PESHAWAR: From Khyber to Karachi and Chitral to Gwadar, the nation is going to celebrate the 59th Defence and Martyrs Day with fervent patriotism on Friday. People from all walks of life will honor the martyrs and veterans of Pakistan, who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland.
In addition to military and civilian officials, citizens, academics, civil society members, human rights activists, laborers, farmers, and media professionals will offer heartfelt tributes to the martyrs and heroes of Pakistan’s armed forces, who made unparalleled sacrifices during 1965 war.
September 6, 1965
Brigadier (Retd) Mehmood Shah told the media that September 6, 1965 was a day when India attacked Pakistan in darkness without a warning or a declaration of war by violating all global laws, conventions and accords. The entire nation along with their valiant military forces stood up against the cowardly enemy and demonstrated unmatched valour during 1965 War.
PAF and Pakistan Artillery had broken back of enemy in 65 War
Brig (Retd) Mahmood Shah said Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Artillery had broken the back of the enemy in 1965 War. He said “Pakistan had occupied around 1,617 square miles of Indian territory in 1965 war and was in a very strong position to occupy Delhi if war continued for a few more days as the morale of enemy military had completely shattered.”
“Most of the enemy personnel of 65 war had served with Pakistani commanders during the World War II and the latter knew regarding their so-called war skills and fighting abilities that helped our troops to foil their evil designs,” he said.
Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (Nishan-i-Haider)
Rich tributes would be paid to Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (Nishan-i-Haider), who successfully defended the strategic BRB canal near Lahore for five days before embracing shahadat after being hit by an enemy’s tank shell on September 10, 1965.
M.M. Alam
Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam known as M.M. Alam had shot down two enemy hunter aircraft and damaged three others on 6th September 1965 besides completely destroying five more enemy hunter aircraft in less than a minute on September 7th, which is unparalleled in the history of Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti and Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmad Rafiqui thwarted the evil designs of the enemy on Halwara and destroyed many enemy’s aircraft. Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafiqui fought bravely in the 1965 war and embraced martyrdom. Similarly, Squadron Leader Sajjad Haider exhibited exceptional leadership, indomitable courage and flying skills in operations during the war.
The aim of the Defence Day of Pakistan is to highlight the valor and resilience of the Armed Forces of Pakistan during 1965 Indo-Pak war. Defence Day is a day to pledge that nation will always remember the sacrifices of its Armed Forces by honoring the martyrs while acknowledging their courage and fighting spirit. The day reminds us that Pakistan’s military is committed to national freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
