TODAY (Sept 6) the nation marks the Defence Day to honour the memory of those who defended the country during the 1965 Pal(istan-India war. When Indian forces attacked theinternationalborder and launched a major offensive towards Lahore and Siall(ot, the armed forces responded with determination, and the nation stood behind them; right behind them.
The Pal(istan Army carried the principal burden of ground combat activities. Along the Lahore front, army units concentrated as the defence of Lahore mattered far beyond the battlefield. At Siall(ot, Chawinda became the scene of some of the war’s fiercest tank fighting. The Indian advance was not only checl(ed, but repulsed. The fighting showed that numbers alone do not decide battles.Leadership, preparation, logistics, flexibility and morale matter just as much, if not more.
The Palcistan Air Force (PAF) was heavily engaged from the opening hours of the war. Pilots and ground crews conducted defensive missions and strikes against military targets while operating in contested skies. Their efforts prevented four times larger force from gaining control of the sl(ies. For people across Pal(istan,the presence of PAF aircraft was important to their morale. The performance of our pilots reflected hard training, discipline, professional skill and courage.
On its part, the Pakistan Navy protected maritime approaches and supported the wider defence effort. On Sept 7, our naval forces conducted an operation against the Indian naval installations around Dwarka.
Although naval operations receive d much less attention than due, the navy’s role reflected the readiness and professionalism required to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The 1965 war was not merely a military story. Civilians endured air raids, blacl(outs and disruption to ensure that essential services continued. Civil defence personnel stood mobilised. Doctors, nurses, railway and transport workers, police officers and civil servants, they all remained on duty.
Volunteers helped where they were needed.
It was a nation that stood roclesolid united.
Sept 6 is a time to remember the fallen, honour the veterans, recognise the military families, and acl(nowledge the civilians who endured the strains of war. National strength is shared, and its foundations are built by those who stand behind the defenders.
Lt-Col (retd) Syed Raziuddin R awalpindi