The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from all three divisions and ten districts, MUZAFFARABAD / MIRPUR / KOTLI / BAGH / RAWALAKOT /on Thursday joined the nation in observing Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Gratitude) in recognition of the armed forces’ successful culmination of Operation Bunyan-Num-Marsoos, held to reaffirm Pakistan’s sovereignty in the face of regional challenges.
The day was marked with solemnity and patriotic fervour across all ten districts of AJK, where government bodies, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the general public paid tribute to the armed forces for what was described as a "resolute safeguarding of national pride and territorial integrity."
In Muzaffarabad(muzaffarabad division), the capital city, a large gathering was held at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada where senior officials of the AJK government, military representatives, and members of the public laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha for the martyrs. Special prayers were held in Jamia mosques for peace, national unity and continued strength of Pakistan’s defence forces.
Meanwhile, in Mirpur ( Mirpur division) a city known for its strong ties with the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, citizens organised rallies and community gatherings. Participants waved national flags and carried placards bearing messages of solidarity with the armed forces. Speeches delivered at these events highlighted the strategic significance of Operation Bunyan-e-Marsoos and the sacrifices rendered in its success.
Consistently, in Kotli ( mirpur division), educational institutions arranged ,student-led programmes including debates, patriotic performances, and essay writing competitions. Youth speakers underscored the importance of national cohesion and saluted the professionalism and commitment of the Pakistan Army.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Bagh and Rawalakot ( Ponch Division), where cultural activities were held featuring traditional Kashmiri music and folk presentations infused with patriotic themes. Local artists and school children participated in these events that attracted large community attendance, reflecting a profound collective sentiment of respect for the military.
In the remote areas, Valleies of AJK, Neelum Valley, residents offered collective prayers at community centres and mosques. Given their proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) and frequent exposure to cross-border tensions, locals expressed a deeply personal sense of relief and gratitude.
The AJK government had issued directives earlier in the week encouraging district administrations to facilitate and organise events that would mark the day in a dignified and inclusive manner. Flags were hoisted atop government buildings, and banners reading “Bunyan num Marsoos, Pak Fouj Zindabad” adorned major intersections.
"Afraad ke haathon mein hai aqwam ki taqdeer,
Har fard hai millat ke muqaddar ka sitara"
— Allama Iqbal
Meanwhile, strategically, beyond its ceremonial aspects, Youm-e-Tashakur holds significant importance for the Pakistani state. Celebrated in the aftermath of Operation Bunyan num Marsoos, it serves as a psychological and symbolic reaffirmation of national resolve. In a region beset with evolving security threats, hybrid warfare, and persistent cross-border tensions particularly in the sensitive geography of Azad Jammu and Kashmir such commemorations play a crucial role in reinforcing internal cohesion and state legitimacy.
The ISPR in its official statement (PR-34/2024) described Operation Bunyan num Marsoos as “a calibrated response to hybrid threats involving disinformation, espionage, cyber sabotage, and potential cross-border subversion.” Conducted with precision and restraint, the operation reinforced Pakistan’s doctrine of strategic deterrence without escalation.
Public policy analysts at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) observed that Youm-e-Tashakur is not only a commemorative event but a strategic counter-narrative that consolidates internal resilience. It is an expression of Pakistan’s integrated civil-military resolve to protect sovereignty in a multidimensional security environment.
The AJK Ministry of Information, in its regional broadcast, noted that such events “cement civic participation in defence narratives,” particularly in regions vulnerable to foreign propaganda.
Additionally, The strategic timing of Youm-e-Tashakur delivers a powerful diplomatic and psychological message to India and the international community. Following the Pulwama incident in 2019, India persistently blamed Pakistan without substantiated evidence a claim never endorsed by the United Nations, Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (UN CTITF, 2020) nor supported by any international investigative mechanism.
India’s recent posturing around May 10 and its aggressive rhetoric drew criticism for destabilising regional peace. The peaceful and lawful observance of Youm-e-Tashakur across AJK, in stark contrast to the militarised lockdowns and curfews in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), further exposed the moral contrast between the two regions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Pakistan, in its May 2025 press briefing, asserted: “While India changes maps with legislation, we honour the will of the Kashmiri people through solidarity and democratic engagement.” By showcasing peaceful civic-military harmony, Pakistan sends a diplomatic message to the world: it is committed to peace, yet prepared for deterrence. Youm-e-Tashakur is a symbolic form of strategic signalling that the people of AJK are stakeholders in national defence, and the state’s posture is rooted in constitutional order.
National Unity and Public Engagement
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both released statements praising the armed forces’ professionalism and the public’s unity. “This is not just the military’s success; it is a shared national triumph,” said the Prime Minister.
In Rawalakot, student delegations from universities attended civil-military forums organised by National Defence University (NDU) and CGSS, while in Bagh, war veterans addressed local youth on evolving regional security.
Meanwhile, televised discussions on PTV News and panel interviews with experts from Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) highlighted the psychological effects of hybrid warfare and the evolving doctrine of non-kinetic military operations.
Lastly, by observing Youm-e-Tashakur in AJK the epicentre of the South Asian conflict Pakistan asserts not only its defensive capacity but also its moral legitimacy. The message is unambiguous: deterrence is best achieved through internal unity, legal sovereignty, and strategic patience.