Remembering MM Alam – A hero forever

The ‘1965 War Hero’ Muhammad Mahmood Alam, popularly known as M.M. Alam is being remembered on his eight death anniversary by paying glowing tributes for his heroics and unforgettable services.

Alam is considered a national hero for Pakistan for his extraordinary brilliance in the 1965 Pakistan-India war. While piloting an F-86 Sabre, Alam shot down five Indian war planes in less than a minute during 1965 Pak-India war and altogether downed nine warplanes in the aerial fight.

In recognition of his historic abilities, he was awarded titles of ‘Falcon’ and ‘Little Dragon’. Let’s have a look into the life of Muhammad Mahmood Alam and his achievements.

His life history

MM Alam, was born on July 6, 1935 in a well-educated family of Calcutta. The war hero was the eldest of 11 siblings. No one in his family before him had been part of the military, and in fact, he joined the armed forces against his father’s will. He completed his secondary education from Government High School in Dhaka In 1951.

Alam joined the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in 1952 and was granted commission on October 2, 1953. His major appointments included air gunnery and tactical instructor at Fighter Leader School, commanding officer of PAF squadrons No 11, No 5 and No 26, director operation research, assistant chief of the air staff (flight safety) and assistant chief of the air staff (plans) at the headquarters. Alam retired as an air commodore in 1982.

The 1965 war

The role of Pakistan armed forces and heroes in the 1965 war were exceptional for making valiant efforts and forcing the enemies to retreat, but the contribution of Muhammad Mahmood Alam (MM Alam) among them is unforgettable for inflicting massive damages to the enemy.

In 1965 when India started a war in the late mist dark night, MM Alam who was the first commanding officer of the first squadron of Assaults Mirage III, took his F-86 Sabre jet plane equipped with AIM-9 sidewinder missiles and fly over the skies of Sargodha to defeat the enemies who entered in Pakistani Air Space.

M.M.Alam downed an astounding figure of 5 Indian warplanes in just one minute. The feat was recognized as a world record, with 4 out of 5 enemy warplanes being blown up by Alam in the first 30 seconds.

Alam made an unforgettable history by knocking down 9 Indian Fighter Jets in air to air combat. He announced to the radar controller that he had shot down 9 IAF Air crafts and when Radio Pakistan announced his brilliance, people of Pakistan started rising the slogans of “Allah o Akbar”.

Achievements and death

He was awarded “Sitara-e-Jurat” for his heroics in war. M.M.Alam breathed his last on 18th march 2013 in Karachi due to lung disease. A major road has been built in his honor in Lahore, aptly titled M.M.Alam road. Alam is one of the most inspiring war heroes of Pakistan whose tales of bravery and courage, as well as expertise in manning a warplane will forever be etched in history.