The Falcon’s Glory – M. M. Alam’s Legendary Dogfight
Scene 1: The Night Before
Location: Officers' Quarters, PAF Base Sargodha | Date: September 6, 1965 | Time: 10:45 PM
The room was dimly lit, the only sound the distant murmur of engines being checked at the hangars. Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam sat at a wooden desk, flipping through aircraft performance logs.
A knock.
Flight Lieutenant Khalid entered with a cup of chai.
"You're not sleeping?" Khalid asked.
"Not tonight," Alam replied, eyes still on the reports. "I need to be ten seconds ahead of them tomorrow. Every move has to be instinct."
Khalid smiled faintly. "Your instincts are better than most men's planning."
Alam stood and walked to the window. "They took Rafiqui today. That means tomorrow is ours."
Scene 2: Radar Silence Breaks
Location: Radar Control Room, PAF Base Sargodha | Date: September 7, 1965 | Time: 5:03 AM
Green pulses blinked methodically on the radar screens. A sharp beep broke the rhythm.
"Unidentified air contact, bearing northeast, multiple bogeys," the radar officer called.
Squadron Leader Alam was already suited, strapping his helmet as a jeep arrived to escort him.
Group Captain Usman's voice came over the base intercom. "Scramble, scramble, scramble! Defend Sargodha!"
Alam climbed into his F-86 Sabre like a man stepping into his destiny.
Scene 3: Into the Fire
Location: Skies above Sargodha | Time: 5:18 AM
"Eagle One airborne," Alam radioed, slicing through the pinkish dawn.
From altitude, he spotted them — five Indian Air Force Hawker Hunters flying in loose formation.
"They're close. Stay calm. Eyes sharp," he whispered.
A voice came in from Base Ops. "Eagle One, confirmed five Hunters. Engage at discretion."
Alam adjusted his trim and dove.
"Let's see who writes history today."
Scene 4: The First Strike
Location: Combat Airspace | Time: 5:22 AM
Alam's Sabre roared in from the side.
"Locked on lead Hunter," he said aloud.
The cannon fired — direct hit. The enemy jet erupted into flames and spiraled into the wheat fields below.
Without breaking formation, Alam pulled hard left.
"Two in sight," he reported. A sharp barrel roll followed. His second and third bursts brought down two more Hunters.
Three down.
Scene 5: Ground Control in Awe
Location: PAF Base Sargodha – Ops Room | Time: 5:23 AM
"Did he say three down?" the radar officer asked, blinking in disbelief.
"Confirmed. Callsign Eagle One has downed three Hunters," the comms officer replied.
Group Captain Usman grinned. "This man is rewriting the doctrine of air combat."
Scene 6: Victory in the Clouds
Location: Skies Over the Front | Time: 5:24 AM
Alam spotted the remaining two Hunters attempting evasive maneuvers.
He climbed, performed an Immelmann turn, and fired at one.
"Fourth kill confirmed," he said over comms.
The last Hunter dipped below, trying to flee. Alam dropped altitude, matched speed.
"Locked. Firing."
A puff of smoke. The fifth Hunter was gone.
"Five enemy aircraft neutralized. Over."
Radio silence.
Then a crackling reply. "Repeat that, Eagle One?"
"Five confirmed kills. Returning to base."
Scene 7: Touchdown and Reverence
Location: Runway, PAF Base Sargodha | Time: 5:45 AM
As Alam's Sabre rolled to a stop, ground crew, officers, and fellow pilots rushed toward him.
He removed his helmet, blinking against the sun.
"Five Hunters, Sir?" an airman asked.
Alam nodded quietly. "Under a minute."
Group Captain Usman embraced him. "You've done something no one ever has."
Alam replied, "Rafiqui was with me. In spirit."
Scene 8: National Shockwave
Location: Radio Pakistan Headquarters, Rawalpindi | Time: 9:00 AM
The national broadcast opened with a solemn trumpet salute.
Announcer: "In an unprecedented display of aerial combat, Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam has downed five Indian aircraft in less than one minute, defending our skies over Sargodha."
In mosques, schools, and shops, people froze.
"He's not a man," whispered an old shopkeeper. "He's a falcon."
Scene 9: The Medal and the Moment
Location: President House, Islamabad | Date: September 10, 1965
President Ayub Khan personally handed Alam the Sitara-e-Jurat.
"You are the sword in the sky, son," Ayub said. "And your name will outlive us all."
Alam, humbled, simply responded, "I flew for Pakistan. That was enough."
Scene 10: Alone at Dusk
Location: Edge of the Airstrip, Sargodha | Time: 7:15 PM
The sun dipped below the horizon. Alam stood quietly at the edge of the runway.
In his hand, a photo — Rafiqui, Yunus, and himself during flight training.
"They should be here," he murmured.
Behind him, the next generation of pilots practiced touch-and-go landings.
He smiled.
"This sky will never fall while we fly."
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End of Chapter 19