Five persons, including Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, embraced martyrdom on Saturday in an Indian missile attack a few hours before Islamabad and Delhi agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire.
The incident occurred at PAF Base Bholari near Jamshoro, Sindh around 11 a.m. Reportedly, 52 people were working in the hangar of the PAF Base Bholari, with 40 inside the hangar and 12 outside for maintenance purposes. Without warning, a missile hit the hangar, with the squadron leader and four other airmen embracing martyrdom on the spot. Additionally, five others were injured and rushed to CMH Hyderabad, where they are undergoing treatment.
Shortly after the missile strike, at 1:30 p.m., a drone struck the airport road in Hyderabad.
The attack was part of India’s campaign targeting Pakistan’s airbases. Delhi also targeted PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad, as well as PAF Base Musha in Sargodha.
Tributes for the martyred PAF personnel have poured in all weekend, with social media users commemorating Yousaf for his bravery and commitment to defending Pakistan’s airspace. He has been hailed as a national hero.