Inspired by his elder brother "Ijaz Rafique", Sarfaraz joined the
Royal Pakistan Air Force's 13th GDP course and graduated from
Risalpur Academy in 1953.
1965 War Air battle over Chhamb On the evening of 1 September 1965, the
Indian Air Force (IAF) intervened in the
Chhamb Sector by sending 26 aircraft (12
de Havilland Vampires and 14
Mystere IVs) to slow down the Pakistan Army's XII Division's
offensive against
Akhnoor in response to a call for help from the Indian Army. The IAF's
45 Squadron was ordered to provide
close air support to Indian forces in the area. These 26 planes flying in finger-four formation strafed Pakistani positions and attacked Pakistani tanks and ground targets. The
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) scrambled two F-86 Sabres, flown by S/L
Sarfraz Rafiqui of No. 5 Squadron and F/L
Imtiaz Bhatti of No. 15 Squadron from
PAF Base Sargodha to intercept them. Though heavily outnumbered, the two pilots engaged the Indians and in the ensuing
dogfight over
Chhamb, each pilots shot down two
de Havilland Vampires. Rafiqui had taken on the flight leader and wingman while Bhatti went after an element leader and element wingman. He then radioed
Cecil Chaudhry and said, "Cecil, my guns have stopped firing, you have the lead." While Rafiqui was positioning himself as Cecil's
wingman, Gandhi managed to get behind Rafiqui, but failed to score any hits. Minutes later, Gandhi was shot down by Cecil as he came to Rafiqui's aid. Since the formation was low on fuel and daylight, along with Rafiqui's jammed guns, they decided to head back to base, but were suddenly bounced by two more IAF Hunters (flown by Flight Lieutenant D. N. Rathore and Flighy Officer V. K. Neb). Rathore attacked Rafiqui, while Neb engaged Younas. In the ensuing dogfight, both Rafiqui and Younas were shot down, while Cecil Chaudhry managed to escape. Rathore, who had ambushed Rafiqui, scored several hits on Rafiqui's Sabre, which suddenly banked sharply to the left and then crashed into the ground near the village of Heren, which was around six miles away from
Halwara. He was declared
missing in action by the Pakistan Air Force, but after his absence in
prisoner exchanges after the war, the PAF officially declared him as
killed in action. According to reports, Rafiqui is buried in an unmarked grave near
Halwara. == Honors and legacy ==