Defence Day
| Defence Day | |
|---|---|
 Two JF-17 Thunder aircraft in a airshow. | |
| Also called | Youm-e-Difa |
| Observed by | Pakistan |
| Type | National |
| Celebrations | Flag hoisting, Parade, Military exhibitions, award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs, entertainment and military programmes, speeches, etc. |
| Date | 6 September |
| Next time | 6 September 2017 |
| Frequency | Annual |
Defence Day (Urdu: یوم دفاع ALA-LC: Yaum-i Difāʿ IPA: [jɔːm-e d̪ɪfɑː]) is a public holiday that is celebrated as national day to commemorate in the memory of Pakistan's successful defence against India that marked the ceasefire in the 1965 war on 6 September.[1] [2][3]
Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 to 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]
To pay respects to the armed forces and to commemorate their sacrifices and bravery, the President, Prime Minister and other members of the government have marked 6 September as a national day.[6]
Notes
Army officers like Captain Sarwar, Major Tufail, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, Major Shabbir Sharif, Major Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Hussain Janjua, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz, and Havaldar Lalak Jan sacrificed their lives for Pakistan and were awarded with "Nishan-e-Haider" for their acts of exceptional bravery. Nishan-e-Haider is the highest military award given to soldiers of the army of Pakistan for their exceptional and remarkable bravery and sacrifice for their nation and country.[7]
Celebrations and Parades
Army of Pakistan displays their latest missiles, tanks, guns, army aviation helicopters and armament being used by Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Corps, Army Air Defense, 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.
Defence Day celebrates the discipline, professionalism and patriotism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It essentially celebrates the defence of Lahore and decisive victory over an overwhelming force in 1965.
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
- ↑ "Pakistan Army". Pakistan Army. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ↑ Mallfirst=ill Haeder (2005). Culture and customs of Pakistan. Greenwood. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-313-33126-8.
- ↑ Kumar, Krishna (2003). Prejudice and pride: school histories of the freedom struggle in India and Pakistan. Penguin. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-14-302905-2.
- ↑ The Tribune http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050603/main2.htm. Retrieved 5 September 2012. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - 1 2 "Global Security". Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ↑ "Defense Day: Soldiers honoured 46 years on – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ↑ AFP. "Pakistan's 46th Defense Day | Multimedia". Dawn.Com. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ↑ Defense Day Celebrations. Illustrated weekly of Pakistan. 1968. p. 22.
- ↑ "Defense Day: Soldiers honoured 46 years on". The Express Tribune. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012.