The 1965 war between India and Pakistan involved many brave actions in the air. Pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fought daring air battles and flew on dangerous missions. The PAF had some very advanced American planes, like the F-104 Starfighter. This was a Mach 2 jet (it could fly twice the speed of sound) and had air-to-air missiles. But it was the bravery and skill of pilots like IAF’s Flight Lieutenant Ajjamada Bopayya Devayya that often made the biggest difference, even when facing better enemy planes.
On September 7, 1965, Flt Lt Devayya was part of a group of eight IAF Dassault Mystere IVa fighter-bomber planes. He belonged to No. 1 Squadron, also known as “The Tigers.” Their mission was very risky: to attack the PAF airbase at Sargodha. This base was deep inside Pakistan and was heavily defended. The Mystere IVa was a French plane, good for attacking ground targets and armed with cannons for air fights. But it was slower and older than the PAF’s F-104 Starfighters, which protected Sargodha.
The attack on Sargodha was full of danger. The base had many anti-aircraft guns, and PAF jets were always ready to fight. After the IAF Mysteres dropped their bombs on their targets, they started to fly back. This was a dangerous time. As they were leaving, PAF F-104 Starfighters attacked them.
During this air battle, an F-104 Starfighter, flown by PAF Flt Lt Amjad Hussain Khan, hit Flt Lt Devayya’s Mystere. Devayya’s plane was badly damaged. Reports said it was smoking or even on fire. Most pilots in such a dangerous situation, with a damaged plane and a faster enemy jet chasing them, would try to escape or jump out with a parachute.
But Flt Lt Ajjamada Devayya was different. He showed amazing courage and did not give up. He made a quick decision that made him an IAF legend. Instead of running away, he turned his damaged, slower Mystere to fight the Starfighter. It was like a fight between David and Goliath. The F-104 Starfighter was built for high-speed attacks at high altitudes. It was not as good at turning and fighting at lower altitudes against a plane like the Mystere, which could turn more easily, even if it was slower. Devayya used his great flying skills and the Mystère’s ability to turn well. He managed to get behind the Starfighter.
Even though his own plane was probably on fire and about to break apart, Devayya kept attacking. He fired his 30mm cannons and hit the F-104. The advanced Starfighter was shot down. Flt Lt Amjad Hussain Khan had to eject from his plane and parachuted to safety. He later confirmed that the Mystere he was chasing had shot him down. This was an incredible achievement – a slower, damaged plane shooting down one of the world’s most advanced supersonic fighter jets.
Sadly, Flt Lt Devayya did not come back from this mission. His plane is thought to have crashed in Pakistan after this heroic fight. For more than twenty years, people did not know the full story of his last flight. He was listed as “missing in action.” It was only in 1988, after researchers and Pakistani sources (including Flt Lt Khan) shared information, that everyone understood Devayya’s amazing bravery.
For his outstanding courage far beyond what was expected, his amazing flying skill in defeating a better enemy plane even when his own plane was badly damaged, and for giving his life, Flight Lieutenant Ajjamada Bopayya Devayya was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) after his death. This is India’s second-highest award for bravery. His defiant last fight over Sargodha is still an inspiring story of how human spirit and skill can win against better technology. It shows the brave spirit of the Indian Air Force.
