### Gurdaspur train attack

Squadron Leader Ahmed's final mission took place on 13 September 1965. In the morning, he led a successful attack on enemy tanks and artillery in the Chawinda-Narowal sector, as part of a support mission for Pakistani ground forces. After completing this sortie, he and his squadron returned to base for a brief rest before flying their second operational mission of the day, an armed reconnaissance patrol over the Gurdaspur area.
As the squadron approached Gurdaspur, Ahmedspotted a train in the marshalling yard of the railway station. Upon closer inspection, he identified the train as carrying military supplies, including ammunition. Without hesitation, Ahmed led his formation in a daring attack. The initial assault caused a massive explosion, sending smoke and debris into the sky. Despite the danger posed by the explosion, Ahmed pressed the attack, flying dangerously low to target the remaining wagons. His final attack triggered another massive blast, sending pressure waves that buffeted the Sabres in flight.
During this last sortie, Ahmed's aircraft was struck by flying debris, causing severe damage. He attempted to fly the crippled aircraft back toward Pakistani territory, just 12 miles away, but his cockpit was soon filled with smoke. His last radio transmission was: "My cockpit is full of smoke." His comrades attempted to locate him after he was reported missing, but tragically, Squadron Leader Alauddin Ahmed was killed in action.

## Sitara-e-Jurat

The Sitara-e-Jurat citation reads:
   Sqn Ldr Alauddin Ahmed led his Sqn in twenty combat missions against the Indian ground and air forces. His leadership throughout the operations was cool, courageous and most determined which inspired the greatest confidence amongst pilots of his formations and resulted in destruction of many Indian tanks and vehicles. In his last sortie, he attacked and blew up an important ammunition train at Gurdaspur railhead in complete disregard to his personal safety. During this attack on Sep 13, his aircraft was damaged and was reported missing over enemy territory. Subsequently, it was confirmed that the officer died in this action. For his exemplary leadership, courage, and valour, Sqn Ldr Alauddin Ahmed was awarded SJ.

## Awards and decorations

PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours) :
| Sword of Honour (Pakistan) PAF Academy 1953 ||||
| Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage) (Posthumously) 1965 | Tamgha-e-Qayam-e-Jamhuria (Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956 |