Fizza Shakir
Defence Day, also known as Yaum-e-Difa, is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day on 6th of September each year to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of our committed soldiers in defending the borders of our beloved homeland against the brutal Indian aggression of 1965. 6th of September 1965 marked the day when Indian troops crossed the international border to launch an attack on Pakistani Punjab, in retaliation of Pakistan’s Operation Grand Slam targeting Jammu.
The Indo-Pak war of 1965 was the second military clash between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir, which has been an ‘unfinished agenda’ of the partition of Indian Subcontinent in 1947. Despite the United Nations’ resolution to hold a plebiscite in Jammu & Kashmir to afford its people an opportunity to express their free will to join India or Pakistan, India has shown stubborn disregard for international order despite the passage of more than seven decades now.
Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam in May 1965 to liberate the oppressed Kashmiris from the clutches of Indian-occupied forces. Pakistani forces launched a tank attack on Kashmir Valley on 1st of September 1965. Baffled by rapid Pakistani advances in Kashmir, the Indian army decided to retaliate by opening a new war front on 6th of September 1965. They crossed Pakistan’s Wahga border in Lahore, aiming to cut off the grand trunk (GT) road near Lahore and capture Lahore cantonment. But Pakistani soldiers fought valiantly to protect the beloved motherland.
No one gave up and fought till their last breath. In this war, 3000 Indian soldiers were killed and 3,800 Pakistani soldiers were martyred. Though Pakistan had suffered more casualties, it still didn’t give up and fought bravely till the end. Both countries claimed victory and the war ended with a ceasefire mandated by the United Nations.
Despite all the sacrifices and deaths of our heroic soldiers, Pakistan was successfully protected by its fearless men. Major Raja Aziz Bhatti received Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest military award, for his bravery and courage in the war. He led his company against the Indian forces and refused to evacuate despite injuries.
We Pakistanis celebrate this day to flashback on the valiant sacrifices of our proud soldiers who gave their precious lives to ensure a better future for us. This day is called Pakistan’s Defence Day as our army was successful in defending the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan.
In the Defence Day parade, Pakistan Army displays its latest missiles, tanks, guns, Army Aviation helicopters, and armaments being used by Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical (EME) Corps, Army Air Defense, Signals, Army Service Corps, and Army Medical Corps. Citizens are allowed to watch such functions live by going to specific places. These shows are also broadcast on national TV channels. National songs, special documentaries about 06 September 1965, and the heroic stories of people martyred that day are displayed on TV. On this day, a change of guard ceremony takes place at Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi, where cadets of Pakistan Air Force Academy present a Guard of Honour and take charge.
We all should pray for the safety, progress and prosperity of our beloved homeland Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad!
Fizza Shakir
