For the first time since their daring missions in the May conflict with India, the Pakistan Air Force pilots who demolished six Indian combat planes, including the avant-garde raphales, and destroyed the S-400 Russian Air Defense System of Russian manufacturing in the public eye on Thursday.
The expected appearance of these national heroes occurred when President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decorated them with the main gallantry awards during a ceremony of the Independence Day in Aiwan-E-Sadr.
Prime Minister Sharif paid special tribute to the Ala Malik Rizwanul Haq, who received the Tamgha-E-Basalat for destroying the S-400 system during the Bunyanum Marsoos operation.
Shehbaz Sharif personally confirmed the medal, inviting the pilot to stand with him before the public. “It destroyed the S-400 system,” the prime minister told the meeting, causing applause and strong cheers.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), The Sitara-E-Jurat was conferred on Wing Commander Bilal Raza, GD (P), Air Force, Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood, GD (P), Air Force, Squadron Leader M Yousaf Khan, GD (P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ishfaq, GD (P), Air Force, the leader of the Muhammad Hassan Anees, GD (P), the Air Force, the leader of the Talal Hassan Squadron, GD (P), the Air Force, the leader of the Squadron Fida Muhammad Khan, GD (P), the Air Force.
Recent Pakistan-India conflict
The last climb between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected Indian guilt.
In response, India carried out a series of hostile actions the next day of April 23, including the suspension of the 65-year-old Indus Water Treaty (IWT), canceling the visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the border crossing of Wagah-Attari, ordering the closure of Pakistan’s high commission in New Delhi, and reduction of the diplomatic staff of the crosses.
Tensions intensified even more in the early hours of May 7, when missile attacks hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and elders.
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In a rapid military response, Pakistan’s armed forces knocked down Indian combat planes, including three Rafale airplanes. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India attacked several Pakistani air bases with missile attacks. In retaliation, Pakistan launched the Bunyanum Marsoos operation, damaging Indian military facilities, including missile storage sites, air bases and other strategic objectives.
Later, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that the fire had been reached after intense diplomatic efforts during the night. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of India.
