ISLAMABAD (Digital Post) 20 February 2003 was the worst day in the history of the Pakistan Air Force

ISLAMABAD (Digital Post) 20 February 2003 was the worst day in the history of the Pakistan Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir was martyred near Kohat in an aircraft crash along with his wife and fifteen companions. Mushaf Ali Mir was appointed as the ninth Chief of the Pakistan Air Force on 20 November 2000 and remained in this position until his martyrdom. Mushaf Ali Mir was born in Lahore. He joined the Pakistan Air Force in 1966. During the 1971 war, he shot down an Indian MIG21 while flying an F6 fighter, which was a clear proof of his professional skill. After the war, he obtained Master’s degrees in War Studies and Strategic Studies from Air War College and National Defence University. Mushaf Ali Mir is counted among those distinguished commanders of the Pakistan Air Force who left deep marks in institutional reforms, practical leadership, and combat preparedness. During his career, he led important institutions including the Night Strike Squadron, Northern and Southern Air Commands, and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. His services as Air Attaché in Washington, F16 capability, and his role in major defense projects such as Project Green Flash and Project Falcon remained prominent. He strengthened modernization of air power, operational preparedness, and international cooperation. During the 2001–2002 Pak-India military standoff, as Chief of Air Staff, he kept the Air Force on high alert and directly supervised war preparations. After 9/11, his diplomatic and professional abilities were evident in sensitive matters such as restoration of F16 spare parts and software updates from the United States Air Force. On 20 February 2003, in severe weather conditions near Kohat, he was martyred in the crash of a PAF Fokker F27 aircraft along with his wife Mrs. Bilqees, Air Vice Marshal Abdul Razzaq, Air Vice Marshal Saleem Nawaz, Air Commodore Syed Javed Sabir, Air Commodore Rizwanullah Khan, Group Captain Aftab Cheema, Wing Commander Syed Tabassum Abbas, Squadron Leader Ahmed Yousaf, Squadron Leader Abdul Rab (Pilot), Squadron Leader Mumtaz Kiyani (Co-pilot), Senior Tech Khan Muhammad (Navigator), Ashraf, Ghazanfar, Fayyaz, and Khush Qadam Shah. According to official investigations, the accident occurred due to technical fault and weather conditions. His funeral prayer was offered at PAF Sports Complex, and he was buried with full state honors at Mominpura Graveyard, Lahore. Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Basalat, and several national and international honors.