 The first direct air-to-air combat engagements between a F-104 and a MiG-21 took place during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.MiG-21FLs flown by the IAF shot down at least two, and possibly four, PAF Starfighters without sustaining any losses.The first confirmed loss occurred on 12–13 December 1971, when MiG-21FLs of the IAF's No.