Page 314 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

introduced into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir beyond what
was agreed during the 1949 ceasefire. Despite this, the IAF was able to

prevent the PAF from gaining air superiority over conflict zones.

89. After the 1965 war, the IAF underwent a series of changes to improve

its capabilities. In 1966, the Para Commandos regiment was created. To
increase its logistics supply and rescue operations ability, the IAF

inducted 72 HS 748s which were built by Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) under license from Avro. India started to put more stress

on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. As a result, HAL HF-24

Marut, designed by the famed German aerospace engineer Kurt Tank,
was inducted into the Air Force. HAL also started developing an

improved version of the Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet. At the

same time, the IAF also started inducting Mach 2 capable Soviet MiG-
21 and Sukhoi Su-7 fighters.

1971 Operations

90. By late 1971, the intensification of the independence movement in

erstwhile East Pakistan led to the Bangladesh Liberation War between

India and Pakistan. On 22 November 1971, 10 days before the start of a
full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and Mukti

Bahini positions at Garibpur, near the international border. Two of the
four PAF Sabres were shot down and one damaged by the IAF’s Folland

Gnats. On 3 December, India formally declared war against Pakistan

following massive preemptive strikes by the PAF against Indian Air
Force installations in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur.

However, the IAF did not suffer significantly because the leadership had
anticipated such a move and precautions were taken. The Indian Air

Force was quick to respond to Pakistani air strikes, following which the

PAF carried out mostly defensive sorties.

1984 Operation Meghdoot

91. In 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot to capture the Siachen