By Dr Farah Naz
Operation Bunyaan-un-Marsoos (a wall of solid lead), which can be difficult to pronounce and even harder to understand, was launched by Pakistan against India on May 10, 2025. Operation Bunyaan-um-Marsoos stands as a pivotal milestone, redefining strategies and setting new benchmarks. Its impactful execution has not only transformed operational dynamics but has also catalysed significant advancements in the landscape. The implications of this operation ripple through various sectors, proving to be a true game changer. By strategically addressing critical challenges and fostering innovation, it has laid the foundation for future successes and resilience. The term translates to “a solid wall of lead,” and how Pakistan executed the operation reflects this. Many questions have been raised by both international and local communities regarding why Pakistan did not respond immediately to the initial Indian strikes. It is important to analyse what transpired and consider why Pakistan opted to give India time to adjust its actions before deciding to retaliate.
There are three phases of the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict in 2025. In the first phase, India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan on the night of May 7-8, 2025. In its initial strike, India executed 24 missile attacks on six Pakistani cities: Muzaffarabad, Ahmed Pur East, Kotli, Muridke, Sialkot, and Shakargarh. These attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 31 people, including women and children. India designated this operation as a response to the Pahalgam attack that occurred on April 22, which was carried out by militants in Indian-administered Kashmir and claimed the lives of 28 civilians, mostly tourists. However, India’s primary failure in this situation is that, to date, it has not provided any evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack. Even after launching the strikes against Pakistan, India is still urging its citizens to share any information that may be available.
In response, the first-ever largest air dogfight occurred between India and Pakistan in which around 125 jets clashed in one dogfight, establishing new norms in the realm of air warfare history. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed around 80-83 aircraft, including 14 Rafales, while the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had 42 high-tech aircraft. The PAF maintained air sovereignty and engaged with the IAF for over 60 minutes, marking it as the longest dogfight recorded. Pakistan transformed the air combat landscape and set new rules of engagement, effectively deterring its adversary and achieving significant outcomes. Pakistani forces targeted crucial elements of the Indian air defence, successfully shooting down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales. Remarkably, not a single PAF aircraft was damaged or destroyed by the highly regarded S-400 system, which has proven formidable enough to keep NATO at bay during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Even NATO F-16s in Ukraine have faced significant risks near the border due to the threat posed by Russian S-400 systems. This battle has been described as the biggest air engagement since World War II. The second-largest air attack since World War II occurred during Operation Q, led by Allied Forces in Operation Desert Storm, which involved 78 aircraft. Pakistan’s single strike significantly disrupted the Indian air defence system, leading to the grounding of all its aircraft.
In the second phase, India launched drones towards Pakistan on the night of May 8-9, despite Pakistan’s warning to exercise caution, threatening retaliation that could be significant for India to handle. While 90 drones were neutralised, Pakistan remained silent and did not retaliate. India responded by creating a media frenzy, claiming that it had conducted aircraft, drone, and missile attacks across the international border. Pakistan dismissed these claims as false, stating there was no electronic signature, no captured pilots, and no evidence—only media storytelling. Furthermore, India attacked its cities, blaming Pakistan for targeting its civilians. In response, Pakistan declared that it would not attack like a coward; rather, it would inform India before striking, asserting that not only would India hear the blast, but the entire world would witness it.
In the third phase, during the night of May 9-10, India targeted three bases in Pakistan: Noor Khan Airbase, Shorkot Airbase, and Murid Airbase. However, all these attacks were intercepted. At the same time, India also launched drones and missiles at Afghanistan. In response, on 10 May, Pakistan announced ‘Operation Bunyaan-un-Marsoos’ and warned India to “wait for our response.” Within minutes, Pakistan retaliated with missile strikes against India, successfully targeting several locations. The strikes reportedly destroyed the following sites: Beas: BrahMos Missile depot; Udhampur: S-400 Air Defence System; Pathankot Airbase; Logistics HQ; Jalandhar Airbase and its infrastructure; Nagrota BrahMos Launch site; Akhnoor Brigade HQ; Uri Supply Depot; Srinagar Northern Command HQ; Chandigarh Weapons Depot; Sirsa Airbase; Military Intelligence HQ Rajuri. In addition, another round of air dogfight continued. Three Rafale jets were shot down over Sialkot, Lahore, and Kashmir, while one was downed near Sialkot. Pakistan conducted drone strikes over Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and border areas, including Pathankot, Pokhran, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Lalgarh, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kurabet, Lakhi Nalla, Hoor Maniya, and Hisar, among others.
Cyber warfare was also part of Pakistan’s strike. 10% of the SCADA network was disabled, and 70% of the Northern Grid went offline. The urban power and wind systems were shut down, and the digital network of Indian Railways was destroyed. Additionally, the gas supply in Delhi and the electric grid in Kashmir were disabled. There is a significant list of digital penetrations and high-value cyber breaches affecting government websites, including those of the BJP and BSF, which were all wiped clean.
Pakistan’s strike was unique, well-planned, and effectively executed. This prompted the international community to reach out to Pakistan’s leadership to halt the strikes. During a press conference, India expressed its desire to de-escalate the conflict, provided Pakistan did the same. However, Pakistan had no intention of initiating the conflict; it was India testing Pakistan’s patience. The DG ISPR reiterated that Pakistan was engaging Indian military positions purely as a defensive response to Indian shelling, which he claimed deliberately targeted civilian populations and jeopardised the lives of a significant portion of the world’s population in South Asia due to the risk of nuclear escalation.
India’s efforts to establish itself as a regional hegemon ultimately failed, and a significant portion of the blame lies with Prime Minister Modi’s aggressive approach toward Pakistan. India’s unfounded claims have become a source of international ridicule, while Pakistan’s mature, transparent, and evidence-based narratives have garnered global respect. It may be time for Modi to move away from his election-driven rhetoric regarding Pakistan and focus on addressing the needs of his people, rather than pushing them toward conflict with a formidable opponent.
Reference Link:- https://www.picss.net/articles/operation-bunyaan-un-marsoos-the-new-art-of-war/