Rawalpindi: In a tragic escalation of tensions, 40 civilians, including seven women and fifteen children, were martyred, and 121 others were injured in a series of unprovoked Indian attacks on the night of May 6–7. The attacks, described as reprehensible by Pakistan’s military, prompted a swift and resolute response from Pakistan’s Armed Forces under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which was carried out under the banner of Marka-e-Haq.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 11 personnel from Pakistan’s Armed Forces, including soldiers from the Army and Air Force, embraced martyrdom in the counter-offensive. Another 78 military personnel were wounded during the operation. The fallen heroes from the Pakistan Army include Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Dilawar Khan, Lance Naik Ikramullah, Naik Waqar Khalid, Sepoy Muhammad Adeel Akbar, and Sepoy Nisar. The martyrs from the Pakistan Air Force include Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf, Chief Technician Aurangzeb, Senior Technician Najeeb, Corporal Technician Farooq, and Senior Technician Mubashir.
The ISPR’s statement described the sacrifices of the martyrs as an enduring symbol of courage, devotion, and unwavering patriotism, etched forever in the nation’s memory. The military emphasized that any attempt to challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty or territorial integrity in the future would be met with a swift, full-spectrum, and decisive response.
The statement also offered heartfelt prayers for the recovery of those injured and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve in the face of aggression. In honor of the fallen heroes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq would be observed annually on May 10 to commemorate the “magnificent success” of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. He announced that May 16, 2025, would be observed as a day to pay tribute to the armed forces and express gratitude to God for their success.
This military confrontation came after India accused Pakistan of involvement in the Pahalgam attack. On the night of May 6–7, India launched airstrikes on Pakistan, resulting in civilian casualties. In response, both nations exchanged missile strikes for several days. Tensions escalated until US intervention led to a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, with US President Donald Trump announcing the cessation of hostilities.