Latest news with #OperationBunyan-um-Marsoos
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Asim Munir's grip on power deepens Pakistan's militarisation
ISLAMABAD: In a country long dominated by its military, the ascent of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan's political and security trajectory. Promoted to the rare five-star rank in May 2025 following a military standoff with India, Munir has emerged as the most consequential figure in Pakistan today, with influence extending well beyond the barracks. Although official denials persist about any presidential ambitions, Munir's prominence has fuelled speculation about the military's expanding footprint in civilian affairs. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have publicly emphasised 'mutual respect' among Pakistan's top power centres, while military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry recently dismissed rumours of Munir eyeing the presidency as 'nonsense'. But many observers note that such assertions only underline the imbalance of power between the elected govt and the military establishment. As army chief — his term extended until 2027 — Munir presides over Pakistan's most powerful institution. Analysts often describe him as the de facto leader, with parliament, the presidency, judiciary, and media seen as operating within parameters set by GHQ Rawalpindi. Munir's promotion to field marshal came in the wake of 'Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos', Pakistan's military response to India's 'Operation Sindoor', which followed the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buahbatu: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Domestically, Munir's rise has coincided with a sweeping crackdown on dissent. Former PM Imran Khan remains imprisoned since May 2023 on charges his supporters and international rights groups call politically motivated. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was barred from contesting the Feb 2024 general elections, described by critics as engineered to bring a pliant coalition of the PML-Nawaz and the PPP to power. Thousands of PTI workers remain behind bars, and media organisations operate under heavy censorship. The judiciary, too, has faced pressure, particularly judges who questioned election irregularities or challenged military influence. With Pakistan's economy under stress, inflation soaring, and insurgencies simmering in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, analysts suggest that Munir's confrontational stance towards India may serve as a rallying point to consolidate public support and distract from internal challenges. The sidelining of political voices —like Khan — has left a vacuum increasingly filled by hardline security narratives. For India, Munir's ascent to five-star rank is more than a ceremonial gesture. It reflects Pakistan's continued reliance on military leadership in both domestic and foreign policy arenas. As Islamabad's power structure tilts further toward Rawalpindi, India faces the prospect of engaging with a neighbour where strategic decisions are increasingly shaped not by elected civilians but by generals who command from behind the scenes.
Business Recorder
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Eidul Azha celebration with troops: Field Marshal visits forward positions along LoC
RAWALPINDI: Field Marshal Asim Munir visited forward positions along the Line of Control (LoC) to celebrate Eidul Azha with frontline troops. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the visit commenced with Eid prayers, during which special supplications were made for Pakistan's enduring peace, stability, and prosperity as well as for martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the defence of their motherland. Extending warm Eid greetings to the officers and soldiers, the Field Marshal commended their unwavering commitment, professional excellence, and steadfast service in the face of persistent challenges. The COAS expressed that celebrating Eid on the frontline away from their families serves the superior national purpose of defending the motherland at all costs throughout the year. Field Marshal Asim Munir lauded the formation's exemplary performance during Marka-e-Haq, Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and paid solemn tribute to the martyrs and Ghazis whose sacrifices continue to fortify the nation's security and resolve. COAS said, 'You have befittingly avenged the loss of lives of innocent Pakistani civilians including children, women and elderly through your bold and effective response.' While interacting with troops, COAS expressed deep appreciation for their high morale, exceptional operational readiness, and resolute vigilance in responding effectively to Indian ceasefire violations. He reiterated complete confidence in the battle preparedness of the armed forces to decisively deter and defeat any act of aggression. Underscoring Pakistan's principled stance, the Field Marshal affirmed that the just and valiant struggle of the Kashmiri people against Indian occupation will never be forgotten. He emphasized the need for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with the aspirations of its people and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Upon arrival at the LoC, the COAS was received by the Commander, Rawalpindi Corps.
Hans India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Gen Chauhan's candour vs Pakistan's bluster and grandstanding
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Anil Chauhan, has succinctly described how Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos 'folded in eight hours' on May 10. In a bid to counter India's Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched Marsoos with the aim 'to get India to its knees in 48 hours... They escalated this conflict... We actually hit only terror targets.' When they failed to achieve their target, 'they picked up the telephone and said they wanted to talk.' Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, he did not shy away from admitting India's setbacks in the initial phase of the conflict. He acknowledged that India lost fighter jets on the opening day due to tactical miscalculations. He emphasised the importance of learning from them. 'What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being downed,' he noted, adding that the Indian Air Force swiftly identified the errors, rectified them, and resumed high-risk, long-range operations with precision targeting deep inside Pakistani territory. This ability to adapt quickly and regain operational dominance speaks volumes about the professionalism and preparedness of the Indian military. The revised tactics yielded significant success: key terror hideouts, air defence systems, and logistical hubs in Pakistan-occupied territory were struck with accuracy, sending a clear message about India's willingness and capacity to act against state-sponsored terrorism. In stark contrast to General Chauhan's measured and honest appraisal, Pakistan's military and political establishment has taken the familiar route of denial, bluster, and grandstanding. Rather than acknowledging the losses suffered—both in terms of military assets and strategic credibility—Islamabad and Rawalpindi have declared victory. Celebrations of their so-called success have been rife with falsehoods and propaganda, ignoring the reality on the ground. This is part of a deeper malaise within the Pakistani establishment: an inability to accept military and diplomatic setbacks, especially when they are self-inflicted. The gap between Pakistan's public narrative and the operational truth is not new. This pattern of distortion was seen during the Kargil War, the Balakot strikes, and numerous skirmishes along the Line of Control. This time, too, the same script is being followed - denial of military losses, exaggeration of India's setbacks, and a desperate attempt to control domestic opinion through state-run media and selective international outreach. However, the Indian military and diplomatic establishment must remain vigilant. Complacency is not an option. Pakistan's failure in Operation Marsoos does not signal a long-term retreat from its aggressive posturing. If anything, such setbacks could push its military towards even more reckless adventurism in the future, especially as internal instability in Pakistan increases. The key takeaway from this confrontation is the importance of readiness, adaptability, and strategic clarity. India demonstrated all three—quickly addressing early tactical issues, executing deep-strike capabilities without escalating into a full-scale war, and maintaining international credibility by sticking to legitimate counter-terror objectives. Chauhan's comments serve as both a report card and a reminder: India's armed forces are capable of delivering swift and calibrated responses, but the threats posed by a revisionist and denialist Pakistan remain ever-present. As such, both India's defence and diplomatic establishments must continue to strengthen capabilities, reinforce deterrence, and build international partnerships to isolate and counter state-sponsored terror—firmly and without pause. While there are few, if any, concerns about the military, the same cannot be said about Indian diplomacy; the latter needs to be revamped.
Mint
04-06-2025
- General
- Mint
Pakistan acknowledges India struck 7 additional targets in Operation Sindoor: Here's what it reveals
A newly released Pakistani document has revealed previously undisclosed details about India's precision strikes during last month's four-day clashes, identifying at least seven previously unknown targets. The document lists Indian strikes in Peshawar (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Attock, Bahawalnagar, Chhor, Hyderabad (Sindh), Gujrat, and Jhang (Punjab). According to a report by Hindustan Times, Bahawalnagar hosts an army cantonment, while Gujrat district houses Pakistan's largest cantonment in Kharian. In Jhang district, the Shorkot cantonment lies adjacent to the Rafiqui airbase, which was also targeted by Indian missile strikes. The Desert Warfare School of the Pakistan Army is based in the Chhor cantonment, and Hyderabad similarly contains a military cantonment, Hindustan Times reported. These disclosures were part of Pakistan's report on Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, launched in response to India's Operation Sindoor. Following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, India conducted calibrated strikes on 7 May, targeting four terror hubs in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These precision strikes were aimed at dismantling cross-border terror infrastructure while deliberately avoiding Pakistani military bases and civilian areas. The targets included the Sawai Nala camp in Muzaffarabad, the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters at Markaz Taiba in Muridke, and the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur. In response to Pakistan's escalation, marked by missile attacks and drone swarms directed at Indian military bases and civilian locations, the Indian Air Force retaliated by striking at least nine Pakistani airbases and four military radar installations. On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and Pakistan had reached an agreement to cease all military actions and firing across land, air, and sea with immediate effect. New Delhi has asserted that India's intense retaliatory strikes on the same day compelled Pakistan to seek an end to the hostilities. India and Pakistan agreed to stop military action following a call made by Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to his Indian counterpart.
Mint
04-06-2025
- General
- Mint
Pakistan acknowledges India strikes 7 additional targets in Operation Sindoor. What it reveals
A newly released Pakistani document has revealed previously undisclosed details about India's precision strikes during last month's four-day clashes, identifying at least seven previously unknown targets. The document lists Indian strikes in Peshawar (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), Attock, Bahawalnagar, Chhor and Hyderabad (Sindh), as well as Gujrat and Jhang (Punjab). According to a report by Hindustan Times, Bahawalnagar hosts an army cantonment, while Gujrat district houses Pakistan's largest cantonment in Kharian. In Jhang district, the Shorkot cantonment lies adjacent to the Rafiqui airbase, which was also targeted by Indian missile strikes. The Desert Warfare School of the Pakistan Army is based in the Chhor cantonment, and Hyderabad similarly contains a military cantonment, Hindustan Times reported. These disclosures were part of Pakistan's report on Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, launched in response to India's Operation Sindoor. Following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, India conducted calibrated strikes on May 7, targeting four terror hubs in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These precision strikes were aimed at dismantling cross-border terror infrastructure while deliberately avoiding Pakistani military bases and civilian areas. The targets included the Sawai Nala camp in Muzaffarabad, the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters at Markaz Taiba in Muridke, and the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur. In response to Pakistan's escalation—marked by missile attacks and drone swarms directed at Indian military bases and civilian locations—the Indian Air Force retaliated by striking at least nine Pakistani airbases and four military radar installations.
