Page 313 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

avail. On 18 December, two waves of Canberra bombers bombed the
runway of Dabolim airfield taking care not to bomb the terminals and

the ATC tower. Two Portuguese transport aircraft (a Super Constellation

and a DC-6) found on the airfield were left alone so that they could be
captured intact. However, the Portuguese pilots managed to take off in

the aircraft from the still damaged airfield and made their getaway to
Portugal.

1962 Sino-Indian Conflict

86. In 1962, border disagreements between China and India escalated to a

war when China mobilised its troops across the Indian border. During

the Sino-Indian War, India’s military planners failed to deploy and
effectively use the IAF against the invading Chinese forces. This

resulted in India losing a significant amount of advantage to the
Chinese; especially in Jammu and Kashmir.

1965 Indo-Pak Conflict
87. Three years after the Sino-Indian conflict, in 1965, Pakistan launched

Operation Gibraltar, a surprise invasion into India, which came to be

known as the Second Kashmir War. This was the first time the IAF
actively engaged an enemy air force. However, instead of providing

close air support to the Indian Army, the IAF carried out independent

raids against PAF bases. These bases were situated deep inside Pakistani
territory, making IAF fighters vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. During the

course of the conflict, the PAF enjoyed technological superiority over

the IAF and had achieved substantial strategic and tactical advantage
due to their sudden attack.

88. The IAF was restrained by the government from retaliating to PAF

attacks in the eastern sector while a substantial part of its combat force
was deployed there and could not be transferred to the western sector,

against the possibility of Chinese intervention. Moreover, international

(UN) stipulations and norms did not permit military force to be