Pakistan marks ‘Defense and Martyrs day’

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Pakistani nation on Thursday marked the “Defense and Martyrs Day” to pay tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives for the defense of the country, local media reported.

The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the country’s capital city Islamabad and 21-gun salute in the all four provincial capital cities of Pakistan, according to the state-run Radio Pakistan.

Pakistan marks Sept. 6 every year to remember the sacrifices of armed forces for the defense of the country during 1965 war with India.

The intense fighting between the two countries took place between August and September, with both sides claiming victory after it ended on Sept. 22 with a UN-sponsored ceasefire.

Special prayers and recitation of holy Quran were also being held in mosques across the country for the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism.

Pakistan's newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan paid tributes to the martyrs.

In a statement, Khan said Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and wants to promote mutual cooperation with all its neighbors and the entire world on equal basis.

“This year the Defence Day is quite unique because the Armed Forces of Pakistan, keeping in view their magnificent traditions, have achieved standout achievements in the war against terrorism which provided further stability and continuity to the motherland,” Khan said.

The main event was held at military headquarters Rawalpindi, which was attended by the prime minister, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, diplomats, officials and relatives of martyrs.