Indian aggression: 40 civilians among 51 martyrs
Forty Pakistanis, including seven women and 15 children, embraced martyrdom in unprovoked, reprehensible and dastardly Indian attacks on May 7, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.
The military's media wing said that the barbaric strikes targeting innocent civilians also injured 121 people, including 10 women and 27 children. Additionally, 11 armed forces personnel laid down their lives defending the motherland, while 78 others sustained injuries.
India launched missiles strikes on Pakistani civilian targets during the night between May 6 and 7. In response, Pakistan mounted a fierce counterattack, downing five Indian warplanes. Over the next two days, India deployed swarms of drones, all of which were successfully shot down by Pakistani forces.
On May 10, The Pakistan Armed Forces mounted a determined and proportionate retaliation under the banner of Marka-e-Haq, conducting precise and notched-up retributive strikes as part of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. These decisive actions compelled India to request a ceasefire, to which Pakistan agreed.
"These barbaric strikes resulted in the martyrdom of 40 civiliansamong them seven women and 15 childrenwhile 121 others sustained injuries, including 10 women and 27 children," the ISPR said, referring to the brutal attacks in the early hours of May 7.
"In response to this grave aggression, the Pakistan Armed Forces mounted a resolute response under the banner of Marka-e-Haq, delivering precise and intensified retributive strikes through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos," the statement said.
"While defending the motherland with exemplary valour, 11 personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces embraced martyrdom and 78 were wounded," it said. They included Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Dilawar Khan, Lance Naik Ikramullah, Naik Waqar Khalid, Sepoy Adeel Akbar and Sepoy Nisar.
According to ISPR, the martyrs from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) included Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf, Chief Technician Aurangzeb, Senior Technician Najeeb, Corporal Technician Farooq and Senior Technician Mubashir.
Tributes pour in
"The noble sacrifice of martyrs is an enduring symbol of courage, devotion, and unwavering patriotismetched forever in the nation's memory," the ISPR said. It paid "solemn tribute to the martyred civilians and military personnel" and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
"The nation remains resolute in the face of aggression. Let there be no ambiguity: any attempt to challenge Pakistan's sovereignty or territorial integrity, ever again, shall be met with a swift, full-spectrum, and decisive response Inshallah. Pakistan Zindabad - Afwaj-e-Pakistan Paindabad."
President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid glowing tribute to martyrs of Marka-e-Haq and saluted the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
They said that the entire nation offered salute to brave sons of Pakistan Army and the PAF, who rendered sacrifices for security of the motherland. They expressed grief over the loss of precious lives, including children and women, during the Indian attacks.
"Our brave forces shattered the enemy's arrogance through 'Operation Bunyanum Marsoos', the president said in a statement. India's blatant aggression has further united and strengthened the Pakistani people," he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also underscored that through 'Operation Bunyanum Marsoos', Pakistani Armed Forces shattered India's fantasy of having numerical strength and arrogance. "Our valiant officers and soldiers fulfilled their promise made with the nation to protect the motherland," he added.
Prime Minister expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of 40 innocent civilians, including 15 children and seven women due to Indian aggression. He prayed for the quick recovery of those sustained injuries.
Compensation package
In a major policy announcement on Monday, Shehbaz said that families of civilians martyred during the operation would receive Rs10 million each, while injured civilians would be granted between Rs1 to 2 million each, depending on the severity of injuries.
For the martyred military personnel, the government would provide Rs10 million to Rs18 million to families, based on rank. Additionally, based on rank, Rs19 million to Rs42 million would be given as housing assistance to the martyrs' families.
Families of the martyrs would continue to receive full salary and allowances until their scheduled retirement date; besides the children of the martyred soldiers would be entitled to free education up to graduation, and one daughter of each martyr would receive Rs1 million marriage grant.
The prime minister said that the military personnel injured during the operation would receive between Rs2 million and Rs5 million each. He further announced that the federal government would bear the expenses of the treatment for all the wounded individuals, both civilian and military.
In addition to individual support, Shehbaz said, the government will also undertake the reconstruction of all homes and mosques damaged or destroyed in the Indian strikes. "The responsibility of supporting the children of martyrs lies with the government, Shehbaz said. "We will fulfil this duty."
Shehbaz also announced that all individuals who rendered services in the country's defence during the operationregardless of rank or rolewill be officially recognised at the national level and honoured with awards.
(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)