RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, while snubbing India for its false claims of any external assistance to Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, has termed the insinuations in this regard as irresponsible, factually incorrect and a shoddy attempt to play ‘camp politics’.
“Insinuations regarding external support in Pakistan’s successful Operation Bunyanum Marsoos are irresponsible and factually incorrect and reflect a chronic reluctance to acknowledge indigenous capability and institutional resilience developed over decades of strategic prudence,” the COAS said.
Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday visited the National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad where he addressed the graduating officers of the National Security and War Course, comprising participants from all services.
He noted that India’s inability to achieve its stated military objectives during Operation Sindoor—and the subsequent attempt to rationalise this shortfall through convoluted logic—speaks volumes about its lack of operational readiness and strategic foresight.
“Naming other states as participants in the purely bilateral military conflagration is also a shoddy attempt at playing camp politics and desperately trying that India remains the beneficiary of larger geopolitical contestation as the so-called net security provider in a region which is getting increasingly weary of its hegemonic and extremist Hindutva ideology,” the Field Marshal maintained.
In contrast to India’s strategic behaviour resting on parochial self-alignment, the COAS said Pakistan has forged lasting partnerships based on principled diplomacy, anchored in mutual respect and peace, establishing itself to be a stabiliser in the region.
The Field Marshal reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance that any misadventure or attempts to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty or violation of territorial integrity will continue to be reflexively met with a swift, and resolute response without any constraints or inhibitions. “Any attempt to target our population centres, military bases, economic hubs and ports will instantly invoke a ‘deeply hurting and more than reciprocal response,” he said.
He also warned that the onus of escalation would squarely lie on the strategically blind arrogant aggressor who fails to see the grave repercussions of such provocative actions against a sovereign nuclear state.
The COAS remarked that wars are not won through media rhetoric, imported fancy hardware, or political sloganeering, but through faith, professional competence, operational clarity, institutional strength and national resolve.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, expressing full confidence in the professionalism, morale and readiness of the battle hardened Armed Forces of Pakistan, urged the graduating officers to remain steadfast in the values of integrity, selfless service, and unwavering commitment to the nation.
In his address, the Army Chief highlighted the evolving character of warfare and underscored the centrality of mental preparedness, operational clarity, and institutional professionalism in navigating complex strategic issues.
He lauded the role of premier institutions like the NDU in enhancing civil-military synergy and nurturing future leadership capable of mitigating hybrid, conventional and sub-conventional threats with poise and resolve. On arrival, the COAS was warmly received by the NDU president.
Meanwhile, the Indian government, under intense internal pressure, has officially acknowledged the heavy toll suffered during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and announced that 100 fallen troops will be honoured posthumously.
The recognition includes four fighter pilots and five S-400 air defense system operators. The conflict erupted on May 7 after India launched missile strikes against Pakistan, blaming it for an attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir.
Over four days, Pakistan’s armed forces responded with decisive force, targeting key Indian military installations and causing significant damage. Initially, Narendra Modi’s government attempted to downplay the losses to avoid public backlash.
However, sources confirm that internal criticism and media pressure forced India to finally admit the scale of its casualties and award military honours.
The Indian security officials say that over 250 soldiers died along the Line of Control (LoC), including seven Indian Air Force members, five from the 10th Infantry Brigade, and nine troops from the 93rd Infantry Brigade headquarters.
Among those to be honoured by the Indian government are three Rafale fighter jet pilots, two personnel from Rajouri Aviation Base, and five operators of the S-400 system killed at Adampur Airbase.
Several others who were posted at Udhampur Airbase and the Uri Supply Depot and were killed in Pakistan’s effective response, would also be recognised for their service.
