KARACHI  - Pakistan's hero of 1965 war MM Alam passed away here on Monday after a protracted illness. He was 78.
He had been admitted to the Pakistan Naval Station Shifa, a naval hospital in Karachi, for the treatment of lungs problem.
Air commodore Muhammad Mahmood Alam was a retired Pakistani fighter pilot. He had shot down nine Indian Airforce planes in one single mission of air-to-air combat - a rare feat in air battle - five of them were downed in less than a minute.
He was a recipient of the Pakistani military decoration, the Sitara-e-Jurrat ("The star of courage") for his achievement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and establishing a world record of shooting down war planes.
He was born on July 6, 1935 in Calcutta, British India. He was popularly known as "MM. Alam" and nicknamed little dragon.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt has expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of M.M.Alam.
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Air Commodore (Retd) M.M. Alam.
The President has paid glowing tributes to his contributions towards defence of the country stating that late M. M. Alam was a source of inspiration‚ who made the people proud through his valour and unmatched bravery in the defence of our motherland.
The President prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and for the courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.
Meanwhile, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has expressed his heartfelt condolence on the sad demise of Air Commodore (Retd) M. M Alam, a great Hero of 1965 war.