'Disproportionately Concentrated': Pakistan's Post-War Credit, Awards 'Monopolised' By Asim Munir
This is in sharp contrast to India's treatment of its military in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor'. The Centre's gallantry awards only recognise combatants from operations
Pakistan's military awards, following its standoff with India, have been monopolised by Field Marshal Asim Munir. This post-war credit has been 'disproportionately concentrated" on the Chief of Army Staff, said top intelligence sources.
This is in sharp contrast to India's treatment of its military in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor'. The central government's gallantry awards only recognise combatants from operations.
Pakistani awards, meanwhile, highlight top-brass self-projection and political weakness. India has not given away ceremonial awards to the three service chiefs.
India is honouring nine air force officers with the Vir Chakra for precision strikes on Pakistan's Muridke and Bahawalpur during the conflict. At least 26 armed forces personnel have received the Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry), including S-400 and air defence operators who shielded Indian skies.
Senior IAF officers in leadership positions have received Yudh Seva Medals for operational planning, and yet the awards have been restricted to those directly involved. Sixteen BSF jawans have been awarded for counter-drone, anti-infiltration, and enemy surveillance disruption along the western front.
Munir, meanwhile, has been taking medals instead of giving them away. First, he was promoted to Field Marshal in May after the conflict, despite the fact that he does not have a frontline combat role.
On August 13, Azerbaijan awarded him the Patriotic War Medal for bilateral defence cooperation, unrelated to Indo-Pakistan war performance.
According to top intelligence sources, Pakistani authorities have sidelined field commanders and frontline troops creating silent discontent within the ranks.
The sources told CNN-News18 that the decoration medals for Munir are seen internally as an attempt to craft a 'war hero" narrative to mask operational setbacks during the conflict. By rewarding himself and restricting honours to select loyalists, he has ensured that real battlefield failures and underperformance do not come into the public domain, they said.
The absence of recognition for actual combat units is causing frustration among middle-level officials, signalling a weakening command structure, the sources said. Munir's awards are less about military merit and more about consolidating personal authority within the military establishment, they said. Munir is securing influence over civilian leadership, they added.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
3 minutes ago
- India Today
Mockery of justice: CPM leader slams Centre for highlighting Savarkar over Gandhi
Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas John Brittas slammed the Centre after the official X account of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas shared an Independence Day message that highlighted VD Savarkar over Mahatma called it a 'calculated act' undermining India's secular constitution. advertisement'It is pertinent to note that Savarkar was an accused in Gandhi's assassination, though acquitted due to insufficient evidence. However, the Kapur Commission highlighted circumstantial evidence implicating Savarkar,' he wrote. 'Those who uphold the constitution should unequivocally condemn this mockery of justice and secular values,' Brittas in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reflected on India's 78 years of independence, calling it the result of citizens overcoming social and communal differences to unite in the national the country as a treasure of regional, linguistic, and communal diversity, he warned that 'reactionary forces' were trying to distort nationalism and create said these forces were branding criticism of government policies as treason, tarnishing the traditions of the national movement, and diverting attention from pressing issues by fostering communal polarization. He urged introspection on whether such trends were befitting of a nation with a 'high democratic culture.'- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
3 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Watch: PM Modi: If we hadn't been self-reliant, could we have carried out Operation Sindoor swiftly?
Watch: PM Modi: If we hadn't been self-reliant, could we have carried out Operation Sindoor swiftly?
India.com
3 minutes ago
- India.com
From Red Fort, PM Modi's Subtle Yet Stern Message To US And China's Bullying, Pakistani Threats
India's 79th Independence Day is being celebrated at a time when global uncertainty has surrounded Asia. On one hand is US President Donald Trump, who has been acting like a schoolyard bully rather than a global leader, and on the other, there is unpredictable China, which is trying to control the world's most critical resources. India is heavily dependent on China when it comes to pharmaceuticals, and the US is a key global player that cannot be ignored. Then, there is Pakistan, which has been issuing repeated threats to India. Amid this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an impactful Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, sending a message not only to Indians but also to the US, China and Pakistan. PM Modi's Self-Reliance Message Amid the export tariff row, Prime Minister Modi urged Indians to excel in fields where the country lags and make the nation self-reliant. PM Modi said, 'Dependence on others raises questions about a nation's independence. It is unfortunate when dependence becomes a habit, a dangerous one. That's why we must remain aware and committed to becoming self-reliant. Self-reliance is not just about exports, imports, the rupee, or the dollar. It is about our capabilities, our strength to stand on our own.' Also Read: PM Modi's Independence Day Message: Cut Oil, Fight Obesity, And Build A Healthier India Subtle Hint To US The United States has been keen on pushing F-35 fighter jets sale to India. However, while India announced its fifth-generation fighter jet programme months ago, PM Modi on Friday urged Indians to work towards the development of fighter jet engines, a key hurdle in for India in developing homegrown stealth aircraft. From the Red Fort, PM Modi urged every citizen, especially the youth, to take part in nation-building by innovating and producing jet engines, social media platforms, fertilisers, and other critical technologies indigenously, forging a future where India stands self-reliant, powerful, and globally respected. Notably, while a homegrown jet engine would end India's reliance on any foreign nation for fighter jets, including the US, a self-reliance in fertilisers would end dependence on China. However, homegrown social media platforms would help in fighting not only misinformation but also in helping win the narrative war, a hard lesson learnt post Operation Sindoor. Also Read: India's Own Iron Dome: PM Modi Outlines Major Plan To Make India Attack Proof With Sudharshan Chakra Shield Reducing Reliance On China Notably, India relies heavily on China for pharmaceutical raw materials and rare earth minerals. PM Modi has now urged researchers and entrepreneurs to secure patents for new drugs and medical technologies, ensuring that India not only meets its own healthcare needs but also becomes a global hub of medical self-reliance and innovation, demonstrating the country's ability to lead in science, technology, and human welfare. PM Modi urged the nation to achieve self-reliance in medicines and innovation, highlighting India's strength as the 'pharmacy of the world'. PM Modi also highlighted India's bold steps to secure resources critical for its future. Through the National Critical Minerals Mission, the country is exploring 1,200 sites to ensure access to minerals essential for energy, industry, and defence. He emphasized that controlling these minerals strengthens India's strategic autonomy, keeping its industrial and defence sectors truly self-reliant. Warning To Pakistan PM Modi hailed Operation Sindoor, conducted after the Pahalgam attack, as a demonstration of India's strategic autonomy. Using Made-in-India weapons, the operation dismantled terror networks and Pakistan-based infrastructure, signaling a new era where India will no longer accept nuclear blackmail or threats on foreign terms. On the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty, he made it unequivocally clear: 'India has now decided, blood and water will not flow together. The people have realized that the Indus Waters Treaty was unjust. Water from the Indus River system irrigated enemy lands while our farmers suffered.' This statement reaffirmed that India will no longer compromise on its national interests, and the operation underscored the country's ability to act swiftly and decisively, relying entirely on indigenous technology and defence platforms. PM Modi's remarks are seen as a response to Pakistan's war mongering comments.
