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{{short description|Pakistani cyclist}}
{{short description|Pakistani cyclist and war veteran}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = His Excellency Air Commodore
| honorific_prefix = [[His Excellency]]<br>[[Air Commodore]]
| name             = Imtiaz Ahmed Bhatti
| name         = Imtiaz Ahmed Bhatti
| honorific_suffix = Sitara-i-Jurat, Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Basalat
| honorific_suffix = [[File:Sitara - i -Jurat .png|30px]] <br />  '''[[Sitara-e-Jurat]]'''<br />{{small|[[Sitara-e-Jurat|SJ]]&ensp;&ensp;[[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|SI(M)]]&ensp;&ensp;[[Sitara-e-Basalat|SBt]]}}
| native_name       =  
| native_name   =  
| native_name_lang =  
| native_name_lang =  
| image        =  
| image        =  
| caption      =  
| caption      =  
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1933|4|18|df=yes}}
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1933|4|18|df=yes}}
| death_date    =  
| death_date    =  
| birth_place  = Gujrat, British India
| birth_place  = [[Gujrat, Pakistan|Gujrat]], [[British India]]
| death_place  =  
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| placeofburial =  
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| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| birth_name    =  
| birth_name    =  
| allegiance    = Pakistan
| allegiance    = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]]
| branch        = [[Pakistan Air Force]]
| branch        = {{air force|PAK}}
| serviceyears  = 1953-1988
| serviceyears  = 1953-1988
| rank          = [[Air Commodore]]
| rank          = [[Air Commodore]]
| servicenumber = <!--Do not use data from primary sources such as service records.-->
| servicenumber = '''Pak/3757'''
| unit          = No. 15 Squadron <br/> No. 25 Squadron
| unit          = *[[No. 15 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 15 Squadron]]
| commands      = No. 19 Squadron
| commands      = No. 19 Squadron<br>[[No. 25 Squadron PAF]]
| battles      = [[Indo-Pakistani Air War of 1965]] <br/> [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]]
| battles      = [[Indo-Pakistani Air War of 1965]] <br/> [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]]
| battles_label =  
| battles_label =  
| awards        = [[Sitara-e-Jurat]] <br/> [[Sitara-e-Imtiaz]] <br/> [[Sitara-e-Basalat]]
| awards        = [[File:Sitara-e-Jurat.png|60px]]&ensp;{{small|[[Sitara-e-Jurat]]}}<br>[[File:Sitara-e-Imtiaz.png|60px]]&ensp;{{small|[[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)]]}}<br>[[File:Sitara-e-Basalat.png|60px]]&ensp;{{small|[[Sitara-i-Basalat|Sitara-e-Basalat]]}}
| spouse        = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->  
| spouse        = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->
| relations    =
| relations    =  
| laterwork    =  
| laterwork    =  
| signature    =  
| signature    =  
}}
}}


'''Imtiaz Bhatti''' born (18 April 1933) in Gujrat, British India is a [[cycle sport|cyclist]] and a former Air Force pilot of [[Pakistan]]. He was the Pakistan cycling champion during his student days at Punjab Agriculture College, Lyallpur (now [[University of Agriculture, Faisalabad]]) in late 1940s and early 1950s. He set national cycling records and represented Pakistan in the [[Cycling at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's individual road race|individual]] and [[Cycling at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's team road race|team road race]] events at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] where he was placed 1st among the Asian cyclists and 25th in the world in the 1000 m time trial.<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/bh/imtiaz-bhatti-1.html |title=Imtiaz Bhatti Olympic Results |access-date=30 December 2012 |work=sports-reference.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216131114/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/bh/imtiaz-bhatti-1.html |archive-date=16 December 2012  }}</ref> Bhatti a veteran of the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] flew 34 combat missions, the maximum from Pakistan during the war and is credited with confirmed downing of two Indian planes and damaging a third, besides participating in raids that took out the Amritsar radar and various other air defence and ground support missions.
[[Air Commodore]] '''Imtiaz Bhatti''' {{small|[[Sitara-e-Jurat|SJ]]&ensp;[[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|SI(M)]]&ensp;[[Sitara-e-Basalat|SBt]]}} (born 18 April 1933) in Gujrat, British India, is a [[cycle sport|cyclist]] and a former Air Force pilot of [[Pakistan]]. He was the Pakistan cycling champion during his student days at Punjab Agriculture College, Lyallpur (now [[University of Agriculture, Faisalabad]]) in late 1940s and early 1950s. He set national cycling records and represented Pakistan in the [[Cycling at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's individual road race|individual]] and [[Cycling at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's team road race|team road race]] events at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] where he was placed 1st among the Asian cyclists and 25th in the world in the 1000 m time trial.<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/bh/imtiaz-bhatti-1.html |title=Imtiaz Bhatti Olympic Results |access-date=30 December 2012 |work=sports-reference.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216131114/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/bh/imtiaz-bhatti-1.html |archive-date=16 December 2012  }}</ref> Bhatti a veteran of the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] flew 34 combat missions, the maximum from Pakistan during the war and is credited with confirmed downing of two Indian planes and damaging a third, besides participating in raids that took out the Amritsar radar and various other air defence and ground support missions.


== Career ==
== Career ==
After completing his postgraduate studies at Punjab Agriculture College, he joined the [[Pakistan Air Force]] in 1953, where he was commissioned as an officer and had a distinguished career before retiring as an [[air commodore]] in 1988. Due to his distinguished acts of gallantry, valor and courage shown during war while performing duty and meritorious service, he was awarded with [[Sitara-i-Jurat]], [[Sitara-i-Imtiaz]] (Military) and [[Sitara-i-Basalat]] by the Government of Pakistan and declared a legend by the PAF Falcons and is one of the war heroes to whom tribute is paid on Pakistan Defence Day.<ref>{{cite web |author=APP |url=http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51869 |title=Defence Day celebrated with renewed pledge to defend country &#124; |access-date=16 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065402/http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51869 |archive-date=4 March 2016  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dawn |url=http://archives.dawn.com/archives/144105 |title=Defence Day celebrated &#124; |access-date=16 September 2013}}</ref>
=== Service with the Air Force ===
After completing his [[postgraduate]] studies at Punjab Agriculture College, he joined the [[Pakistan Air Force]] in 1953, where he was commissioned as an officer and had a distinguished career before retiring as an [[air commodore]] in 1988. Due to his distinguished acts of gallantry, valor and courage shown during war while performing duty and meritorious service, he was awarded with [[Sitara-i-Jurat|Sitara-e-Jurat]], [[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|Sitara-e-Imtiaz]] (Military) and [[Sitara-i-Basalat|Sitara-e-Basalat]] by the [[Government of Pakistan]] and declared a legend by the PAF Falcons and is one of the war heroes to whom tribute is paid on Pakistan Defence Day.<ref>{{cite web |author=APP |url=http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51869 |title=Defence Day celebrated with renewed pledge to defend country &#124; |access-date=16 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065402/http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51869 |archive-date=4 March 2016  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dawn |url=http://archives.dawn.com/archives/144105 |title=Defence Day celebrated &#124; |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref>


=== 1965 war ===
==== 1965 war ====
[[File:Indian Air Force vampire wreckage.jpg|thumb|Wreckage of one of the four Indian Vampire aircraft, which were shot down on 1 September 1965]]
On 1 September 1965, Sargodha Airbase was assigned an Air Defence Alert mission. Bhatti who was a flight lieutenant in No. 15 Squadron at Sargodha at that time. After completing his regular duty 0400–1200 hours, he asked to be allowed to continue for another shift. Squadron Leader [[Sarfaraz Rafique]] commander of No. 5 Squadron, accompanied him on the mission, which started around 1700 hours.<ref name="Kaiser Tufail">{{cite book|last=Tufail|first=Kaiser|title=Great Air Battles Of Pakistan Air Force|year=2005|publisher=Ferozsons|isbn=978-9690018922|pages=16–20}}</ref>
On 1 September 1965, Sargodha Airbase was assigned an Air Defence Alert mission. Bhatti who was a flight lieutenant in No. 15 Squadron at Sargodha at that time. After completing his regular duty 0400–1200 hours, he asked to be allowed to continue for another shift. Squadron Leader [[Sarfaraz Rafique]] commander of No. 5 Squadron, accompanied him on the mission, which started around 1700 hours.<ref name="Kaiser Tufail">{{cite book|last=Tufail|first=Kaiser|title=Great Air Battles Of Pakistan Air Force|year=2005|publisher=Ferozsons|isbn=978-9690018922|pages=16–20}}</ref>
On getting airborne, they were directed by the Pakistani radar at Sakesar to the Sialkot-Chamb axis, from where they vectored to Chamb-Jaurian. Once there, the two started visual search not only for the attacking aircraft, but also for the PAF C-in-C, who was reported to be making an on-site assessment of the battle in a T-37. Bhatti first spotted two Vampires crossing 3–4,000 ft underneath and informed S/L Rafique, who immediately went after the two spotted planes. Bhatti, instead of flying as a traditional wingman, broke away and sighted more Indian aircraft. Before he could go after them, he saw two more Vampires that were trying to get into position behind Rafique. He called Rafique to break and himself took care of the other two that were following Rafique.<ref name="Kaiser Tufail"/>
On getting airborne, they were directed by the Pakistani radar at Sakesar to the Sialkot-Chamb axis, from where they vectored to Chamb-Jaurian. Once there, the two started visual search not only for the attacking aircraft, but also for the PAF C-in-C, who was reported to be making an on-site assessment of the battle in a T-37. Bhatti first spotted two Vampires crossing 3–4,000&nbsp;ft underneath and informed S/L Rafique, who immediately went after the two spotted planes. Bhatti, instead of flying as a traditional wingman, broke away and sighted more Indian aircraft. Before he could go after them, he saw two more Vampires that were trying to get into position behind Rafique. He called Rafique to break and himself took care of the other two that were following Rafique.<ref name="Kaiser Tufail"/>


According to the Government of Pakistan citation: "[[Flight Lieutenant]] Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti was one of the two pilots who were on an air patrol when they were directed to intercept enemy aircraft attacking our ground forces in Chamb area. This was the first air encounter of the Indo-Pakistan War. Though heavily outnumbered, [[Flight Lieutenant]] Bhatti fought with exceptional courage and professional skill and shot down two Vampire aircraft in this engagement. This set an inspiring example for others to emulate. For his gallantry, determination and dedication to the Service he is awarded Sitara-i-Jur'at".<ref name="Syed Shabbir Hussain">{{cite book|title=History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982|year=1982|publisher=Kifayat Academy|asin=B0000EDYH0|pages=53, 240, 318|author=Syed Shabbir Hussain}}</ref>
According to the Government of Pakistan citation: "[[Flight Lieutenant]] Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti was one of the two pilots who were on an air patrol when they were directed to intercept enemy aircraft attacking our ground forces in Chamb area. This was the first air encounter of the Indo-Pakistan War. Though heavily outnumbered, [[Flight Lieutenant]] Bhatti fought with exceptional courage and professional skill and shot down two Vampire aircraft in this engagement. This set an inspiring example for others to emulate. For his gallantry, determination and dedication to the Service he is awarded Sitara-i-Jur'at".<ref name="Syed Shabbir Hussain">{{cite book|title=History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982|year=1982|publisher=Kifayat Academy|asin=B0000EDYH0|pages=53, 240, 318|author=Syed Shabbir Hussain}}</ref>
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On 13 September, in an encounter between PAF [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86 Sabres]] from Sargodha and IAF [[Folland Gnat|Gnats]] from No. 2 Squadron,<ref>{{cite book|title=The India-Pakistan air war of 1965|year=2005|publisher= Manohar|isbn=978-81-7304-641-4|pages=240–241|last=Jagan Mohan|first=P.V.S|author2=Chopra, Samir|url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=luJsUsrQDYPD4wTgioCABw}}</ref> an Indian Gnat flown by Flt. Lt. A.N. Kale was shot down by Flt. Lt. Yusaf Ali Khan, although Kale managed to eject safely. The other Gnat, flown by Squadron Leader N. K. Malik, was engaged and damaged in air combat by Flt. Lt. Bhatti. The experienced Malik somehow managed to return to his base, but according to All India Radio the Gnat's pilot later died of wounds sustained during the combat while attempting to land.<ref>{{cite book|title=F-86 Sabre: the operational record|year=1994|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|isbn=9781560985310|page=107|last=Jackson|first=Robert}}</ref> His funeral was attended by the Indian President.<ref>{{cite book|title=Battle for Pakistan: The Air War of 1965|year=1979|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd.|isbn=9780711009295|page=150|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RPttAAAAMAAJ|last=Fricker|first=John}}</ref> Yusaf Ali Khan was credited with a kill, while Bhatti was only credited with damaging a Gnat, despite later confirmation that Malik had died of his wounds and his Gnat had crashed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/India.htm|title=Chronological Listing of Indian Air Force, Naval Air Force and related Losses & Ejections|date=October 2013|access-date=27 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222165653/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/India.htm|archive-date=22 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 13 September, in an encounter between PAF [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86 Sabres]] from Sargodha and IAF [[Folland Gnat|Gnats]] from No. 2 Squadron,<ref>{{cite book|title=The India-Pakistan air war of 1965|year=2005|publisher= Manohar|isbn=978-81-7304-641-4|pages=240–241|last=Jagan Mohan|first=P.V.S|author2=Chopra, Samir|url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=luJsUsrQDYPD4wTgioCABw}}</ref> an Indian Gnat flown by Flt. Lt. A.N. Kale was shot down by Flt. Lt. Yusaf Ali Khan, although Kale managed to eject safely. The other Gnat, flown by Squadron Leader N. K. Malik, was engaged and damaged in air combat by Flt. Lt. Bhatti. The experienced Malik somehow managed to return to his base, but according to All India Radio the Gnat's pilot later died of wounds sustained during the combat while attempting to land.<ref>{{cite book|title=F-86 Sabre: the operational record|year=1994|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|isbn=9781560985310|page=107|last=Jackson|first=Robert}}</ref> His funeral was attended by the Indian President.<ref>{{cite book|title=Battle for Pakistan: The Air War of 1965|year=1979|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd.|isbn=9780711009295|page=150|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RPttAAAAMAAJ|last=Fricker|first=John}}</ref> Yusaf Ali Khan was credited with a kill, while Bhatti was only credited with damaging a Gnat, despite later confirmation that Malik had died of his wounds and his Gnat had crashed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/India.htm|title=Chronological Listing of Indian Air Force, Naval Air Force and related Losses & Ejections|date=October 2013|access-date=27 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222165653/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/India.htm|archive-date=22 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Bhatti, with the rank of [[squadron leader]], commanded the 25th Squadron, equipped with FT-6s, from 1968 to 1970. During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], he served in the 25th Squadron, stationed at Sargodha Airbase. He commanded the 19th Squadron from 1973 to 1974.<ref name="Syed Shabbir Hussain"/>
==== 1971 War ====
After Bhatti was promoted  to the rank of [[squadron leader]], he [[Officer Commanding|commanded]] the [[No. 25 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 25 Squadron]] from 1968 to 1970 flying [[Shenyang F-6#Variants#Shenyang/Tianjin JJ-6|Shenyang FT-6]]s fighter/trainer jets. When [[1971 War|war broke out in 1971]], he kept serving with his Squadron while stationed at [[Sargodha Airbase]].<ref name="Syed Shabbir Hussain"/>


=== Post-Air Force career ===
==== Later Years ====
After leaving PAF, he served as [[Ambassador]] / [[High Commissioner]] of [[Pakistan]] for [[Burundi]], [[Madagascar]], [[Malawi]] and [[Tanzania]] from 1990 until 1992. After returning from his ambassadorial duty, he happily settled in [[Sargodha]], looking after family farmlands in districts [[Jhang]] and [[Sargodha]] concentrating on growing citrus and guava orchards, bamboo and forest plantations besides various food crops.{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}
After the war, Bhatti was given the command of the [[List of Pakistan Air Force Squadrons|No. 19 Squadron]] of PAF, he led the squadron from 1973 to 1974.<ref name="Syed Shabbir Hussain"/>
 
=== Service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ===
{{see also|Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)}}
After leaving PAF, he served as [[Ambassador]] / [[High Commissioner]] of [[Pakistan]] for [[Burundi]], [[Madagascar]], [[Malawi]] and [[Tanzania]] from 1990 until 1992.
 
=== Post Retirement Life ===
After returning from his ambassadorial duty, he happily settled in [[Sargodha]], looking after family farmlands in the districts of [[Jhang District|Jhang]] and [[Sargodha District|Sargodha]] concentrating on growing [[citrus]] and [[guava]] orchards, [[bamboo]] and forest plantations besides various [[food crops]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
 
== Awards and decorations ==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=PAF GDP Red.png|width=250}}
|-
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Jurat.png|width=130}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Basalat.png|width=130}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Diffa.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War Ribbon.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=War Medal 1965(Tamgha-e-Jang, A.H.1385).png|width=130}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Republic Medal 1956 (Pakistan).png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hijri Tamgha.png|width=130}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" |'''[[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]]''' GD(P) Badge '''RED''' (More than '''3000''' Flying Hours)
|-
|'''[[Sitara-e-Jurat]]'''
(''Star of Courage'')
| colspan="2" |'''[[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|Sitara-e-Imtiaz]]'''
'''[[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|(Military)]]'''
 
''(Star of Excellence)''
|'''[[Sitara-e-Basalat]]'''
''(Star of Good Conduct)''
|-
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Tamgha-e-Diffa]]'''
''(General Service Medal)''
 
'''1. [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 War]] Clasp'''
 
'''2. [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 War]] Clasp'''
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War]]'''
''(War Star 1965)''
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War]]'''
''(War Star 1971)''
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War]]'''
''(War Medal 1965)''
|-
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War]]'''
''(War Medal 1971)''
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-]]'''
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam]]'''
 
''(100th Birth Anniversary of''
 
''[[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]])''
 
'''1976'''
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Tamgha-e-Jamhuria]]'''
''(Republic Commemoration Medal)''
 
'''1956'''
|'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Hijri Tamgha]]'''
''(Hijri Medal)''
 
'''1979'''
|}
 
== Sitara-e-Jurat Citation ==
{{see also|Sitara-e-Jurat}}
For his actions in the 1965 war, Bhatti was awarded the '''Sitara-e-Jurat''', which is the third highest [[gallantry award]] of [[Pakistan]].
{{quotation|{{center|'''Flt Lt. Imtiaz Ahmed Bhatti'''<br>
'''[[No. 15 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|15 Squadron]] PAK/3757'''
}}
Flight Lieuteanat Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti was one of the two pilots who were on an air patrol when they were directed to intercept enemy aircraft attacking our ground forces in Chamb area. This was the first air encounter of the Indo-Pakistan War. Though heavily out-numbered, Flight Lieutenant Bhatti fought with exceptional courage and professional skill and shot down two Vampire aircraft in this engagement. This set an inspiring example for others to emulate. For his gallantry, determination and dedication to the Service he was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/heroes/|title=1965 GALLANTRY AWARDS|website=Pakistan Air Force Museum}}</ref>}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:13, 7 November 2022


His Excellency
Air Commodore

Imtiaz Ahmed Bhatti

Sitara - i -Jurat .png
Sitara-e-Jurat
SJ  SI(M)  SBt
Born (1933-04-18) 18 April 1933 (age 92)
Gujrat, British India
AllegiancePakistan Pakistan
Service/branch Pakistan Air Force
Years of service1953-1988
RankAir Commodore
Service numberPak/3757
Unit
Commands heldNo. 19 Squadron
No. 25 Squadron PAF
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani Air War of 1965
Indo-Pakistan War of 1971
AwardsSitara-e-Jurat.png Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Imtiaz.png Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)
Sitara-e-Basalat.png Sitara-e-Basalat

Air Commodore Imtiaz Bhatti SJ SI(M) SBt (born 18 April 1933) in Gujrat, British India, is a cyclist and a former Air Force pilot of Pakistan. He was the Pakistan cycling champion during his student days at Punjab Agriculture College, Lyallpur (now University of Agriculture, Faisalabad) in late 1940s and early 1950s. He set national cycling records and represented Pakistan in the individual and team road race events at the 1952 Summer Olympics where he was placed 1st among the Asian cyclists and 25th in the world in the 1000 m time trial.[1] Bhatti a veteran of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 flew 34 combat missions, the maximum from Pakistan during the war and is credited with confirmed downing of two Indian planes and damaging a third, besides participating in raids that took out the Amritsar radar and various other air defence and ground support missions.

Career

Service with the Air Force

After completing his postgraduate studies at Punjab Agriculture College, he joined the Pakistan Air Force in 1953, where he was commissioned as an officer and had a distinguished career before retiring as an air commodore in 1988. Due to his distinguished acts of gallantry, valor and courage shown during war while performing duty and meritorious service, he was awarded with Sitara-e-Jurat, Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-e-Basalat by the Government of Pakistan and declared a legend by the PAF Falcons and is one of the war heroes to whom tribute is paid on Pakistan Defence Day.[2][3]

1965 war

Wreckage of one of the four Indian Vampire aircraft, which were shot down on 1 September 1965

On 1 September 1965, Sargodha Airbase was assigned an Air Defence Alert mission. Bhatti who was a flight lieutenant in No. 15 Squadron at Sargodha at that time. After completing his regular duty 0400–1200 hours, he asked to be allowed to continue for another shift. Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafique commander of No. 5 Squadron, accompanied him on the mission, which started around 1700 hours.[4] On getting airborne, they were directed by the Pakistani radar at Sakesar to the Sialkot-Chamb axis, from where they vectored to Chamb-Jaurian. Once there, the two started visual search not only for the attacking aircraft, but also for the PAF C-in-C, who was reported to be making an on-site assessment of the battle in a T-37. Bhatti first spotted two Vampires crossing 3–4,000 ft underneath and informed S/L Rafique, who immediately went after the two spotted planes. Bhatti, instead of flying as a traditional wingman, broke away and sighted more Indian aircraft. Before he could go after them, he saw two more Vampires that were trying to get into position behind Rafique. He called Rafique to break and himself took care of the other two that were following Rafique.[4]

According to the Government of Pakistan citation: "Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti was one of the two pilots who were on an air patrol when they were directed to intercept enemy aircraft attacking our ground forces in Chamb area. This was the first air encounter of the Indo-Pakistan War. Though heavily outnumbered, Flight Lieutenant Bhatti fought with exceptional courage and professional skill and shot down two Vampire aircraft in this engagement. This set an inspiring example for others to emulate. For his gallantry, determination and dedication to the Service he is awarded Sitara-i-Jur'at".[5]

On 13 September, in an encounter between PAF F-86 Sabres from Sargodha and IAF Gnats from No. 2 Squadron,[6] an Indian Gnat flown by Flt. Lt. A.N. Kale was shot down by Flt. Lt. Yusaf Ali Khan, although Kale managed to eject safely. The other Gnat, flown by Squadron Leader N. K. Malik, was engaged and damaged in air combat by Flt. Lt. Bhatti. The experienced Malik somehow managed to return to his base, but according to All India Radio the Gnat's pilot later died of wounds sustained during the combat while attempting to land.[7] His funeral was attended by the Indian President.[8] Yusaf Ali Khan was credited with a kill, while Bhatti was only credited with damaging a Gnat, despite later confirmation that Malik had died of his wounds and his Gnat had crashed.[9]

1971 War

After Bhatti was promoted to the rank of squadron leader, he commanded the No. 25 Squadron from 1968 to 1970 flying Shenyang FT-6s fighter/trainer jets. When war broke out in 1971, he kept serving with his Squadron while stationed at Sargodha Airbase.[5]

Later Years

After the war, Bhatti was given the command of the No. 19 Squadron of PAF, he led the squadron from 1973 to 1974.[5]

Service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

See also: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)

After leaving PAF, he served as Ambassador / High Commissioner of Pakistan for Burundi, Madagascar, Malawi and Tanzania from 1990 until 1992.

Post Retirement Life

After returning from his ambassadorial duty, he happily settled in Sargodha, looking after family farmlands in the districts of Jhang and Sargodha concentrating on growing citrus and guava orchards, bamboo and forest plantations besides various food crops.[citation needed]

Awards and decorations

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PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours)
Sitara-e-Jurat

(Star of Courage)

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Star of Excellence)

Sitara-e-Basalat

(Star of Good Conduct)

Tamgha-e-Diffa

(General Service Medal)

1. 1965 War Clasp

2. 1971 War Clasp

Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War

(War Star 1965)

Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War

(War Star 1971)

Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War

(War Medal 1965)

Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War

(War Medal 1971)

Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-

Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam

(100th Birth Anniversary of

Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

1976

Tamgha-e-Jamhuria

(Republic Commemoration Medal)

1956

Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

Sitara-e-Jurat Citation

See also: Sitara-e-Jurat

For his actions in the 1965 war, Bhatti was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat, which is the third highest gallantry award of Pakistan.

Flt Lt. Imtiaz Ahmed Bhatti

15 Squadron PAK/3757

Flight Lieuteanat Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti was one of the two pilots who were on an air patrol when they were directed to intercept enemy aircraft attacking our ground forces in Chamb area. This was the first air encounter of the Indo-Pakistan War. Though heavily out-numbered, Flight Lieutenant Bhatti fought with exceptional courage and professional skill and shot down two Vampire aircraft in this engagement. This set an inspiring example for others to emulate. For his gallantry, determination and dedication to the Service he was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Imtiaz Bhatti Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  2. ↑ APP. "Defence Day celebrated with renewed pledge to defend country |". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  3. ↑ Dawn. "Defence Day celebrated |". Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Tufail, Kaiser (2005). Great Air Battles Of Pakistan Air Force. Ferozsons. pp. 16–20. ISBN 978-9690018922.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Syed Shabbir Hussain (1982). History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982. Kifayat Academy. pp. 53, 240, 318. ASIN B0000EDYH0.
  6. ↑ Jagan Mohan, P.V.S; Chopra, Samir (2005). The India-Pakistan air war of 1965. Manohar. pp. 240–241. ISBN 978-81-7304-641-4.
  7. ↑ Jackson, Robert (1994). F-86 Sabre: the operational record. Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 107. ISBN 9781560985310.
  8. ↑ Fricker, John (1979). Battle for Pakistan: The Air War of 1965. Ian Allan Ltd. p. 150. ISBN 9780711009295.
  9. ↑ "Chronological Listing of Indian Air Force, Naval Air Force and related Losses & Ejections". October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  10. ↑ "1965 GALLANTRY AWARDS". Pakistan Air Force Museum.

External links

Template:Recipients of Sitara-e-Jurat

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