1965 War Hero Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry Dies

War veteran of the  1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (retired) of the Pakistan Air Force ( PAF) has died in Lahore today.  The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt has expressed his extreme grief and extended his deepest sympathies and profound condolences to the family of Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry over the loss of  great fighter pilot and true patriot.

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry is considered as a true source of inspiration for all ranks and files of Pakistan Air Force due to his legendary career as a fighter pilot who fought in a number of aerial battles and he was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat and Tamgha-e-Jurat for his bravery.

Cecil Chaudhry was credited with several air-to-air kills and was one of the distinguished Pakistani strike and fighter pilots of the period. Chaudhry showed his true colours in the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, by displaying outstanding professionalism, unflinching devotion and exemplary courage. The services rendered by the legend were beyond the call of normal duty and contributed a significant share towards PAF achieving air superiority during the Indo-Pak war of 1965.

 He was part of the famous attack formation, responsible for the destruction of Halwara airfield and the Amritsar radar in 1965 war. In recognition of his meritorious services, he was awarded with Sitara-e-Jurat and Sitara-i-Basalat. Group Captain Chaudhry was born on 27 August 1941 to a Christian (Roman Catholic) family of the village Dalwal, located in the Salt Range.

 He joined the Pakistan Air Force on March 12 1958 and was commissioned in the GD (P) branch on 26 June 1960. During his career in the Pakistan Air Force, he commanded two Mirage squadrons and Combat Commanders School (CCS).