ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (WNP): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs of recent Indian aggression, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty and respond decisively to any provocation.
In a strongly worded statement, President Zardari said that India’s “blatant aggression” had further united the Pakistani nation and reinforced its determination to safeguard its territorial integrity. He paid tribute to the martyred personnel of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force, hailing their sacrifice as a symbol of national pride and resilience.
“We are proud of the martyrs who laid down their lives for Pakistan’s security,” the president said. “Our valiant forces, through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, shattered the enemy’s arrogance and stood firm in defence of the homeland.”
President Zardari extended condolences to the families of those killed in the unprovoked Indian attacks and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. He emphasized that the nation and its armed forces remained fully prepared to respond to any act of hostility.
Echoing the president’s sentiments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the recent operation, launched in response to India’s aggression, had decisively “demolished the illusion of Indian military superiority.” He saluted the families of the fallen and said the entire nation stood by them in gratitude and solidarity.
“The brave sons of our armed forces have fulfilled their sacred duty to protect the motherland. We will never forget their sacrifices,” the prime minister said. “The operation Bunyanum Marsoos sent an unequivocal message: Pakistan is a peaceful country, but it will not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty.”
The prime minister confirmed that a comprehensive Martyrs’ Package had been announced to support the families of the fallen, adding that the state would stand by them in every possible way.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the Indian armed forces carried out “unprovoked and reprehensible attacks” during the night of May 6-7, targeting civilians in border areas. The strikes resulted in the martyrdom of 40 civilians—including 15 children and 7 women—and injured 121 others, among them 10 women and 27 children.
In response, the Pakistan Armed Forces launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos under the broader campaign titled Marka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth), delivering precise retaliatory strikes and showcasing a “full-spectrum response capability.”
Eleven military personnel, including five from the Pakistan Air Force and six from the Pakistan Army, embraced martyrdom during the operation. Their names include:
Pakistan Army Martyrs:
* Naik Abdul Rehman
* Lance Naik Dilawar Khan
* Lance Naik Ikramullah
* Naik Waqar Khalid
* Sepoy Muhammad Adeel Akbar
* Sepoy Nisar
Pakistan Air Force Martyrs:
* Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf
* Chief Technician Aurangzeb
* Senior Technician Najeeb
* Corporal Technician Farooq
* Senior Technician Mubashir
The ISPR hailed the fallen as symbols of “courage, devotion, and unwavering patriotism,” adding that their sacrifice would remain etched in the nation’s collective memory.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi on Monday to meet wounded soldiers and civilians. Commending their bravery, the COAS reaffirmed the army’s commitment to their care and rehabilitation.
“No hostile design can break the spirit of Pakistan’s armed forces,” the COAS said. “The unity displayed during Marka-e-Haq and the firm backing of the people of Pakistan mark a defining chapter in our military history.”
The ISPR concluded its statement with a stern warning: “Let there be no ambiguity—any attempt to challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty or territorial integrity will be met with a swift, decisive, and full-spectrum response, Inshallah.”
