Introduction
Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos, launched by Pakistan on May 10, 2025, derives its name from the Arabic term “Bunyan” (structure or fortress) and “Marsoos” (firmly established), symbolizing a robust and resolute defense of national sovereignty. The name reflects Pakistan’s military narrative of fortifying its stance against perceived aggression. The operation’s primary objective was to counter India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. Pakistan aimed to neutralize Indian military advances, protect its territory, and demonstrate its strategic resolve through a coordinated tri-services response.
[Source: Analysis based on ISPR statements and regional conflict reports]
Why Pakistan Launched Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos
Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos on May 10, 2025, as a retaliatory measure against alleged Indian aggression. According to Pakistani military sources, India conducted missile strikes on Pakistani territory starting May 6-7, 2025, targeting air bases and causing civilian casualties. The operation, part of the broader conflict termed Marka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth), aimed to counter India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed the operation was a demonstration of its resolve to protect national sovereignty and respond decisively to Indian provocations.
How Pakistan Countered Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, 2025, involved precision missile strikes on nine terrorist facilities—four in Pakistan and five in PoK—targeting groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos was designed to neutralize India’s offensive by targeting Indian military installations, including air bases and command centers. The ISPR highlighted the operation’s success through integrated tri-services coordination, real-time situational awareness, and network-centric warfare. Pakistani sources claimed strikes on key Indian sites, such as a BrahMos missile facility in Beas, though India denied significant damage. Pakistan’s use of drones, fighter jets, and long-range munitions reportedly disrupted India’s offensive capabilities, with some X posts suggesting elite intelligence operations infiltrated Indian military communications.
Impact on India
The impact of Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos on India remains contentious. Pakistani sources claimed significant damage to Indian air bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, and Beas, asserting a blow to India’s military infrastructure. However, Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, refuted these claims, presenting time-stamped images of undamaged air bases. India reported no loss of life in its military stations and emphasized the effectiveness of its air defense systems, which intercepted multiple Pakistani drones and UAVs. Civilian areas near the Line of Control (LoC) faced disruptions, with explosions reported in Rajouri and Poonch, and flight cancellations in Jammu, Srinagar, and other cities. The operation heightened public anxiety, though India maintained that its military morale remained intact.
India’s Reaction to Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos
India’s reaction was swift and multifaceted. On May 10, 2025, Indian armed forces claimed to have thwarted Pakistani attacks, with the Border Security Force (BSF) foiling an infiltration attempt in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur air base on May 13, 2025, to boost troop morale, signaling resilience. India accused Pakistan of ceasefire violations shortly after a truce was agreed upon on May 11, 2025, and Modi warned of further strikes against terrorist hideouts if provoked. Indian media and officials, including Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, emphasized Operation Sindoor’s success in neutralizing terror networks, downplaying Pakistan’s claims of destruction. The Indian narrative focused on Pakistan’s disinformation campaign, accusing it of spreading fake news to exaggerate its achievements.
Timeline of Operations
- April 22, 2025: Pahalgam terror attack prompts India’s planning for Operation Sindoor.
- May 6-7, 2025: India launches Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan and PoK.
- May 8-9, 2025: Pakistan accuses India of continued strikes; tensions escalate with drone and missile exchanges.
- May 10, 2025: Pakistan launches Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos, targeting Indian military installations.
- May 11, 2025: India and Pakistan agree to a ceasefire, though violations are reported.
- May 12, 2025: Pakistan announces the completion of Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos; India releases satellite images debunking damage claims.
- May 13, 2025: PM Modi visits Adampur air base; ceasefire discussions continue.
Weapons Used in Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos
Pakistan employed a range of advanced weaponry, including:
- Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and drones for precision strikes.
- Long-range munitions and loitering munitions for targeting Indian bases.
- Fighter aircraft, reportedly used to engage Indian air defenses.
- Ballistic missiles, as claimed by Al Jazeera, targeting at least six Indian military sites.
The operation showcased Pakistan’s network-centric warfare capabilities, with real-time coordination between air, land, and naval forces. India countered with its layered air defense systems, including the S-400, intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles.
Pakistan’s Military Power
Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos underscored Pakistan’s military prowess, particularly its ability to execute a rapid, multi-domain response. The ISPR highlighted the operation’s “textbook demonstration” of tri-services integration, leveraging advanced surveillance, drones, and missile technology. Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, though not used, served as a deterrent, as acknowledged in Indian PM Modi’s reference to “nuclear blackmail.” The operation also demonstrated Pakistan’s resilience in countering India’s larger military apparatus, with some X posts praising its strategic intelligence operations. However, the lack of verifiable satellite imagery or independent confirmation of damage limits the assessment of its success.
Indian News Channels and Fake News
Indian media faced accusations of spreading misinformation to downplay Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos’s impact. Pakistan’s ISPR claimed Indian outlets exaggerated Operation Sindoor’s success while dismissing Pakistani strikes. A notable example was an AajTak clip manipulated by Pakistan’s ISPR to suggest Indian panic, later debunked as doctored. Indian officials, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, accused Pakistan of fabricating claims, such as the destruction of Srinagar airbase and the S-400 system. The Indian government released satellite images to counter these narratives, highlighting undamaged infrastructure. The disinformation war intensified public confusion, with both sides leveraging media to shape perceptions.
Conclusion
Operation Bunyan-al-Marsoos was a bold Pakistani response to India’s Operation Sindoor, reflecting deep-seated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. While Pakistan claimed strategic success in disrupting Indian military operations, India’s robust defenses and counter-narratives limited the operation’s tangible impact. The ceasefire on May 11, 2025, mediated partly by U.S. efforts, underscores the need for de-escalation. Both nations’ reliance on media propaganda highlights the modern battlefield’s information dimension. Moving forward, diplomatic channels must prevail to prevent further escalation, with lessons from this conflict shaping future India-Pakistan relations.
