LAHORE (Dunya News) – One year has passed since Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, the defining phase of the broader conflict officially named Marka-e-Haq by Inter-Services Public Relations.
The campaign, spanning from April 22 to May 10, 2025, marked a critical moment in South Asia’s security landscape, triggered by a deadly incident in Pahalgam and followed by rapid escalation across diplomatic, informational, and military domains.
The sequence began on April 22, 2025, when an attack in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, located roughly 200 kilometres from the Line of Control, left 26 people dead. The assault occurred at 1:50pm and concluded within half an hour. Within minutes of the incident, Indian authorities registered a case against Pakistan, levelling accusations before any formal investigation had been conducted.
Pakistan categorically rejected the allegations. Officials and analysts described the episode as a “false flag operation”, arguing that it coincided with sensitive international diplomatic activity in the region. The narrative advanced by Indian authorities was amplified by sections of domestic media, drawing criticism for unverified reporting, while international commentary raised questions over security lapses and intelligence failures.
NARRATIVE BATTLE
Within India, public reaction reflected growing unease. Questions were raised over the presence of nearly a million troops in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and their inability to prevent the attack. Opposition parties criticised the government’s handling of the situation, calling it a major intelligence failure and cautioning against premature attribution of blame.
Pakistan’s response focused heavily on countering what it termed a coordinated disinformation campaign. The country’s media landscape and digital ecosystem played a central role in challenging narratives emerging from across the border. According to ISPR, Pakistan’s youth emerged as “cyber and information warriors”, actively countering what it described as an aggressive propaganda blitz.
AIR SUPERIORITY
The first phase of military escalation unfolded in the air domain, where tensions rapidly intensified following the deteriorating situation along the Line of Control and adjoining sectors.
During these early aerial engagements of Marka-e-Haq, the Pakistan Air Force engaged Indian aircraft in high-intensity combat, which resulted in the downing of six Indian combat aircraft. These losses, according to official accounts, included advanced platforms such as the Dassault Rafale, along with other frontline fighter jets deployed during the escalation.
The aerial encounters were a defining demonstration of operational readiness, beyond-visual-range capability, and integrated command efficiency. The neutralisation of high-value platforms, particularly the Rafale, was an evidence of tactical superiority in contested airspace.
While India did not acknowledge these losses in the same terms, Pakistani officials maintained that the air engagements set the strategic tone for the broader conflict that followed on the ground.
OPERATION BUNYAN-UN-MARSOOS
The situation escalated sharply on the night of May 6 and 7, when Indian military actions resulted in civilian casualties in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos on May 10, described by officials as a calibrated response delivering justice and retribution.
The operation was launched under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, with official statements highlighting inspiration from Surah As-Saff to symbolise unity and resolve.
According to ISPR, the campaign represented a fully integrated tri-services operation, combining air, land, sea, and cyber capabilities in real time. Pakistan Armed Forces targeted 26 military installations and associated facilities across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and mainland India.
These included key airbases at Suratgarh, Sirsa, Bhuj, Adampur, Pathankot, and Udhampur, which sustained significant damage. Strategic infrastructure such as BrahMos missile storage sites at Beas and Nagrota was also struck. Air defence systems, including S-400 units positioned at Adampur and Bhuj, were engaged, while command centres, intelligence-linked facilities, and logistics hubs were also targeted.
Across the Line of Control, Pakistani forces engaged artillery positions and forward posts involved in cross-border shelling. Several positions were heavily damaged following sustained exchanges.
TECHNOLOGY AND PRECISION WARFARE
Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos highlighted Pakistan’s deployment of advanced military systems and networked warfare capabilities. Precision-guided Fatah-series missiles, long-range loitering munitions, and coordinated strike packages formed the operational backbone of the campaign.
The Pakistan Air Force conducted precision strikes against high-value targets, while artillery formations maintained sustained pressure across key sectors. Unmanned aerial systems were also deployed, with Pakistani drones operating over major Indian urban centres, including New Delhi, demonstrating extended operational reach.
At the same time, cyber operations targeted digital infrastructure supporting military coordination, temporarily disrupting services and communications linked to operational activity.
Despite the scale of engagement, Pakistani officials emphasised that strikes were tightly controlled, focusing exclusively on military-linked infrastructure.
MULTI-FRONT BATTLE
During the conflict period, Pakistan also reported a surge in militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which officials attributed to externally supported elements. Security forces conducted simultaneous counter-terrorism operations in western regions while maintaining full operational capacity on the eastern front.
This dual-front pressure highlighted the complexity of the conflict environment, with military leadership describing Pakistan’s response as sustained across conventional and asymmetric domains without operational pause.
NATIONAL COHESION
Marka-e-Haq was also characterised by what officials described as unprecedented national cohesion. Political leadership across party lines publicly expressed support for the armed forces, while Pakistan’s diplomatic corps actively presented the country’s position across international platforms.
Scientific and engineering teams were credited with contributing indigenous technological solutions that supported operational requirements. The armed forces also acknowledged strong public backing, describing it as a key factor in sustaining morale throughout the conflict period.
As the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq is observed, the operation continues to be cited by Pakistani officials as a defining example of integrated warfare, strategic coordination, and national unity under pressure.