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East Pakistan Operations 1971

East Pakistan Air Operations
Part of Bangladesh liberation war
Date 2–16 December 1971
Location Bangladesh, then East Pakistan
Result Defeat of Pakistan Air Force Eastern Contingent
Indian tactical and strategic victory
Indian Air Force gained absolute air superiority over East Pakistan Air Force
Territorial
changes
Bangladesh
Belligerents

 Bangladesh
 India(Joined the war on 3 December 1971)


 Indian Air Force
 Bangladesh Air Force

 Pakistan


 Pakistan Air Force
Commanders and leaders
Air Mshl Harish Chandra Dewan
Gp.Capt. A.K. Khandkar
Air Cmde Mohammad Inamul Haq
Lt.Col. L.A. Bukhari
Strength

Bangladesh Air Force: Kilo Flight Indian Air Force Eastern Command:
3 Mig 21FL Squadrons
4 Hawker Hunter Squadrons
3 Folland Gnat Squadrons
2 Canberra Squadron
1 Sukhoi Su-7 BMK Squadron
3 Flights Mi-4

3 Flights Alouette III Helicopters

Pakistan Air Force:

16 Canadair Sabre, 2 T-33 Trainer, 8 Helicopters.
Casualties and losses
19 aircraft lost by IAF to various causes. 5 Sabres shot down,
11 Sabers and 2 T-33 scuttled,
1 helicopter shot down or abandoned

 Bangladesh
 India(Joined the war on 3 December 1971)

 Pakistan

Bangladesh Air Force: Kilo Flight Indian Air Force Eastern Command:
3 Mig 21FL Squadrons
4 Hawker Hunter Squadrons
3 Folland Gnat Squadrons
2 Canberra Squadron
1 Sukhoi Su-7 BMK Squadron
3 Flights Mi-4

Pakistan Air Force:

East Pakistan Air Operations incorporate the interdiction, air defense, ground support, and logistics missions flown by the Indian Air Force and the Bangladesh Air Force in support of the advancing Mukti Bahini (called Operation Cactus Lily) in the eastern theater of the Indo-Pakistani conflict of 1971. Although the first of the engagements between the opposing airpowers occurred before the formal declaration of hostilities, the events described below include only those conducted after the declaration of war. The Indian Air force also helped the Mukti Bahini organize a formation of light aircraft (called Kilo flight) which were manned and serviced by Bengali pilots and technicians who had defected from the Pakistani Air Force. This unit had launched attacks on targets in Bangladesh on 3 December 1971, prior to the start of formal combat between India and Pakistan.


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