In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Barrister Gohar Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has publicly commended the success of Pakistan’s defensive campaign, Operation Bunyan Marsus. In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gohar Khan lauded the military operation as a necessary and strategic response to India’s recent aggression.
Calling the operation a significant success, Gohar emphasized the unity of the Pakistani nation in the face of external threats. He stated that the Pakistani people are fully united and will remain so in defending the sovereignty and dignity of their homeland. He ended his message with the patriotic slogan “Long live Pakistan” and shared a verse from the Holy Quran to reinforce his sentiment of faith and resilience.
Amid the high-stakes regional developments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reached out to Barrister Gohar via telephone. The conversation, described as cordial but serious, involved briefing the PTI leader on the prevailing national security situation. During the call, Gohar Khan urged the Prime Minister to consider the immediate release of PTI’s founder, arguing that true national unity—critical in times of crisis—can only be achieved when the leadership is complete and inclusive. Gohar declared that the founder of PTI is a national leader whose presence is essential to unifying the country during these turbulent times.
The current tensions were sparked by the Pahalgam attack, which led to a dramatic escalation on the night of May 6 and 7. Under the cover of darkness, the Indian military launched a targeted attack on civilian areas across Azad Kashmir, including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Muridke, and Ahmedpur Sharqia. The airstrikes resulted in the destruction of two mosques and the tragic loss of 31 Pakistani lives, including two children. Over 50 others sustained injuries in what Pakistan has strongly condemned as an unprovoked and cowardly act.
In a swift and decisive response, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Marsus, a multi-pronged retaliatory operation designed to demonstrate the country’s military readiness and deterrent capability. Pakistani forces successfully shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one Su-30, and a combat drone that had entered Pakistani airspace.
But the response didn’t stop there. In the early hours of the following day, Pakistan escalated its countermeasures with strategic strikes across key Indian military installations. According to military sources, Pakistan targeted and destroyed several high-value locations, including India’s Udhampur and Pathankot airbases, a BrahMos missile storage facility, and the G-Top section of an Indian brigade headquarters.
In addition to its physical countermeasures, Pakistan also waged a cyber offensive. Reports indicate that Pakistani cyber units successfully disabled up to 70 percent of India’s power grid infrastructure, alongside breaching and disrupting dozens of Indian government and defense websites. The scope of this digital assault highlights the multifaceted nature of modern warfare, where cybersecurity is now an integral front in national defense strategies.
The international community has been urged to take note of the developments in South Asia, a region already considered a nuclear flashpoint. Diplomats and analysts have raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, calling for urgent diplomatic intervention to de-escalate the situation before it spirals out of control.
Despite the rising tensions, Barrister Gohar Khan’s message emphasizes unity, preparedness, and a collective resolve. His remarks, supported by a religious reference and a call for national solidarity, reflect the broader sentiment among Pakistanis—that while the nation seeks peace, it stands ready to defend itself with full force.
As the crisis continues to unfold, the call for national unity is resonating across political lines, with both government and opposition acknowledging the need to rise above partisan politics in defense of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
