ISLAMABAD – Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Thursday said that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) displayed its capability, resilience, and dominance in Marka-e-Haq, upholding the glorious legacy of being second to none. Addressing a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the 2025 conflict with India, the air chief said Pakistan’s resounding success was the outcome of a unified approach by all elements of national power.
The term “Marka-e-Haq” refers to the 2025 conflict with India, which began with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and concluded with a ceasefire on May 10 following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
Speaking at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu said that PAF conducted a full-spectrum multi-domain operation for the first time in the history of air warfare. He said the world was stunned to witness the superb execution of the PAF operation, which was excellently choreographed and flawlessly executed.
High-Value Targets Destroyed
The air chief said that PAF attacked many high-value and high-visibility targets. He stated that Pakistan’s cyber “Shaheens” destroyed the enemy’s cybersecurity and, while delivering a humiliating defeat to the Indian Air Force (IAF), brought down some of the world’s top fighter jets.
“We disrupted the enemy’s power and transport system, crippled its critical operational installations, shot down the most modern Rafale jets, and destroyed a state-of-the-art S-400 battery,” he said. “The enemy was literally on its knees long before we could imagine.”
Homegrown Kill Chain
The air chief said that at the core of this success was PAF’s homegrown kill chain that seamlessly integrated all operational elements into a single formidable force package. Sidhu said PAF could have gone further, but “we exercised responsibility and well-calibrated force application.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the air chief said the PAF remains singularly focused on preparing hard for future challenges. He mentioned that a range of capabilities at the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) are expanding at an unprecedented pace. “A host of indigenous projects are in the pipeline and they are vigorously being pursued,” he added.
Leadership Role
He added that the exemplary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir played an important role in securing victory, and that the country’s leadership made it possible to achieve these successes.
He concluded that the PAF will always live up to the expectations of the brave and resilient people of Pakistan, assuring that the PAF will remain a symbol of pride for the nation.
The Pahalgam Attack and Marka-e-Haq
On April 22, 2025, escalation between Pakistan and India began when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame.
In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day, on April 23, 2025, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other’s embassies.
The May 7 Strikes and Pakistan’s Response
Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, 2025, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.
On May 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense overnight diplomatic efforts. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
Analysis: A Legacy of Air Power
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu’s address on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq is both a commemoration and a statement of intent. The PAF’s claim of conducting a “full-spectrum multi-domain operation for the first time in the history of air warfare” — and executing it flawlessly — is a significant claim.
The mention of the “homegrown kill chain” suggests that Pakistan has developed indigenous capabilities that integrate intelligence, surveillance, and strike assets. The destruction of an S-400 battery — a Russian-made system that India has invested heavily in — would be a significant achievement if confirmed.
The reference to cyber capabilities — “cyber Shaheens destroyed the enemy’s cybersecurity” — indicates that the conflict was fought in multiple domains simultaneously.
The air chief’s acknowledgment that PAF “could have gone further” but exercised “responsibility and well-calibrated force application” is a pointed message: Pakistan has the capability to escalate, but it chooses restraint.
As the PAF looks ahead to future challenges, the focus on indigenous projects and the expansion of NASTP suggests that the air force is investing in self-reliance. The message to adversaries is clear: the PAF is second to none.
