Pakistan Army Lt Gen: ‘Islam Is Integral to Our Army’s Training’ Following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos

Pakistan Army Lt Gen: Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif,The Pakistan Army's Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR), spoke with the media on Sunday stating that Islam not only was relevant to the beliefs of each individual soldier in the army, but also part of the army's training.

The Pakistan army spokesperson was speaking about Operation 'Bunyanum Marsoos' when addressing the Indian military bases strikes post-India's launch of 'Operation Sindoor' after the Pahalgam terror attack. A Pakistan journalist specifically asked Lt Gen Sharif about the Islamic terminology in naming the operation and the timing of the early morning strikes.

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In the response to the question, the spokesperson reinforced that Islam is part of training for the Pakistan Army beyond one's personal beliefs. "It is part of our faith. Iman, taqwa, jihad fi sabilillah (Faith, Piety, Struggle in the name of God) that's what drives us, that's our motto. We have a Army chief who has faith and the leadership's faith and commitment translates into such operations," he said.

In 1981, while in power, Pakistani military dictator General Zia-ul-Ha made the Pakistan Army's motto in full "Iman, taqwa, jihad fi sabilillah" changing the previously set motto of 'ittehad, yaqeen, tanzeem (Unity, Faith, Discipline)' from Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The current slogan is one alluding to jihadi discourse and has been repeated in the past by Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir.

"The name of the operation tells you that those who fight in the path of Allah are like a wall of steel. We thank Allah and the people of Pakistan and its media," he added.

Lt Gen Sharif recently made news after sources said his father Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood was linked to Osama bin Laden. as reported in TOI, Mahmood, a Pakistani nuclear scientist, went to Afghanistan to meet with bin Laden just before 11 September and was interrogated by the CIA and FBI.

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Indian Army commander quotes Ramcharitmanas

On the other hand, the Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti quoted a couplet from the Ramcharitmanas to explain India's position of "patience followed by anger".

"Vinay na manat jaldhi jad, bhaye teen din beet, bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoi na preeti," he said, quoting Lord Ram after he prayed for days the Sea God for passage to Lanka.

The couplet "bhay bin hoy na preet. " indicates there is no love or respect can happen without fear.

“What message is being conveyed… A hint is enough for a wise person," Bharti remarked.

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