Fifty years on from the war of 1965, Pakistanis still retain the spirit and honour the memories of the brave Jawans who fought to protect their borders from the enemy’s designs.

But what does the war mean to the current generation of Pakistanis and has the nation forgotten the lessons learnt from that conflict? To find out, Dawn asked madressah, school and college students, as well as their teachers, what Defence Day means to them.

Hamza Islam

Jamia Salfia, H-8 (Affiliated with Ahle Hadith school of thought), Age 14

I don’t know the importance of September 6. I do recall that there was some fight on this day. Who fought? I really don’t know as I am new to the madressah.

Ghiyas Kiani

Jamia Salfia, H-8, Age 25

September 6 is affiliated with Defence Day and we should all pray on this day as the sacrifice of our brave and courageous soldiers has made Pakistan a nuclear state. I do not know how the war started in 1965, but one possible reason could be that India wanted to take control of our nuclear weapons. I cannot recall where the war was fought but we won it.

Abdul Rehman

Jamia Salfia, H-8, Age 25

The celebration of September 6 is linked to the 1965 war between India and Pakistan and we call it Defence day.

We won the war with ease as the Indian did not have the courage to fight us, but I do not know where the battles were fought. Neither do I know how the war started but we won it; it is also difficult to say what happened afterwards.

Mehmood Hassan

Jamia Muhammadia, F-6 (Affiliated with Deobandi school of thought), Age 22

This is Defence Day because in 1965, Pakistan not only pushed the aggressive Indian army back but also captured their men and equipment. The war proved that the Pakistan army is stronger than the larger Indian army. This was mainly due to the able army command and courage of soldiers who tied bombs to their bodies and took on enemy tanks. But I do not know where the war was fought.

Muhammad Zohaib

Jamia Muhammadia, Age 23

We not only won the war but also ensured peace, because the severe blow to India has contained the enemy from attacking and harassing Pakistan again. I do not where it was fought but the victory was ours and because of our steadfast belief in Islam.

Muhammad Hussain

Madressah Qamarul Islam, F-6, Age 16

September 6 is Defence Day when Pakistan beat India in a war. But I do not know where the war was fought, possibly Kashmir.

Hasnain Murtaza

Student of Jamatul Kausar, H-8 (Affiliated with Shia school of thought), Age 20

September 6 is a day of pride and courage for the whole nation. It proved that a small nation with will, determination and able leadership can counter the evil designs of a very large enemy. My father, grandfather and uncles have told me stories of their contributions in the 1965 war that helped deter Indian invasion. The war was fought all over Pakistan and even my ancestors fought it; that is how we won it. The result of the war was that India could not annex our region and we are free, not the Kashmiris. We can repeat this marksmanship again and get the whole of Kashmir liberated but there has to be strong leadership.

Faizan Maqbool

Matric student at Mr Cabin High School Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, a private school, Age 16

I am not aware of September 6, Defence day, except that it took place between Pakistan and India – a number of books I have read mention this.

I think the war lasted for 20 days and it was fought because India wanted to occupy Kashmir. It was India who attacked Pakistan but in the end Pakistan won the war because of the sacrifices of Major Aziz Bhatti.

My grandfather and others have never told me anything about the war however I have learnt through the media that local people also fought along with the army.

Mohammad Naveed

Student of Intermediate at Government College, IMCB H-9, Age 18

I don’t know about Defence Day and why it is celebrated. Yes, Pakistan did fight a war with India but I don’t know which year this war was fought in. All I know is that the Pakistan army won the war because I have read this in my textbooks. I really don’t know why the war began, how long it lasted and whether or not, Pakistan occupied Indian land.

Syeda Fareeha

Sixth class, student at Government School, IMCG I-8/4, Age 11

Defence Day is celebrated on September 6; I learnt this from the chapter in our history textbook. Pakistan and India fought the war in 1965 and Pakistan won the war. However I don’t know why the war began because I have read that India suddenly attacked Pakistan. During the war Pakistan faced a few losses while the Indian losses were greater and a number of Indian solders were killed. The war lasted for 15 days. As far as I know, both countries have fought many wars and each time it was India’s fault.

Prof Jamsheed Astori

History professor at Government College, IMCB H-8, Age 59

Defence day is observed on September 6 every year to remember the 1965 war which was fought between India and Pakistan. The war was fought for 17 days and it is taught to the students in the Pakistan Studies and in History of Pakistan. Wars bring losses to all those who take part in them; hence in order to judge who won any war, one has to analyse which country gained its objectives.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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