Defence Day celebrated with zeal in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The entire nation alongwith Armed Forces celebrated the Defence Day of Pakistan with renewed resolve to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan, no matter what the cost.

Defence Day of Pakistan dawned with prayers in all mosques of the country and Army Units, Naval Establishments and Air Forces Bases for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Special Dua was offered for the eternal peace of the Shuhada who laid down their lives in defence of the country. The special messages of the Services Chiefs were read out to the troops of Army, Navy and Air Force.

The Hilal-e-Istaqlal was hoisted at Lahore, Sargodha and Sialkot in recognition of the will, courage and perseverance of the people of these cities, who bore the main brunt of the enemy aggression in the 1965 War.

As a part of the Defence Day of Pakistan celebrations a grand Fauji Mela was held at Race Course Ground Rawalpindi. A display of equipment being used by the Army, para gliding, free fall by the para troopers of Special Services Group, Artillery fire, motorcycle trick by a contingent of Military Police and a demo of Animal Transport Regiment were main events of the Fauji Mela.

General (Retired) Muhammad Aziz Khan, Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was the chief guest of the Fauji Mela. General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Defence Attaches, high ranking civil and Armed Forces officers their families and a great numbers of citizens witnessed the Fauji Mela.

Wreath Laying

Wreath Laying ceremonies were held at the Mazars and monuments of the recipients of the Nishan-e-Haider, the country, highest gallantry award. A large number of people belonging to all shades of life attended the ceremonies to pay homage to the brave sons of soil who demonstrated indomitable courage and valour in defence of the motherland.

Brigadier Saleem Mehmood Khan, Brigade Commander, laid a floral wreath at the grave of Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, the first recipient of the coveted Nishan-e-Haider who embraced Shahadat at Tilpatri (Azad Kashmir) in 1948.

Brigadier Abid Husain Brigade Commande laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha at the Mazar of Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed at Tufailabad in Tehsil Arifwala. Major Tufail Muhammad embraced Shahadat at Lakshmi Bridge in East Pakistan in 1958.

Major General Athar Abbas General Officer Commanding laid a floral wreath at the Mazar of Major Aziz Bhatti, Shaheed, in Ladian near Gujrat and offered Fateha. Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed embraced Shahadat in 1965 at Burki, Lahore.

Major General Rashad Mahmood, General Officer Commanding, laid a floral wreath at the monument of Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed at Jhelum, Major Akram embraced Shahadat at District Hilli in East Pakistan.

Major General Nadeem Taj, General Officer Commanding laid a floral wreath at the Mazar of Major Shahbir Sharif Shaheed at Lahore. Major Shabbir Shareef Shaheed embraced Shahadat while defending the motherland in 1971.

At Mehfoozabad, old Pind Malkan, Commandant Punjab Regimental Centre, Brigadier Arjmand Iqbal Janjua laid a floral wreath at the Mazar of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed and offered Fateha. Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz embraced Shahadat while defending the motherland at Atari, Wagha border in 1971.

Brigade Commander Brigadier Nazaret Bashir laid a floral wreath at the Mazar of Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed at Dhoke Muhammad Hussain near Gujarkhan and offered Fateha. Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed embraced Shahadat while defending he motherland at Zafarwal Sector in 1971.

In a similar ceremony Brigadier Zafar Ullah Khan laid a floral wreath at the Mazar of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed and offered Fateha. Captain Karnal Sher embraced Shahadat while defending the motherland at Gultari Sector on the Line of Control in 1999.

Commander Force Command Northern Area Major General Mohsin Kamal laid floral wreath at the Mazar of Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed. Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed embraced Shahadat while defending the motherland on Line of Control in 1999.

Salute

The contingents of the respective Regimental Centres and Units of the Shuhada presented the salute as a mark of tribute for the epic action of their great warriors.

A thrilling demonstration of military action captivated audiences at the packed Fortress Stadium here Tuesday on the occasion of Defence Day celebrations.
Military actions in simulated war-like situations and grand exhibition of armament remained the main focus of attention and interest.

Punjab Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, chief guest on the occasion, declared the day-long celebrations opened. The whole stadium reverberated to the sound of thundering gunfire as Infantry troops launched attack under the smoke screen of advancing T-59 tanks of the 24th Cavalry.

This was followed by a ‘milli taranas’ rendered by girls students of Lahore Garrison Educational System, which were loudly appreciated by spectators. Eight tent-peggers of Punjab Rangers displayed their riding skills plucking the wooden pegs out of the ground with their spears as they rode horses at high speed.

An Artillery unit gave a demonstration of the firepower of 122 mm field guns as the stadium echoed to the deafening sound generated by five guns. A unit of field engineers displayed their alacrity and dexterity in dismantling a Willey jeep and re-fixing it within a matter of minutes.

Mashak Planes

Two Mashak planes of Army Aviation performed a variety of aerial stunts, the most thrilling feature was the free fall display by SSG paratroopers under the command of Major Qurban Ahmad Khan.

Jumping from a helicopter at a dizzying height of 10,000 feet, the eight paratroopers made a precision landing in front of the main grandstand, showing their mastery and ability.

Among the daredevils was havildar Nawaz Hussain Shah making his 706th jump who, according to a military commentator, became the second commando with the highest number of jumps.

The Punjab Governor accompanied by GOC Major-General Nadeem Taj also took a round of the military hardware exhibition where the latest arms and equipment in use of Pakistan Army was on display.

Serving and retired military officers, junior commissioned officers, jawans, their families, officials of the civil administration, students of Lahore Garrison Educational System, besides a large gathering of the general public who were present, were briefed by Army officers at the stalls of Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Engineers, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals and Air Defence.

Day-long Celebrations

The day long celebrations started with Quran khwani and special prayers were offered for the integrity, sovereignty and solidarity of the country in unit mosques after Fajr prayers.

The day dawned with national flag hoisting on all the Formation Headquarters, Units and Installations.

GOC Major-General Bilal Omar Khan laid the wreath on behalf of the Army at Mazar-e-Iqbal and offered fateha. Similar ceremonies were held at other monuments and war memorials including Bri Shami Shaheed Memorial and Central Army Graveyard, where Major-General Abdul Jabbar Bhatti laid the wreath.

Special durbars were held at the units where the message of the Vice Chief of Army Staff for the occasion was read out to the troops, and the Commanding Officers highlighted the significance of September 6, 1965.

Pakistan Defence Day was celebrated with national spirit and enthusiasm in Karachi as elsewhere in the country. Old Race Course Ground near Cantt Railways Station was the venue of great public interest where grand display of arms and equipment was organised.

Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Syed Athar Ali, who was the chief guest on the occasion, declared the display open and went round the stalls.

The daylong celebrations of the Defence Day of Pakistan began with Quran Khawani for Shuhdas in the unit mosques after Fajar prayers and for the solidarity of the country.

Floral wreaths were laid at the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on behalf of the three services. Later, a Fauji Mela of arms and equipment was held at Old Race Course Ground which included grand display of armaments and equipment and thrilling events. Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Rangers also participated in this mela.

Special Air Show

Special air show and fly past by Army Aviation helicopters, open action by Artillery guns, fire power of Infantry, display of drone and Air Defence weapons system, display of ammunition and models and anti terrorist demonstration by Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) were some of the thrilling events of this mela.

Recruitment of desired candidates from Sindh and Balochistan was also conducted.

Latest, missiles, tanks, guns, Army Aviation helicopters and armament under the use of Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Corps, Army Air Defence, Signals, Army Service Corps and Army Medical Corps were put on display.

Special arrangements were made to acquaint the public about these through briefings and video films on various aspects of military life.

Special Darbars were held in the Army units. Bara Khana was arranged for the troops. A get-together of retired and serving officers was also held at Corps Officers Mess in the evening.

Kashmiris living at both sides of the line of control - Azad Jammu Kashmir and Indian held Jammu Kashmir, as well as rest of the world observed the Defence Day of Pakistan on Tuesday with great enthusiasm, devotion and due solemnity coupled with renewal of the pledge to be always prepared to give every kind of sacrifices for the stability, solidarity and prosperity and for strengthening the defence of Pakistan.

Azad Kashmir

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir the day dawned with special prayers at Fajr in the mosques for the stability, defence, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and for the early success of the Kashmir freedom movement.

Special ceremonies to observe the defence day of Pakistan were held at various places in Azad Jammu Kashmir to pay rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1965 Indo-Pak war for giving the sacrifices of their valuable lives to safeguard the geographical and ideological frontiers of the country. Besides they also paid tributes to the brave armed forces of Pakistan and ghazis.

The special ceremonies to observe the day were managed under the auspices of various social, political and public representative organisations to highlight the importance of the day.

Speakers on this occasion reiterated the Kashmiris resolve to continue the struggle for freedom of occupied Jammu Kashmir from the Indian yoke. People from various parts of AJK also visited the mazars of the martyrs of 1965 war and offered Fateha.

All the three radio stations of Azad Kashmir including Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Tarakheil aired special programme of Defence Day of Pakistan highlighting the importance of this day in the history of Pakistan.

PAF Chief

Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat visited one of the operational bases of PAF for inspecting the operations of ongoing Exercise High Mark 2005.

During his visit, the he interacted with pilots, engineers and technicians of the air base.

Talking to the PAF personnel, the air chief appreciated the morale and operational readiness of the PAF. He re-emphasised that PAF would be resolute in defence of aerial frontiers of the country.

The commanders, pilots and technicians deployed on the base expressed their determination to fight for the cause of national defence. During the exercise, the PAF aircraft will fly a large quantum of operational sorties and will carry out all conceived missions.●