In one of the most remarkable aerial combat stories of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, Flight Lieutenant Vikram Samar Shah of the Indian Air Force turned the tables on three Pakistani MiG-19s despite being outnumbered, low on fuel, and nearly out of options. His fearless manoeuvres not only destroyed an enemy aircraft but also forced the others to retreat and he still managed to land his MiG-21 safely with barely a drop of fuel left.
On the afternoon of December 16, 1971, Shah was returning from an escort mission in which IAF’s Marut fighters had targeted enemy positions in Naya Chor and Mirpur. Flying alongside Flying Officer Dinesh Arora of the 29th Squadron, Shah’s role was to provide cover for the strike force.
Spotting a Pakistani Cessna Bird Dog, Shah instructed Arora to remain with the Marut formation while he moved in to engage. He successfully neutralised the Cessna, but as he prepared to head back, Shah’s radar and warning alarms signalled danger, three Pakistani MiG-19 fighters had closed in, one on each side and one above.
With fuel reserves critically low and base still minutes away, Shah made the risky decision to attack rather than evade.
“Rather than retreat, he chose to confront the enemy head-on,” reads an official IAF account of the mission.
He executed a sharp turn at full throttle, briefly disappearing from radar before reappearing to scatter the formation. Two Pakistani pilots lost coordination and broke away.
Facing the last MiG-19 alone, Shah exploited a minor tactical error by the enemy pilot and launched an air-to-air missile. The Pakistani jet was hit and crashed into the desert below.
By now, Shah’s MiG-21 was running on vapours. Using sheer ingenuity, he climbed to altitude, shut off the engine, and glided towards base. His wheels touched down just as the final drop of fuel was consumed, a textbook demonstration of skill and composure under extreme pressure.
For his gallantry, presence of mind, and unmatched aerial skill, Flight Lieutenant Vikram Samar Shah was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal and the Vir Chakra. His story remains a shining chapter in the IAF’s combat history, illustrating how courage and tactical brilliance can turn the tide in seemingly impossible odds.
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