Each year on September 6th, Pakistan observes “Defence Day” or “Youm-e-Difa” as a national holiday in honor of the victory. We commemorate the lives lost in the 1965 war between India and Pakistan and the victorious defense of Lahore, Sialkot, and other strategic locations. The primary reason for commemorating this day is to honor the memory of those who died fighting for Pakistan. The Kashmir dispute, which sparked a war between Pakistan and India, has yet to be resolved. Many lives were lost, but the day it was finally won is today commemorated as Defence Day in Pakistan.
On September 6, 1965, our enemy launched an attack against our borders with the intention of invading the areas that were attacked. In India-occupied Kashmir, this operation was a retaliation to impede the advance of Pakistani armed forces. They focused their attacks mostly on the areas around Lahore, Sialkot, and the desert regions of Sindh. Both sides eventually agreed to a ceasefire that was mediated by the United Nations on September 22, 1965, which brought an end to the conflict.
Not only were the regions that were assaulted successfully defended, but also the lives and homes of hundreds upon thousands of people have been preserved thanks to the efforts of our soldiers. As a consequence of this, we have an obligation to show honor and respect to every member of our nation’s armed forces who laid down their lives so that our families, friends, and fellow citizens might continue to live without fear. This respect and honor should also be extended to all of the military men who risked their lives in support of our martyrs and survived to tell the story.
Many of our national heroes were honored for their bravery and courage with medals and decorations. Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was recognized for his remarkable contribution to the defence of the Lahore Bedian region in 1965 by receiving the Nishan-i-Haider, the military’s highest medal. He is one of just a small number of other valiant and courageous military soldiers who have been granted the same honor despite being slain in various conflicts and fights. They made the supreme sacrifice of their lives by giving their lives in order to protect Pakistan.
It is also a day to reaffirm our commitment to being a strong and proud country and to the idea that we will not be frightened by any other nation, regardless of how powerful it may be. This commitment is renewed every year on Defense Day. All of these things, and much more, are symbolized by our armed forces. It reflects the fighting spirit, courage, and tactical brilliance of the great country of Pakistan, which has a long history of military prowess. And Defense Day is the day to honor and remember all of that so that we may be strong and send the appropriate message to the young and children of the nation.
On Defence Day, communities across the nation come together to celebrate the nation’s armed forces by holding military parades and other events. Military parades often include displays of the most recent and cutting-edge military technology as well as advancements in military tactics. Additionally, test launches of recently designed weapons may take place on this day at times. These activities have, as their overarching purpose, the commemoration of our nation’s war heroes and the demonstration of our might on the battlefield. In addition, the social media and television platforms that we operate contribute in some way to accomplishing that goal.
Every Pakistan should be proud of our nation’s strong armed forces and the constitutional responsibility they have to protect our physical borders and our safety. While our economy is struggling, we are safeguarded from potential attacks by what is widely considered to be one of the strongest armed forces in Asia. By honoring our nation’s military veterans, we can show our gratitude for everything they did for us.
However, our armed forces not only fight for our country while we’re at war but also help us when we’re not. In the aftermath of natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, etc., the armed forces also frequently engage in humanitarian efforts and offer national relief services.