On the sixth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and the Services Chiefs paid tribute to the unwavering courage, professionalism, and sacrifices of Pakistan’s Armed Forces.
In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday, the military leadership reiterated their firm commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while continuing efforts to maintain regional stability.
Launched on February 27, 2019, Operation Swift Retort was Pakistan’s decisive response to India’s violation of its airspace, following heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The military’s swift retaliation not only reinforced Pakistan’s defensive capabilities but also reaffirmed its ability to deter any aggression, the ISPR stated.
The military’s spokesperson underscored that the operation demonstrated the operational readiness of Pakistan’s Armed Forces, ensuring deterrence while maintaining complete dominance during the engagement.
"Pakistan’s Armed Forces remain ever vigilant and fully prepared to counter any threat to the nation, upholding the trust and confidence reposed in them by the people of Pakistan," the statement read.
The ISPR further emphasised that the Armed Forces, with unwavering determination, would continue to defend the motherland while also contributing to regional and global peace initiatives in pursuit of stability and harmony.
How it unfolded
The origins of the 2019 military confrontation between Pakistan and India can be traced back to the February 14, 2019 Pulwama attack, in which over 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers were killed. A suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Indian-occupied Kashmir, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the region.
The incident triggered strong reactions from Indian leadership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing retaliation. "The blood of the people is boiling," Modi declared, adding that those responsible for the attack would face consequences.
Tensions escalated further when, in the early hours of February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets violated Pakistan’s airspace, intruding from the Muzaffarabad sector. The ISPR reported that Pakistani forces immediately scrambled to intercept the aircraft, forcing them to retreat. However, the intruding planes released payloads in Balakot before fleeing.
In response, Pakistan vowed to retaliate, with the military spokesperson warning of a "surprise" for India. A day later, on February 27, 2019, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), demonstrating what officials described as "Pakistan’s right, will, and capability for self-defence."
During the engagement, PAF jets shot down two Indian fighter aircraft, capturing an Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, whose MiG-21 was downed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The captured pilot was later handed back to India as a "gesture of peace" by Pakistan, in an effort to de-escalate tensions.
The swift response, which Pakistan dubbed Operation Swift Retort, was widely seen as a demonstration of the country’s military preparedness and its commitment to protecting its airspace and sovereignty.
