Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Asim Munir, on Sunday described last year’s four-day conflict with India as a “battle between two ideologies” while claiming that Pakistan’s military strategy proved superior during the hostilities. Speaking at a ceremony held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to mark the first anniversary of “Marka-e-Haq,” the title Islamabad uses for the conflict, Munir said Pakistan responded with unity and military preparedness during the escalation.
The remarks came nearly a year after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Indian officials stated at the time that precision airstrikes were carried out against nine identified locations linked to militant activity, resulting in the elimination of at least 100 terrorists.
Pakistan responded with retaliatory military action during the four-day confrontation, though Indian authorities maintained that most incoming strikes were intercepted or neutralized by its armed forces. The hostilities ended on May 10, 2025, after communication between senior military officials through an established hotline mechanism led to an understanding on halting further military action.
During his address, Munir alleged that India violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during the operation and claimed that Pakistan responded with “full national unity and military force.” He described the confrontation as more than a conventional military exchange, stating it represented a larger ideological struggle between the two countries.
Munir further claimed that Pakistan had struck 26 targets during the conflict, though he did not provide supporting evidence or operational details regarding those claims. He also repeated Islamabad’s position that India had approached the United States seeking a ceasefire, while India has consistently maintained that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations initiated the communication requesting an end to the hostilities.
The Pakistan army chief also focused on the evolving nature of warfare, saying future military conflicts would increasingly involve multi-domain operations incorporating technology, cyber capabilities, and advanced weapon systems. He said Pakistan was strengthening its military readiness through training, modernization, and strategic acquisitions, including Hangor-class submarines, fighter aircraft, and the development of a Rocket Force.
Munir stated that Pakistan desired peace in the region but would maintain what he described as a credible deterrence capability to protect national interests. On the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, India reiterated its commitment to defending itself against cross-border terrorism and pledged continued efforts to strengthen international cooperation against terror networks operating in the region.
