05/09/2013
Defence Day (Urdu: یوم دفاع or Youm-e-Difa) is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day[1] on 6 September[2] in memory of those who martyred in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and successful defence of Lahore, Sialkot and other important areas of the country.[3]
Contents
1 Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
1.1 Notable decorations
2 Celebrations and parade
3 References
Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
Main article: 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
Further information: Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces
Army officers like Captain Sarwar Shaheed, Major Tufail Shaheed, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed, Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed,and Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed 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 brave martyres of Pakistan army those who left remarkable examples of bravery and sacrifice for nation and country.[7]
Celebrations and parade
Army of Pakistan displays the 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
