ISLAMABAD (HRNW): Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, addressed a ceremony at Air Headquarters today to commemorate the 7th anniversary of “Operation Swift Retort,” reaffirming that Pakistan remains a responsible state committed to peace with dignity. Reflecting on the events of seven years ago, the Air Chief noted that the aggressor had gravely miscalculated Pakistan’s resolve and capabilities by launching a cowardly nighttime strike based on a false narrative, only to face a measured and calibrated daylight response that successfully re-established deterrence against a numerically superior foe. He emphasized that despite financial constraints, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has undergone a comprehensive modernization and indigenization journey since March 2021, rapidly restructuring its operational doctrine to integrate cutting-edge combat capabilities, electronic warfare, space, and cyber assets into a unique, domestically-developed “kill chain” for multi-domain operations.
Highlighting the more recent “Marka-e-Haq” (Battle for Truth) in May 2025, the Air Chief revealed that the PAF’s response to renewed challenges against national sovereignty was even more overwhelming than the enemy anticipated. He stated that for the first time in history, the PAF executed flawlessly choreographed full-spectrum multi-domain operations, decisively neutralizing some of the adversary’s most advanced platforms—including multiple Rafale jets, SU-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29s—while also taking out the sophisticated S-400 air defense systems and their command centers. The Air Chief concluded by praising the synergy between the armed forces and the resilient Pakistani nation, which serves as the bedrock of the country’s credible deterrence and responsible defensive posture. The nation joined the PAF in celebrating this anniversary as a symbol of national unity and professional excellence, honoring the air warriors who continue to ensure a robust and reliable aerial defense of the motherland.
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