Defence Day is celebrated as a resolve of Pakistani Nation to defend the territorial integrity of its motherland from external and internal aggression while preserving the Ideology of Pakistan. Commonly celebrated on 6th September to commemorate the great sacrifices rendered by Pakistan armed forces against the Indian display of its military, the Defence Day actually denotes each and every occasion when Pakistani armed forces defeated an enemy far greater in strength and weapons. Defence Day is also observed to honor the martyrs of Pakistan armed forces who have laid their lives in the guard of their homeland and became a symbol of courage, valor, and heroism for the next generations to come.
Background of the War
Since the creation of Pakistan, India has always been conspiring to weaken the newly born state by employing all available means at its disposal. Misconstrued by its military India once again proceeded to challenge the integrity of the Pakistani nation by attacking West Pakistan in 1965. This war which is said to be 17 days long witnessed thousands of casualties on both sides and is considered to be the largest tank battle since WWII. Indian Generals had fantasized to swiftly separate the comparatively small and ill-equipped Pakistan Army and have dinner at Lahore Gymkhana. To their surprise, the entire Pakistani nation rose against this act of external aggression and fought side by side its armed forces to defend each and every inch of its motherland. The Indian strategists had wrongly appreciated the center of gravity of Pakistan as lying only in its Armed Forces whereas it actually lied in the unanimous support of the entire Pakistani nation for its armed forces.
Honour of Defence Day
Each and every soldier of the armed forces proved to be a hero with the exceptional support of Pakistani nation. Many soldiers sacrificed their life to serve their homeland and were rewarded for their services. Some of the names include:
- Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (Nishan e Haider)
- Major Muhammad Akram (Nishan e Haider)
- MM Alam (Sitara e Jurat)
- Cecil Chaudry (Sitara e Jurat)
- Air Vice-Marshal Eric Gordon Hall (Sitara e Jurat)
- Major General Iftikhar Janjua (Hilal e Jurat)
- Lieutenant General Abdul Malik
To this day hundreds of young, brilliant, and courageous brave men of Pak armed forces lose their lives in tens of operations and warfare conflicts while serving the country. Nation salutes the services of Pak armed forces and their ghazis and martyrs. Happy Defence Day to all the citizens of Pakistan.
