KARACHI: Several programmes were held on Wednesday to commemorate the 1965 war and the most significant day of that conflict, September 6 or Defence Day of Pakistan, when the armed forces foiled the enemy’s designs of marching into this country.

Rich tributes were also paid to the war heroes who returned home as ghazi and the shuhada, or martyred sons and daughters of the soil whose families proudly spoke about them as they celebrated their lives.

Though the sophisticated arms, weapons and state-of-the-art equipment of today’s armed forces are not the same as what the war heroes in 1965 had when defending the motherland, the spirit and valour is still unmatched as seen during the demonstrations, parades and flypasts.

Army

The day in the city began early at the Malir Garrison with the splendid and customary army parade. Malir Garrison Commander Major General Zahid Mahmood was the chief guest on the occasion. Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa’s message was also read out ahead of the parade.

Despite the early hours, the occasion was graced by a large number of families, including excited children who patiently waited for the parade to commence. Lined on both sides of the road were chairs for them all but it was difficult to remain seated as many stood up and stretched their necks to see how far away the marching men were from them.

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Of course, the best seats happened to be the ones on either side of the reviewing stand, where various civilian legends who have done the nation proud in their own right were also present. Big vehicles, including army jeeps, pulled up as family members of officers poured out.

“This was never done when we were younger,” said an elderly woman sitting across from the reviewing stand. “These vehicles are for people in uniform only,” she said.

Meanwhile, classic national songs played in the background with intermittent stories from the 1965 war. Finally, the battalions with different colour caps — green, red, blue and black — and feathers marched in chanting their particular slogans. An elderly woman’s retired husband in plainclothes then stood up in his seat shouting at the top of his voice “Sada jeo” at the marching men as he gave them a thumbs up signal.

The army band played on as the tanks, followed by the artillery, the cavalry with the engineers, electrical and mechanical corps, army air defence, signals, army service corps and medical corps passed by. Of course, the major attraction came after that in the form of the flypast. That was when everyone gazed skywards and the planes and helicopters did not disappoint.

Pakistan Air Force

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) celebrated Defence Day with traditional fervour at all their bases and installations.

In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said the unprecedented challenges facing the country called for reviving the same spirit of nationhood that was seen in 1965.

The change of guards ceremony at the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam saw aviation cadets from the Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan, assuming the guard duties. Air Vice Marshal Imran Khalid, Air Officer Commanding, PAF Academy Asghar Khan laid a wreath at the grave of the Father of the Nation.

At PAF Base Masroor here, PAF’s fighter aircraft, including F-16, JF-17 Thunder, Mirage and F-7 PG, performed aerobatics to pay tribute to the warriors of the 1965 and 1971 wars. Students from Fazaia schools and colleges presented national songs.

Navy

Pakistan Navy organised an action-packed demonstration at the Seaview beach, where the Nishan-i-Pakistan venue and park served as the reviewing stand where officers and their families with Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief guest on the occasion, stood.

There was a counterterrorism demonstration, a demonstration involving terrorists, hostages, commandos of the PN’s special services group, helicopters and hovercraft highlighting coordinated assault and rescue manoeuvres, including wet winching, a flypast, including the PN’s P-3C Orion aircraft, helicopter aerobics, free fall jumps, sailing boats and the Navy band playing national tunes, which kept the spectators absolutely engrossed in the goings-on.

The paratroopers opened up their colourful parachutes that brightened up the sky, the expert commentators explained that usually the parachutes were black as all the actual action took place in the dead of the night. Colours, including that from the orange, blue, green and yellow smoke flares, were only for the benefit of the spectators. Each paratrooper, including men from the PN’s Sea Eagle Force, army’s Shahbaz SSGs and PAF’s Shahpar skydivers, also carried their different command flags. But the last one to come had a Pakistan flag. As his matching parachute approached the drop zone, others were ready to not let the star and crescent banner touch the ground. It was later folded neatly and presented to the CM.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah in his message on the day paid tribute to the ghazi and shuhada who rendered immense sacrifices while the nation stood united behind its soldiers, sailors and airmen.

The admiral reiterated that the PN was playing a vital role in strengthening maritime and coastal security through various initiatives, including raising of a dedicated Task Force-88 as well as Coastal Security and Harbour Defence Force. Besides, Pakistan Navy is also playing its due role as part of Operation Raddul Fasaad in collaboration with the army, the PAF and other law enforcement agencies in combating security challenges on the internal front.

Commander of Coast Rear Admiral Abdul Aleem also paid rich tributes to the ones who sacrificed their today for our tomorrow.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2017