Defence Day

Defence Day

Two JF-17 Thunder aircraft in an airshow.
Also called Youm-e-Difa
Observed by Pakistan
Type National
Celebrations Flag hoisting, Parade, Military exhibitions, award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs, entertainment and military programmes, speeches, etc.
Date 6 September
Next time 6 September 2015
Frequency annual

Defence Day (Urdu: یوم دفاع‎ ALA-LC: Yaum-i Difāʿ IPA: [jɔːm-e d̪ɪfɑː]) is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day[1] on 6 September[2] in memory of those who were killed in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965.[3]

Indo-Pakistani war of 1965

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947. The war began following Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which was designed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency against rule by India.[4][5] The five-week war caused thousands of casualties on both sides. It ended in a United Nations (UN) mandated ceasefire and the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent Declaration.[5]

6 September is marked by the President, Prime Minister and members of the government paying respect to the armed forces.[6]

Notable decorations

Army officers like Captain Sarwar, Major Tufail, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, Major Shabbir Sharif, Major Muhammad Akram, Sawar Muhammad Hussain, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz,and Havaldar Lalak Jan gave sacrifices of their life for Pakistan and were awarded with "Nishan-e-Haider" for their acts of exceptional bravery. Nishan-e-Haider is a highest military award given to soldiers of Pakistan army those who left remarkable examples of bravery and sacrifice for nation and country.[7]

Celebrations and parade

Army of Pakistan displays their latest missiles, tanks, guns, army aviation helicopters and armament being used by Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Corps, Army Air Defence, Signals, Army Service Corps and Army Medical Corps live on various places.[8] Everyone is allowed to watch such functions live by going to the specific places. These shows are displayed on national channels as well. National songs and special documents about 6 September 1965 and martyred people of 6 September are displayed on TV. It is told to people how people gave sacrifices for the defense of the country and what is the responsibility of young generation now especially the children who are the future of Pakistan.

The change of guard ceremony takes place at Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi, where the cadets of Pakistan Air Force Academy present Guard of Honour and take the charge.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Pakistan Army". Pakistan Army. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  2. ↑ Malik, Iftikhar Haider (2005). Culture and customs of Pakistan. Greenwood. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-313-33126-8.
  3. ↑ Kumar, Krishna (2003). Prejudice and pride: school histories of the freedom struggle in India and Pakistan. Penguin. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-14-302905-2.
  4. ↑ The Tribune http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050603/main2.htm. Retrieved 5 September 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Global Security". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Defence Day: Soldiers honoured 46 years on – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  7. ↑ AFP. "Pakistan’s 46th Defence Day | Multimedia". Dawn.Com. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  8. ↑ Defence Day Celebrations. Illustrated weekly of Pakistan. 1968. p. 22.
  9. ↑ "Defense Day: Soldiers honoured 46 years on". The Express Tribune. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012.