PAF Base Rafiqui

{{short description|Pakistan Air Force base}}

{{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox military installation

| name = PAF Base Rafiqui

| ensign = File:Air_Force_Ensign_of_Pakistan.svg

| ensign_size = 100

| native_name =

| partof =

| location = Jhang District, Punjab

| nearest_town =

| country = Pakistan

| image = File:PAF Rafiqui.jpg

| alt =

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| coordinates = {{Coord|30|45|29|N|72|16|57|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}

| gridref =

| type = Air Force base

| pushpin_map = Punjab Pakistan#Pakistan

| pushpin_mapsize =

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Punjab, Pakistan

| pushpin_relief =

| pushpin_image =

| pushpin_label = PAF Base Rafiqui

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| ownership = Ministry of Defense

| operator = Pakistan Air Force

| controlledby = Northern Air Command

| open_to_public =

| condition = Operational

| site_other_label =

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| website = [http://www.paf.gov.pk/ Pakistan Air Force]

| built = {{Start date|1968}}

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| used = 1968 - present

| fate =

| demolished =

| battles =

• 1965 Indo-Pakistani war
• 1971 Indo-Pakistani war
• 2025 India-Pakistan conflict

| events =

| current_commander = 15px 20px Air Commodore

| past_commanders =

| garrison = 34 Tactical Attack Wing

| occupants = 14 Squadron "Tail Choppers"
25 Squadron "Eagles"
27 Squadron "Zarrars"
50 Squadron "Saf Shikan"
83 SAR Squadron "Kites"

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| ICAO = OPRQ

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| elevation = {{Convert|150|m|0}}

| r1-number = 15/33

| r1-length = {{Convert|3048|m|0}}

| r1-surface = Asphalt

}}

Pakistan Air Force Base Rafiqui formerly known as PAF Base Shorkot {{Airport codes||OPRQ}}, is a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airbase located near Shorkot, Jhang District, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is around {{Convert|337|km}} south of Islamabad. The base is served by a single 10,000-foot runway and a parallel taxiway that could be used for emergency landing and recovery of aircraft.[https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/rafiqui.htm PAF Base Rafiqui /Shorkot Cantt] GlobalSecurity.org website, Retrieved 5 October 2021[https://nuke.fas.org/guide/pakistan/facility/airbase/index.html Pakistan Air Force Bases] nuke.fas.org website, Retrieved 5 October 2021

The base was renamed in honour of Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, a highly decorated fighter pilot who led raids into enemy territory during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Rafiqui is famous for assisting his fellow pilots over enemy territory despite being heavily outnumbered even after the guns of his aircraft had jammed.[https://fearlesswarriors.pk/martyrs/sqn-ldr-sarfraz-ahmed-rafiqui-hj-sj-shaheed-of-1965-war/ Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui: Shaheed of 1965 War] Fearlesswarriors.pk website, Retrieved 5 October 2021 On 10 May 2025, the base was struck by the Indian Air Force during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-10 |title=Pakistan retaliates after India fired at three air bases |url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/pakistan-army-spokesman-say-india-has-fired-missiles-at-3-of-its-air-bases-raising-conflict-fears/c0d0ca54-f922-400a-9d71-8a84435f002f |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=9news.com.au}}

The base is home to the following squadrons:{{cite web|url=https://scramble.nl/planning/orbats/pakistan/pakistan-air-force#OPRQ404|title=Pakistan - Air Force - Rafiqui (OPRQ)|publisher=Scramble.nl|access-date=22 May 2025}}

• No. 14 Squadron "Tail Choppers"
• No. 25 Squadron "Eagles"
• No. 27 Squadron "Zarrars"
• No. 50 Squadron "Saf Shikan"
• No. 83 SAR Squadron "Kites"