PAF displayed its unmatched capability, resilience, dominance in Marka-e-Haq, says air chief
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu addressing a ceremony on the occasion of completion of one year of Marka-e-Haq at Air Headquarters in Islamabad. PHOTO: RADIOPAK
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Thursday said that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) displayed its capability, resilience, and dominance in Marka-e-Haq, upholding the glorious legacy being second to none, Radio Pakistan reported.
The term “Marka-e-Haq” refers to the 2025 conflict with India, which began with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and concluded with a ceasefire on May 10 following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
Addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the completion of one year of Marka-e-Haq at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, the air chief marshal said Pakistan's resounding success was the outcome of a unified approach by all elements of the national power and the blessings of God Almighty.
He mentioned that PAF conducted a full-spectrum multi-domain operation for the first time in the history of air warfare. He said the world was stunned to witness this superb execution of the PAF operation that was excellently choreographed and flawlessly executed, adding that the PAF attacked many high-value and high-visibility targets.
پاکستان کے سائبرشاہینوں نے دشمن کی سائبرسکیورٹی کو تباہ کردیا۔بھارتی فضائیہ کو بھی عبرتناک شکست دیتے ہوئے دنیا کے سرفہرست لڑاکاطیاروں کو خاک میں ملادیا۔
معرکہ حق کی کامیابی کا ایک سال مکمل ہونے پر ایئر ہیڈکوارٹرز اسلام آباد میں تقریب سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے ایئرچیف مارشل… pic.twitter.com/AHVh7zWuE9The air chief said that Pakistan’s cyber “Shaheens” have destroyed the enemy’s cyber security and, while delivering a humiliating defeat to the Indian Air Force (IAF), brought down some of the world’s top fighter jets, state broadcaster PTV reported.
He said we disrupted the enemy's power and transport system, crippled its critical operational installations, shot down most modern Rafale jets, and destroyed a state-of-the-art S-400 battery. He said the enemy was literally on its knees long before we could imagine.
Read: Ishaq Dar calls Marka-e-Haq a symbol of national unity, courage
The air chief said that at the core of this success was Pakistan Air Force's homegrown kill chain that seamlessly integrated all our operational elements into a single formidable force package. Sidhu said PAF could have gone further, but "we exercised responsibility and well-calibrated force application."
Looking ahead, the air chief said we remain singularly focused on preparing hard for future challenges. He mentioned that a range of capabilities at the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park are expanding at an unprecedented pace. He said a host of indigenous projects are in the pipeline and they are vigorously being pursued.
He added that the exemplary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir played an important role in securing victory, and that the country’s leadership made it possible to achieve these successes.
He concluded that the PAF will always live up to the expectations of the brave and resilient people of Pakistan, assuring that the PAF will remain a symbol of pride for the nation.
Pahalgam attack and Marka-e-Haq
On April 22, 2025, escalation between Pakistan and India began when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame.
Read More: Pak efforts keep ceasefire alive
In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day, on April 23, 2025, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies.
Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, 2025, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.
On May 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense overnight diplomatic efforts. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.