UNLIKE traditional celebrations of Defence Day, this year Pakistan commemorates the day with renewed vigour and a revitalized national spirit.
In the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year, Pakistan delivered a resolute and strategic response to Indian aggression. The operation, codenamed Marka-e-Haq (Operation Bunyan un Marsoos), saw Pakistan’s defence forces successfully neutralize key Indian military installations, including its air defence systems, missile sites and major strongholds along the ceasefire line.
During the conflict, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully shot down six Indian aircraft, including the French-made 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jets, renowned for their versatility in air-to-air combat, ground strikes and reconnaissance missions. The precision and intensity of Pakistan’s counteroffensive forced India to seek US diplomatic intervention, with President Donald Trump mediating the cessation of hostilities. In the wake of this victory over a militarily superior adversary, Pakistan is marking this year’s Defence Day (September 6, 2025) with heightened morale, profound national pride and a renewed sense of unity. Each year on September 6, the resilient Pakistani nation pays tribute to the martyrs of the 1965 war and all those who have sacrificed their lives defending the motherland. Ceremonies across military formations and services headquarters honour these heroes, especially those who stood firm against Indian aggression, both along the international border and the ceasefire line. The significance of Defence Day stems from the events of September 6, 1965, when India launched a sudden and unprovoked attack across the international border in violation of international law, the United Nations Charter and all norms of civilized international conduct. Driven by expansionist ambitions, Indian leadership underestimated Pakistan, viewing it as a militarily weaker state. However, the bravery, unity and strategic brilliance of the Pakistani defence forces turned the tide. This day is being remembered as a unique and memorable day with national unity and valour According to General (Retd) Sardar F.S. Lodi, “On September 6, 1965, the Indian attack on Lahore was held and beaten back with heavy losses”. The Pakistan Army, supported by the PAF, successfully blunted the Indian offensive across multiple sectors. Following their failed assault on Lahore, India launched a massive armoured offensive in the Sialkot sector on September 8, one of the largest tank battles since World War II. It was a prolonged and brutal engagement, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Ultimately, Pakistan repulsed the attack with significant losses to India’s armoured formations. Meanwhile, Pakistan launched its own successful counteroffensive, capturing Khem Karan and surrounding areas, threatening India’s rear positions.
By the time war ended, India had captured approximately 400 square miles of Pakistani territory, while Pakistan held around 1,600 square miles of Indian territory. The war concluded with Soviet-mediated negotiations through the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Defence Day of Pakistan had many lessons from the past indicating the challenges Pakistan is facing in the contemporary times. One of the hallmarks of the 1965 war was the unprecedented national unity. Every Pakistani stood behind the defence forces and national priorities were clear, defend sovereignty, protect territorial integrity and uphold national honour.
In the decades that followed, especially over the last 24 years, Pakistan has faced a new and complex set of challenges. The war against terrorism, launched in the wake of global extremism and regional instability, has tested the nation’s resilience. Though NATO and the US forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan continues to face cross-border militancy, particularly from the TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. This prolonged battle against extremism marks the shift from traditional warfare to what is known today as fifth-generation warfare; a non-kinetic, perception-based conflict that includes terrorism, propaganda, misinformation and cyber operations. In response, Pakistan’s defence forces have adapted by developing strategies to counter these emerging threats. The war may have changed in nature, but the courage of the Pakistani nation remains steadfast.
Despite international and regional conspiracies, Pakistan continues to face multidimensional challenges; domestically, regionally and globally. External actors are exploiting internal fault lines, fostering misinformation and encouraging divisions based on ethnicity, sectarianism and sub-nationalism. These forces seek to undermine Pakistan’s ideological foundation and national cohesion. Now, more than ever, we must return to the guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline. As we celebrate Defence Day in 2025, it is imperative to foster greater national integration, resist divisive narratives and reinforce our collective identity.
India’s continuation of Operation Sindoor and its growing investment in sponsoring terrorism within Pakistan, particularly through groups like the TTP, BLA, BLF, BRA and the so-called Majeed Brigade, necessitates a vigilant and proactive defence posture. While Pakistan had largely dismantled terrorist infrastructure by 2017, the re-emergence of militancy, supported by hostile foreign countries like the Afghan Taliban Government and Indian RAW demands a renewed commitment to national security. Indian water terrorism strategy; stoppage of water during sowing periods of crops while leaving huge water during monsoon is yet another form of aggression and terrorism.
The military success of May-2025 and the enduring legacy of September-1965 serve as reminders of what Pakistan can achieve when united. Let us rekindle the spirit of September 6, 1965, when every Pakistani stood behind the defence forces and national pride transcended all differences. Let us reject propaganda, stand firm against terrorism and extremism and remain united; internally and externally to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty, dignity and future. The path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with unity and determination, Pakistan will continue to rise, stronger and more resilient than ever before.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
