Air Chief Marshal urges India to resolve Kashmir issue, reaffirms Pakistan’s defence capability

PakistanTop NewsPakistan Air Chief Marshal urges India to adopt 'mature stance' to resolve Kashmir issueBy Web Desk-Apr 18, 2026KAKUL: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, on Saturday urged India to adopt a mature approach to resolve the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Addressing the passing-out ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, he said the armed forces of Pakistan are entrusted with the noble mission of defending the motherland, adding that there is no greater honour than serving as guardians of the nation. He reminded the cadets of the long history of sacrifices made by the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army. He stated that Pakistan’s defence forces are professionally competent, well-trained, and fully capable of addressing both internal and external challenges. He said they are equipped in line with modern warfare requirements. The Air Chief said this capability was demonstrated during Pakistan’s “resolute and unified response” in May 2025 operations, referred to as Marka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth) and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos against India, which he said “stunned the world.” He added that the response reflected integrated tri-services jointness enabled by real-time situational awareness and net-centric warfare capabilities. According to him, this synergy across land, air, and sea forces allowed precision engagements and rapid operational tempo, describing the outcome as a result of unified national effort and divine support with Allah’s special blessing. The Air Chief further said the Pakistan Air Force, in coordination with sister services, upheld its tradition of fighting against numerical superiority. He said that the PAF downed advanced enemy aircraft during the intense and longest BVR (Beyond Visual Range) air battle in aerial history, but also struck bases and ground...