Marka-i-Haq: ISPR says any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with greater strength, resolve
AI Summary
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan has reaffirmed the military's readiness to counter any threats with greater strength, reflecting on last year's conflict with India. The statement highlights the Pakistan Air Force’s modernization and commitment to uphold national security amidst evolving geopolitical challenges. It emphasizes Pakistan's stance as a peace-loving nation while preparing for potential future threats.
The military’s media affairs wing has said that any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with “even greater strength, precision and resolve far stronger than what was witnessed by the adversary during Marka-i-Haq”. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. In a statement released late Wednesday night to mark the first anniversary of the conflict with India, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) “proudly commemorate a defining chapter in the nation’s military history; one that strengthened national confidence, reaffirmed institutional resolve and validated PAF’s relentless pursuit of modernization and focused capability enhancement”. “This historic milestone reflects PAF’s steadfast journey towards becoming a future-ready air power through smart inductions of cutting-edge systems and swift operationalisation of niche and disruptive technologies, consolidating its operational reorientation,” it said. The statement added that by mastering the skillful employment of multi-domain operations, PAF continues to consolidate itself into a “future-focused and capable air power, fully prepared to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan in the face of the evolving nature and parameters of modern air warfare”. “The successful execution of these operations, unprecedented in scope and novel in the history of aerial warfare, not only underscored the professional excellence of PAF but also renewed the pride, confidence and spirit of the resilient Pakistani nation,” it said. The statement also said that Pakistan was a peace-loving country, and its armed forces embodied a mature and responsible strategic culture. “Every effort, preparation and endeavour of Pakistan’s armed forces remains dedicated to preserving peace, promoting stability and ensuring security in the region. Peace for Pakistan has always been inseparable from honour, dignity and sovereign equality,” it said. “Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully cognizant of the evolving geopolitical and regional security environment, as well as the aggressive capability pursuits of adversarial forces,” it said. It noted that while the strategic environment continued to transform, the resolve, vigilance and commitment of the armed forces to defend the nation remained unwavering. It said that the country’s armed forces continued to invest in critical capabilities, advanced technologies and professional excellence required to meet future challenges. “More focused than ever before, they stand prepared for the future battlespace and remain ready to decisively respond to any aggression imposed upon the homeland. Any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with even greater strength, precision and resolve far stronger than what was witnessed by the adversary during Marka-i-Haq,” ISPR said. It said that the nation paid tribute to every member of PAF for their professionalism, sacrifice, untiring efforts and exceptional operational focus that remained pivotal to the historical defence of Pakistan’s airspace. “PAF is and (God willing) will remain second to none, worthy of being a symbol of pride, strength and confidence for this great nation,” ISPR concluded. What the world witnessed in May 2025 was not achieved overnight, PAF chief says Separately, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu also addressed a ceremony commemorating Marka-i-Haq. He said that after the Pahalgam incident, India blamed Pakistan without evidence and announced “immature and hasty measures” that created a hostile environment. He said that Pakistan’s government and its leadership had condemned the incident and offered its cooperation. However, considering the escalatory statement from the other side, the defence forces of Pakistan undertook necessary safeguards, he said. He said that PAF was observing each and every move by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the buildup to the military escalation. He said that when India launched the attack in the wee hours of May 7, 2025, PAF mobilised its jets to respond to the aggression. “Despite being outnumbered, PAF fought aggressively, denying the enemy the opportunity to enter our airspace. The enemy was compelled to stay at a distance from our borders.” He said that PAF switched from offence to defence when India launched weapons while within its territory. “Within minutes, multiple jets … were shot down. This devastating blow shocked the enemy and IAF was not seen in the air for the remainder of the conflict,” he said. He said that out of dozens of drones launched on Pakistan, none were allowed to “return home”. “For the first time in the history of air warfare, PAF c