RAWALPINDI – Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir delivered a strong message that reframed Pakistan–India confrontation as more than a military clash. Calling it “not just a war, but a battle of ideologies,” he said the conflict tested national resolve and ended with what he described as a decisive response by Pakistan’s armed forces.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, #COAS & CDF of #Pakistan, addresses the nation on the auspicious occasion of the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq at Yadgar-e-Shuhada, GHQ, Rawalpindi#BunyanUmMarsoos #ISPR pic.twitter.com/hiucABEPxJ
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) May 10, 2026
The event at GHQ highlighted themes of sacrifice, national unity, and military strength, as senior leadership gathered to mark the occasion. The high-profile ceremony is being attended by senior military leadership and top defence officials, with Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir presiding as chief guest.
Addressing the ceremony, Field Marshal Asim Munir called Marka-e-Haq more than a military confrontation between two states. He termed it a “decisive battle between two ideologies,” claiming the opposing side suffered a humiliating setback.
He said the day remains a source of immense national pride, adding that Pakistan achieved a significant victory when its armed forces responded decisively to attempts aimed at undermining national resolve.
Field Marshal paid rich tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs, including innocent civilians, describing their sacrifices as a sacred trust. He said the nation’s strength is a responsibility, while its success is a blessing from Almighty Allah.
He said sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national honour remain non-negotiable, adding that during the crisis the nation stood united like a “steel wall of defence.”
Recalling the events of last year, he said tensions escalated after what Pakistan described as an “unprovoked strike” by India on the night of May 6–7, following an incident involving tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the situation quickly escalated into an 87-hour high-alert confrontation involving air operations, ground deployments, and drone warfare, triggering global concern over a potential escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan maintains that during the conflict its forces shot down eight Indian fighter jets, including advanced Rafale aircraft, and neutralized multiple drones, describing the response as decisive and operationally effective.
He further stated that advanced missile systems and air assets struck more than 26 military targets during the confrontation.
Field Marshal Munir warned that Pakistan’s defence capabilities are now fully capable of deterring any external aggression, adding that any future misadventure would face severe, far-reaching, and painful consequences.
He also highlighted that future warfare would be multi-domain in nature, involving cyber warfare, drones, long-range precision weapons, and artificial intelligence.
The confrontation, widely described as one of the most closely watched escalations in South Asia, ended on May 10 after a ceasefire agreement reportedly facilitated through United States diplomatic intervention, bringing the 19-day crisis to a close.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic role, he thanked international leadership for trusting Pakistan in facilitating sensitive diplomatic efforts, saying the country continues to pursue responsible and balanced diplomacy in global affairs.
He noted that after failing in conventional confrontation, adversaries are increasingly resorting to terrorism, reiterating Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan dismantle terrorist sanctuaries operating from its territory.
Earlier, senior military leadership laid floral wreaths at the Martyrs’ Monument at GHQ and offered prayers. A smartly turned-out contingent of the armed forces presented a guard of honour to pay tribute to the fallen.
LIVE: GHQ hosts Grand Ceremony marking One Year of Marka-e-Haq Victory
