Pakistan's escalating offensive against India reached a new high on Saturday as it launched a pre-dawn strike involving drones and missiles, including the Fattah-1 ballistic missile. Pakistani media reported that the strike was conducted under the name of "Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos," a title derived from a verse in the Quran, which translates to "a solid wall of lead."
The Quranic phrase, as cited by Al Jazeera, reads: "Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure." Pakistan's decision to name its operation after this verse is likely intended to symbolise its intent to present itself as an impenetrable force, defending a noble cause. The escalation follows India’s precision strikes on terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) on May 7, as part of its own Operation Sindoor.
In the latest strike, Pakistan deployed missiles and drones, targeting 26 locations in India, following India's recent air raids on terror camps. The inclusion of the Fattah-1 missile in the operation is seen as part of Pakistan's efforts to display its military capabilities, with the missile named after the "victory" that it aims to achieve through its actions. This marks a significant escalation of hostilities, as the two nations continue their long-standing standoff, which has now entered a dangerous phase of direct military confrontations.
The use of religious language, specifically invoking the Quranic verse, may also be seen as a tactic to lend a religious justification to its aggressive posture. This follows Pakistan's targeting of Indian civilian and military locations, including gurdwaras and temples, through missile and drone strikes, while India has focused its attacks on terror infrastructure.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri responded to Pakistan’s actions by saying, "Pakistan is again trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create discord. We are not surprised," as tensions between the two neighbours continued to rise.
The backdrop to these events lies in the deadly terrorist attacks that took place in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 28 civilians, mostly tourists. In response, India had launched aerial strikes on terror camps located deep within Pakistan's territory, including one in Punjab province, about 100 km from the border.
The use of Quranic verses to name military operations is not new in Pakistan’s strategy but adds a layer of religious overtones to an already charged conflict. India's steadfast unity remains a major challenge to Pakistan, as it seeks to deflect attention from its internal problems and continue its hostilities against its neighbour.
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