On November 22, 1971, about ten days before the India Pakistan war started, Pakistani fighter jets that were ostensibly providing air support to Pakistani ground units, entered Indian territory. They were intercepted by four Gnat aircraft of the No. 22 squadron. 
In the air battle that ensued, two Pakistani jets were shot down and the pilots who baled out were taken prisoners, while a third Pakistani jet though hit and severely damaged, managed to escape into East Pakistan.  While the war between the two Countries had not formally begun, this battle over the Boyra region is regarded as one of the most decisive air war victories for Indian