K & P

PAF chief led airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan

PAF chief Air Marshal Sohail Aman flew an F-16 into Shawal and bombed militant hideouts

Web Desk August 21, 2015

Air Chief Air Marshal Sohail Aman getting ready to fly his F-16. PHOTO: INP

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman on Tuesday led a an air raid as Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan entered a critical phase.

The air chief spearheaded a formation of fighter aircraft which took off from a forward operating base and participated in a mission where they bombed militant hideouts and their depots of explosives, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to pictures released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Aman flew an F-16 (A).

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman goes over charts with fellow pilots ahead of leading an air raid in North Waziristan. PHOTO: INP

Read: Day 4: At least 10 terrorists killed in Shawal air blitz

On the occasion, Aman also met the air and ground crew and applauded them for their service.

PAF Chief Air Marshal Sohail Aman along with PAF fighter and ground crews in front of the F-16 he flew. PHOTO: INP

Read: 40 militants killed in Shawal airstrikes: ISPR

On Tuesday, 18 suspected militants were killed as Pakistan Air Force jets bombed hideouts of terrorists.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations, the air strikes were carried out in Shawal area of North Waziristan.

COMMENTS (19)

Imtiaz | 8 years ago | Reply For those saying he is putting an asset of the PAF ( himself ) in harms way, he is operating into places almost non hostile for an air operations the absolute maximum he could face is some AA guns which are quiet ineffective. so no he is not putting himself in harms way. if you are worried about this , you should know that our Air Marshals had flown successful missions in actual war time ( I know remember if it was 1971 or 1965 ) For people saying he is doing a great brave thing again the zones are mostly non hostile i don't think they even have shoulder mounted Anti Aircraft missiles there. He is only trying to inspire the PAF and in extension the whole of Pakistan showing us that even at that level he is an active soldier. I mean why else would he him self want to do this when he has hundreds of pilots at his disposal for this.

sabir jutt | 8 years ago | Reply Good

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Ikramullah Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Wasif you said that it is not necessary for ACM to fly F16 himself. You are right that he got the force of highly trained pilots but when the leader himself leads the attack it gives boost to the younger officers. You give them new JOSH & JAZBA. My friend you can't totally really on the technology. You must have emotions and encouragement from your seniors so that you can give your best.

asif | 8 years ago | Reply Leading from the front is nt the only dimension, for a commander it is more important that morale of his undercommand troops remain high and nothing can be more morale boosting then setting the example by , risking your life just to make other realise that the cause of saving motherland is beyond individuals it has remained the traditions of Paf(likes of sqn ldr sarfaraz rafiqui sqn commander who raided halwara)

Arshad | 8 years ago | Reply Great example. Fighting against internal terrorists is more difficult than fighting against a declared enemy country. Now it looks Pakistan is serious. Terrorism will die off now. Bravo Chief. More power to you.

Liberal | 8 years ago | Reply @pk: The neighboring air chief can learn a lesson or two from him, don't you think?

straightshooter | 8 years ago | Reply @wasif m khan: I think the message was clear...No Babus in the PAF. Gentlemen, officers;soldiers foremost.

Shah | 8 years ago | Reply He flew F16 A i.e single seater. He does not fly JF17 as it is a new aircraft for which he will require conversion course. He is has flown F 16 most of his flying career in the PAF, however he commanded a mirage squadron.

pk | 8 years ago | Reply Well done. Keep bombing own territory where you are sure that other side can't harm you..

NoneOfYourBeesWax | 8 years ago | Reply @Sad but true: So you are tremendously ignorant and didn't shy away from showing it. You think Pakistan is an Arab country, part of middle-east? Stupid is as stupid does so please save your attempt at snide remarks for the news sites where your types throng.

AHS | 8 years ago | Reply Just a photo opportunity , this guy should be commanding on the ground not in the Air what would happen in case he got shoot down or plane malfunction ?

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply @Sad but true: You know what else is sad but true.. your mother dropping you as a baby.

My Boy | 8 years ago | Reply @Salman He only flies dual seaters...JF-17 is single seat. And Chief fly's in rear seat. It is sort of a joyride...

Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Bombing a place which is inside your territory (for whatever may reason be) isn't something one should be proud of. This is a very Nonsense and Unnecessarily publicity stunt which may hurt the feelings of the locals.

Ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply Salute to the great flyer, a leader leading by example....

Sad but true | 8 years ago | Reply Why do Arabs like to bomb their land and kill people?

Salman | 8 years ago | Reply He doesn't like to fly in JF-17?

FF | 8 years ago | Reply Wasif, In Pakistan we ask that our leaders lead by example. He is doing exactly that. Risking his life to show Pakistan how the military is not all talk and is actually going to lay their lives down to rid the country of terrorist elements. Please save your comments for the Times of India website and focus on how the PM of India could have overseen a genocide in his previous role in Gujrat. Cheers.

wasif m khan | 8 years ago | Reply Inspiring, but also somewhat silly and quite unnecessary. He isn't exactly a chinioti seth who must do everything himself and not trust anyone. He leads a well trained and decently equipped force and his job has many other complex dimensions rather than his flyong around killing bandits like John Wayne of Hollywood fame.

Replying to X