Nation marks third anniversary of Operation Swift Retort

PM Imran reiterates his belief in dialogue for disputes’ resolution: ISPR DG says all wings of armed forces registered feats on Feb 27

By: News Desk
Published: 11:49 AM, 27 Feb, 2022
Nation marks third anniversary of Operation Swift Retort
Caption: Representational image.
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
Get it on Google Play

Today (February 27) is the third anniversary of the ‘Operation Swift Retort’, which the Pakistan Airforce (PAF) had launched in response to the bombardment of Balakot area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) by the Indian jets in a nighttime raid on February 26, 2019, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

While paying tribute to the national pride, the DGPR PAF posted a tweet writing: “PAF pays tribute to the National Pride & Resolve on 3rd anniversary of Ops Swift Retort.

The PAF has also released a national song eulogizing the bravery of Pakistani soldiers who gave a befitting response to the Indian failed misadventure.

The PAF not only downed those two planes, which India had sent to target the alleged hideouts of militants, but had also managed to capture one of the pilots, Abhinandan Varthaman, alive.

“The tea was fantastic’, the words uttered by Abhinandan after he was served tea following his capture, are still fresh in people’s memories.

Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an address at the National Assembly, announced the release of Abhinandan as a goodwill gesture following which he was handed over to the Indian authorities on March 1, 2019 at Wahga border near Lahore.  

PM Imran tweets

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said all his life he believed in dialogue and diplomacy for the resolution of disputes. 

In his tweet on the eve of the third anniversary of ‘Operation Swift Retort’, he said that he had expressed the same desire even on February 27, 2019 when India had launched an attack on Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). 

He, however, made it clear that this desire for dialogue should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. “We, as a nation, are steadfast and resolute for the defence of our motherland. Pakistan Army will give a befitting reply to the enemy if it repeats the same mistake,” he said categorically. 

On the eve of third anniversary of the operation, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar, in his statement, has said that February 27 was no ordinary day as all three wings of the country’s armed forces registered feats on that day.

“While the PAF shot down two Indian planes, Pakistan Navy succeeded in detecting the presence of an Indian submarine in the Arabian Sea while the Pakistan Army gave a befitting response to the enemy’s forces on the Line of Control,” he said, adding all these acts of gallantry were the proof of the armed forces’ patriotism, professional preparedness and commitment to the defence of the country.

The ISPR also paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces for their professionalism and determination for the defence of motherland in its tweet posted on Sunday. 

The post says: “Today marks 3rd anniversary of “Op Swift Retort” when Pakistan Armed Forces gave a befitting response to Indian failed misadventure. Achievements of PAF in shooting down 2 Indian fighter aircraft, detection of Indian submarine at sea by Pak Navy & resounding response at LOC by Pak Army are testament to professionalism & determination of Pakistan Armed Forces for defence of motherland. Not just weapons or numbers but resolve of a nation & operational preparedness of Armed Forces defines success in face of adversity. Pakistan Zindabad (2/2)

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also paid homage to the Pakistan Armed Forces’ chivalry in a tweet. He said that he was lucky that he was part of the decision-making process of the operation three years ago. He said the bravery which our armed forces had shown was historic. He remarked that the way our Prime Minister and Military Command had behaved was worth narrating. 

The netizens also took to twitter to express their thoughts on the Operation Swift Retort at #HappySurpriseDayIndia.

https://twitter.com/BijaraniAzeez/status/1497787708940427268

https://twitter.com/HooruIainFarhat/status/1497538817703698433

Categories : Featured News, Pakistan

News Desk

Related Post