ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday saluted the brave sons of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force who sacrificed their lives for the country’s security.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, said India’s blatant aggression had further united and strengthened the Pakistani people, and that the entire nation and its armed forces were always ready to respond to India’s hostility.
He paid tribute to those martyred as a result of unprovoked Indian aggression against Pakistan and said that the entire nation saluted the brave sons of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) who sacrificed their lives for the country’s security. He expressed grief over the loss of precious lives, including children and women, during the Indian attacks.
He also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayed for their patience and strength, and swift recovery of the injured.
“We are proud of the sacrifices of our martyrs. Our brave forces have successfully defended the nation and the country’s integrity. Through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, our brave forces shattered the enemy’s arrogance,” he added.
India’s illusion
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, paid tribute to the martyrs, of what he had described as “Youm-i-Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth Day) and said through the Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, Pakistan’s armed forces shattered India’s illusion of numerical strength and arrogance.
The prime minister saluted the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
He paid tribute to five officers and personnel of the PAF and six officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army who were martyred while defending the homeland.
Expressing grief over the martyrdom of 40 innocent civilians, including 15 children and seven women, as a result of Indian aggression, he said: “We have not forgotten the martyrs of the nation, nor will we do so, and their families will never be left alone.”
“We not only defended the country with full force but also ensured that the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan remained unscathed. The brave officers and soldiers of the Pakistan armed forces fulfilled their promise to the nation to protect the motherland,” he added.
PM Shehbaz reiterated that a “Martyrs’ Package” had already been announced and the state would fully support the martyrs’ families.
He prayed to the Allah Almighty for elevation of the martyrs’ ranks, patience for their families and early recovery of the injured.
