Today, Pakistan commemorates the sixth anniversary of “Operation Swift Retort,” a pivotal military victory for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in its conflict with India. The event, which occurred on February 27, 2019, marked a significant military success, where PAF pilots downed an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet over Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following India’s “Balakot Strikes.”
The sequence of events began on February 26, 2019, when India violated the Line of Control (LoC) by sending aircraft into Pakistani airspace. The payload dropped by Indian jets in an open area triggered a swift and calculated response by the PAF. Pakistani jets retaliated by locking onto Indian military positions and engaging in a dogfight that ultimately led to the downing of two Indian jets, with one pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, being captured and later released by Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.
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The bravery of the PAF pilots involved in this operation earned them military honors. Wing Commander Noman Ali Khan was awarded the Sitara-e-Jur’at (Star of Valour), while Group Captain Faheem Ahmad Khan and Squadron Leader Hassan Mahmood Siddiqui received the Tamgha-e-Jur’at (Medal of Valour), acknowledging their courageous actions in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
On this anniversary, Pakistan’s military leadership, including General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), paid tribute to the armed forces, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to national security. The military’s readiness and operational excellence were highlighted as vital in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
In commemoration of the event, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also released a patriotic anthem, “Dushmanna Sunn,” reinforcing the nation’s message of resolve and its readiness to respond to any future aggression.
