Any future aggression will have painful consequences, warns Field Marshal Asim Munir on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

RAWALPINDI: Syed Asim Munir on Friday warned that any future aggression against Pakistan would have “far-reaching and painful consequences” as the country marked the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq.

Addressing a special ceremony held at the General Headquarters to commemorate the May war against India, the chief of defence forces said Pakistan, its people and armed forces achieved a “remarkable success” in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos with divine help, while the enemy suffered defeat and humiliation.

The ceremony was attended by Zaheer Ahmad Sidhu and Naveed Ashraf, who, along with Field Marshal Munir, laid floral wreaths at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada as contingents from the three armed forces presented a ceremonial salute.

On May 6-7 last year, India launched what Pakistan described as an unprovoked attack following an incident involving tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

During the 87-hour conflict, Pakistan claimed it shot down eight Indian fighter jets, including Rafale aircraft, and dozens of drones before the war ended on May 10 following a US-brokered ceasefire.

Addressing the gathering, Field Marshal Munir said the anniversary was a matter of pride for the entire nation and reflected Pakistan’s strength, unity and resolve.

He described Marka-e-Haq as not merely a conflict between two countries but a decisive battle between “two ideologies” in which truth prevailed.

“The confrontation from the night of May 6-7 until May 10 was an unsuccessful attempt by the enemy to test Pakistan’s national resolve and dignity,” he said.

The army chief said India’s ambitions extended beyond its capabilities and reiterated that Pakistan would never allow India’s “dream” of military dominance and diplomatic isolation of Pakistan to materialise.

He added that Pakistan’s armed forces had never bowed before pressure in the past and would not do so in the future.

“The entire nation stood like a solid wall in the defence of the homeland,” he said, while paying tribute to civilians martyred during the conflict, including women, elderly people and children.

Field Marshal Munir said there could be “no compromise” on Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.

He added that Pakistan’s success was achieved not only on the battlefield but also through national unity across all sectors, while praising the Pakistan Air Force for setting an example in modern warfare.

He said the country’s air force personnel shot down advanced enemy aircraft and destroyed military installations, while Pakistan’s strategic missile systems successfully struck more than 26 enemy military targets.

“Alhamdulillah! Today, Pakistan’s defence is fully impregnable against any external aggression,” he said, warning that any future hostile action would carry severe consequences.

Reflecting on developments over the past year, the army chief said Pakistan’s global standing had improved significantly and the country now enjoyed broader international support.

He also highlighted a strategic mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, calling it a historic achievement in advancing bilateral security cooperation.

Referring to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran, Field Marshal Munir said Islamabad was currently hosting historic peace talks and demonstrating responsible and neutral diplomacy on the global stage.

Read More: Pakistan unwavering in defending sovereignty, says PM Shehbaz on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

He said both United States and Iran had expressed confidence in Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

The army chief also accused India of resorting to terrorism after failing to succeed through conventional warfare and urged Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist camps and safe havens operating from its territory.

Paying tribute to security personnel and civilians, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, he vowed that Pakistan would continue its fight against terrorism until the last militant was eliminated.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, Field Marshal Munir said: “No story of Pakistan is complete without Kashmir,” pledging continued political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people.

He further said future warfare would increasingly involve multi-domain operations incorporating drones, cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and long-range weapon systems.

The army chief also announced that the Defence Forces Headquarters had been established to align Pakistan’s armed forces with modern operational requirements.