President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and civilians martyred in recent Indian attacks, vowing that the nation stood united and prepared to defend its sovereignty at all costs.
In his statement, President Zardari condemned “India’s blatant aggression” and said the violence had only strengthened the resolve of the Pakistani people.
“We are proud of the sacrifices of our martyrs. Our brave forces have successfully defended the nation and the country’s integrity,” Zardari said, referring to Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, which he said shattered the “enemy’s arrogance.”
He expressed condolences to the families of those martyred, including women and children, and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
“The people and armed forces of Pakistan are always ready to thwart any aggression and will give a crushing response to every attack on our national security,” Zardari added.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Pakistan armed forces had “fulfilled their promise” to the nation by protecting the homeland and confronting Indian military actions with full force.
“We not only defended the country but ensured that the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan remained unscathed,” he said. “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos made it clear to India that it must respect the sovereignty of other nations.”
Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the five personnel of the Pakistan Air Force and six officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army who were martyred. He also expressed grief over the loss of 40 innocent civilians, including 15 children and seven women, during the Indian strikes.
“We have not forgotten the martyrs of the nation, nor will we do so, and their families will never be left alone,” the prime minister stated.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the families of the martyrs and confirmed that a state-backed Martyrs’ Package had been announced.
“We are a peaceful nation, but we know how to respond to any aggression,” Shehbaz Sharif said, calling Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos a clear demonstration of Pakistan’s readiness and resolve.
Both leaders called for unity in the face of aggression and reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to uphold the country’s territorial integrity and protect its citizens.
40 civilians, 11 troops martyred in Indian aggression: ISPR
At least 51 people, including 40 civilians and 11 military personnel, were martyred during India’s cross-border attacks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistani territory, Pakistan’s military said, calling the attacks “unprovoked and reprehensible”.
The casualties occurred during a military escalation on the night of May 6 and 7, during which Indian forces deliberately targeted residential areas, including women, children, and the elderly, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
“These barbaric strikes resulted in the martyrdom of 40 civilians — among them 7 women and 15 children,” the ISPR said. At least 121 others were injured, including 10 women and 27 children.
The ISPR said 11 personnel of the Pakistan armed forces were also killed in action while defending the region. Seventy-eight others were wounded.
“The armed forces mounted a resolute response… delivering precise and measured retaliation,” the statement added.
