Any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with greater strength, ISPR says in Marka-i-Haq message

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.

Earlier this week, the military’s top brass had congratulated the nation and the armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-i-Haq, recognising it as a “defining moment reflecting national unity, collective resolve, and an unyielding commitment to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty at all costs”.

The 275th Corps Commanders’ Conference underscored that the “national commemoration of Marka-i-Haq serves as a clear message to [the] Indian hubristic political mindset that the Pakistani nation stands united, resilient, and fully prepared”.