ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Navy observed Navy Day with solemn ceremonies and tributes to the naval warriors whose courage and sacrifice became a defining chapter in the country’s military history during the 1965 War.
The commemorations not only honoured the fallen but also spotlighted a legacy of courage, professional excellence and sacrifice that the Pakistan Navy says has been carried forward by successive generations in defence of the motherland.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), T Bt, recalled the historic Operation SOMNATH, describing it as a striking demonstration of what a determined maritime force could achieve despite numerical and material limitations.
According to the naval chief, the operation underscored the decisive impact that courage, conviction and resolve can have in the face of overwhelming constraints. He said the spirit forged during Operation SOMNATH remains alive within the Pakistan Navy and was once again reflected in its successful deterrence of the Indian Navy during Marka-e-Haq.
The day started with Quran Khawani and special prayers for the Shuhada, setting a solemn tone for the nationwide commemorations. At Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, Admiral Naveed Ashraf laid a floral wreath at the Shuhada Monument, paying homage to personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Chief of the Naval Staff also met the families of the Shuhada, acknowledging not only the sacrifices of those who lost their lives but also the courage and resilience of the families who continue to bear their loss.
Navy Day observances were held across the country, with naval establishments joining in commemorating the service and sacrifices of Pakistan’s maritime defenders.
As the Pakistan Navy looked back at the events that shaped its history, the day served as a reminder that the institution’s battlefield legacy is measured not merely in military engagements, but in the courage, sacrifice and resolve of those who stood in defence of the nation.
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