Ghani Akbar

Squadron Leader (R) Ghani Akbar SJ (Urdu: غاني أكبر), is a retired fighter pilot with the Pakistan Air Force and recipient of Pakistan's third highest military award, the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Valour).

He is best known for his exceptional performance as a fighter pilot during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War.

Early life Ghani Akbar was born in a small Pashtun village in Nowshera, prior to the creation of Pakistan. Growing up he participated in the Pakistan Movement, and was a firsthand witness to the violence between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims during the partition of India.

In 1958, Akbar applied to the Inter Services Selection Board and was accepted into the Pakistan Air Force Academy for training as a fighter pilot. thumb Strike team of Pathankot airfield - Flt Lt Ghani Akbar (sitting 1st from right) with Sqn Ldr Sajad Haider (standing 2nd from left) and other members of No. 19 sqn (1965)Ghani Akbar (who at the time was a Flight Lieutenant) was flying in the eighth position, and was therefore the last man to drop his bombs over the airbase. However, upon dropping his payload he was unsatisfied with the damage he had inflicted, and spotted multiple other IAF targets still intact. left An artist's rendition of a Ghani Akbar during the PAF raid at Pathankot in India. Medal on the left is the Sitara-e-Jurat, medal on the right is Sitara-e-Harb 1965. Akbar doubled back, and despite being ordered to retreat by his commanding officers, he initiated a second attack, and proceeded to destroy another IAF MiG-21 aircraft. Upon completing his second attack, Akbar realized he was extremely low on fuel and would be unable to reach Peshawar in time to land safely. Fearing that he would have to eject over Indian territory, Akbar swiftly retreated, and despite facing heavy anti-air fire and low visibility due to smog, he successfully landed at a PAF Base in Sargodha.

Awards and decorations

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

1965 WarTamgha-e-Jang 1971 War (War Medal 1971)Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War (War Star 1971)Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal)Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)