"PAF Celebrates 100 Years of Aviation"

A quick painting of mine, depicting WC Haseeb Paracha, doing aerobatics in an F-16A over Karachi beach. On 17^th December, 2003, PAF celebrated 100 years of Aviation. A large crowd was present to witness superb performance of F-16, K-8 and PAF’s Aerobatic team “Sherdils” flying T-37s.

“Sonic Booms over Amritsar”

The painting depicts PAF F-104 piloted by F/L Farooq Umer, crossing sound barrier over Golden Temple, Amritsar, India.

After PAF shot down IAF Vampires over Chamb on September 1st, 1965, the PAF higher command wanted to send a clear warning message to Indians, not to mess with Pakistan and the PAF was fully capable to meet the challenges. The war was not officially declared at that time. So F/L Farooq Umer, who was on dusk CAP mission over Kashmir, was ordered to break the sound barrier over the famous Indian city. He reached the city and crossed the sound barrier at low altitude. Not satisfied, he came again, this time in opposite direction and rocked the city with massive sonic booms. There was panic on the ground and even IAF did not come to intercept. Later that evening, All India Radio announced 8 PAF F-86s had bombed Amritsar city!!!! Despite Indian Ack ack, F-104 headed back to Sargodha unscratched and landed safely.