AIR FORCE

First years of independence (1947–1950) Refugees awaiting evacuation by IAF Dakota on Poonch airstrip, December 1947. After gaining independence from the British Empire in 1947, British India was partitioned into the new states of the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan . Along the lines of the geographical partition, the assets of the air force were divided between the new countries. India's air force retained the name of the Royal Indian Air Force, but three of the ten operational squadrons and facilities, located within the borders of Pakistan, were transferred to the Royal Pakistan Air Force . [ 14 ] The RIAF Roundel was changed to an interim 'Chakra' roundel derived from the Ashoka Chakra . [ 4 ] Around the same time, conflict broke out between them over the control of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir . With Pakistani forces moving into the state, its Maharaja decided to accede to India in order to receive military hel