As Pakistan observes Defence Day , the nation remembers the courage and sacrifice of those who have defended the country across battlefields, skies, borders and the long campaign against terrorism. In Balochistan, that legacy has continued across generations from the soldiers of the 1965 war to the officers, FC personnel, police and other security personnel who have laid down their lives confronting terrorists violence.
The story of Defence Day is therefore not confined to the events of September 6, 1965. It is also a reminder of the continuing price paid by Pakistan’s defenders to preserve peace, sovereignty and national security.
Defence and Development: Two Sides of National Security
This year’s Defence Day messaging has also placed national security within a broader framework of economic and social development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s foremost challenges extend beyond security and include ignorance, poverty and backwardness. He stressed that the country’s true strength lies in defence capabilities but also in becoming a united, peaceful, stable and economically strong nation.
The same connection between security and development was emphasised during Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s visit to Quetta Garrison on September 5.
The Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces was briefed on the prevailing security environment, operational preparedness and measures aimed at maintaining peace and stability across Balochistan. Institutional coordination and support for the province’s socio-economic development were also reviewed.
Field Marshal Munir stressed that sustained peace and security would help create an environment conducive to economic activity, development and greater opportunities for the people of Balochistan. He also paid tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs and appreciated the professionalism and commitment of officers and troops.
The message is significant: security is not an end in itself, but a prerequisite for development, investment, education and prosperity.
‘Resilient and Rising Pakistan’
The same theme was reflected in a Defence Day roundtable titled “Resilient and Rising Pakistan”, organised in Quetta by the Balochistan Centre of Excellence, Government of Balochistan.
Participants from different sectors discussed the broader foundations of national strength. Additional Secretary Home Jameel Ahmed Baloch emphasised that Pakistan’s strength depends not only on defence capabilities but also on a strong, educated, united and responsible society.
Other speakers highlighted the role of institutions, young people and civil society in strengthening Pakistan. The discussion focused on education, awareness, national cohesion and providing young people with meaningful opportunities to participate in national development.
For Balochistan, this approach is particularly important. The province’s long-term stability requires not only effective counter-terrorism measures but also economic opportunity, education, institutional capacity and public confidence.
Pakistan’s Defence Remains Rooted in National Unity
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his Defence and Martyrs’ Day message, described September 6 as a memorable part of Pakistan’s national history and paid tribute to the martyrs, veterans and their families.
He emphasised that the unity demonstrated by Pakistan’s armed forces and people during the 1965 war remains an expression of the country’s collective strength.
The president also linked the legacy of September 6 with Marka-i-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, describing the more recent military success as a continuation of the spirit of patriotism and national resolve associated with Defence Day.
At the same time, the government and military leadership reiterated that Pakistan seeks peace and stability in the region while maintaining its ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A Continuing Legacy of Sacrifice
Balochistan has produced generations of soldiers and officers who have served Pakistan with distinction. Their sacrifices span conventional wars, counter-terrorism operations and the protection of communities across the province.
On this Defence Day, the nation remembers Capt Ubaid Ullah Shaheed and Capt Zia Ullah Shaheed, who embraced martyrdom while serving the country. Their service represents the commitment of Pakistan’s armed forces to defending the country even in some of its most challenging operational environments.
The province also remembers Sepoy Hamza and Sepoy Razzaq, who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty at N-25, Balochistan, as well as Lance Naik Aftab Ahmed Sohrani, whose sacrifice brought honour to his family and region.
The sacrifices extend beyond the Army. Lt Cdr Hamza Abid PN, Lt Cdr Jawad Shah PN and Husnain LUWT PN embraced Shahadat in a helicopter crash near Gwadar on September 4, 2023, reminding the nation that the defence of Pakistan is carried out across its land, maritime and aerial domains.
FC Balochistan soldier Shehryar Ahmed, a brave son of Ruper Kalan, is also remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. His funeral prayer was offered with full military honours in his native village.
Likewise, Capt Zia Ullah, formerly of 134 Wing FC Balochistan, laid down his life fighting terrorists in Ziarat, while Capt Waqar Ahmed Kakar, a brave son of Loralai, embraced Shahadat in Mand while confronting terrorists with courage and determination.
From 1965 to the War on Terror
Balochistan’s contribution to Pakistan’s defence is rooted deeply in the country’s military history.
During the 1965 war, Pakistan’s armed forces confronted a numerically larger adversary, while the nation demonstrated unity and resilience. The province itself produced senior military leadership, including General Musa Khan, Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army during the 1965 war, and countless officers and soldiers who served on the frontlines.
That tradition of service continued through later conflicts and counter-terrorism campaigns. Officers and soldiers from Balochistan have served in some of the country’s most demanding operational theatres, including Kargil, Operation Al-Mizan and counter-terrorism operations in the former tribal areas and Balochistan.
Among those remembered are Major Muhammad Ali Haideri Shaheed, recipient of the Tamgha-i-Basalat, Lt Masood-ur-Rehman, Major Jalaluddin Tareen, Lt Saifullah Noshki and Capt Waqar Ahmed Kakar.
Their stories demonstrate that the province’s contribution to national defence cannot be reduced to geography. Balochistan’s people and security personnel have repeatedly stood at the forefront of Pakistan’s struggle against external aggression and internal terrorism.
Security Personnel Continue to Pay the Price
The counter-terrorism campaign has also exacted a heavy price from the province’s police and law-enforcement institutions.
Officers including DSP Muhammad Yousaf Rekhi, DSP Ajmal Nadeem Sadozai, Mehboob Shah, Inspector Abdul Razzaq and Constable Raza Muhammad Jam sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
The province’s law-enforcement personnel have continued to confront armed groups despite the risks. DSP Murad Bugti and Constable Rasool Bakhsh were among those targeted by BLA militants while performing their duties.
The courage of Balochistan’s policewomen has also become part of this story. In Khuzdar’s Baghbana area, Lady Constable Malik Naz, reportedly the first woman police officer from Balochistan, and Head Constable Samiullah refused to surrender and fought their attackers until they were martyred.
The judiciary, too, has paid a heavy price. Chief Justice (retd) Noor Muhammad Meskanzai, Justice Mir Muhammad Nawaz Marri and Justice Abdul Hakeem Kakar were among those who lost their lives, demonstrating that the struggle for rule of law has also demanded extraordinary sacrifices.
A Tribute to Balochistan’s Defenders
The significance of September 6 ultimately lies not merely in remembering a historic war, but in recognising the continuing commitment of those who have defended Pakistan throughout its history.
From the battlefields of 1965 to the mountains and highways of Balochistan, from the skies and seas around Gwadar to the streets where police officers confront terrorists, Pakistan’s defenders have continued to pay the highest price for national security.
On Defence and Martyrs’ Day 2026, the nation remembers these heroes and their families with respect.
