Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos: A Symbolic Retaliation and Its Significance
بنیان مرصوّص: پاکستان کے فوجی آپریشن کے نام کی حقیقت اور پسِ پردہ وجوہات
Meaning of “Bunyan Ul Marsoos” (بنیان مرصوّص)
In English:
The Arabic term “Bunyan Ul Marsoos” translates to “a solid wall of lead” or “a structure constructed of molten lead.” Derived from the Quran (Surah As-Saff, Verse 4), the phrase symbolizes strength, unity, and impenetrability. The verse describes believers who stand firm in battle like an unbreakable fortress.
In Urdu:
اس کا اردو ترجمہ “سیسہ پلائی ہوئی دیوار” یا “ایک مضبوط اور ناقابلِ شکست فوجی صف” کے معنی رکھتا ہے۔ یہ نام قرآن پاک کی سورۃ الصف کی آیت 4 سے ماخوذ ہے، جس میں اللہ تعالیٰ ان مجاہدین کی تعریف کرتا ہے جو اس کی راہ میں ایک ایسی دیوار کی مانند صف آرا ہوتے ہیں جو کسی بھی حملے کو روکنے کی صلاحیت رکھتی ہو۔
Why Did Pakistan Choose This Name for Its Military Operation?
On May 10, 2025, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos as a retaliatory response to India’s airstrikes. The operation’s name reflects Pakistan’s strategic messaging and religious-political motivations:
1. Symbolizing Unbreakable Defense
The term “wall of lead” underscores Pakistan’s intent to project itself as an impenetrable force against Indian aggression. By invoking Quranic imagery, the military highlighted the unity and resilience of its armed forces, likening their formation to an unyielding structure.
2. Religious and Psychological Warfare
The use of a Quranic verse serves dual purposes:
- Moral Justification: It frames Pakistan’s retaliation as a divinely sanctioned defense, resonating with domestic audiences.
- Psychological Impact: The name aims to demoralize Indian forces by emphasizing Pakistan’s “invincible” stance, countering India’s earlier military actions.
3. Retaliation to Escalating Tensions
The operation followed India’s strikes, which Pakistan claimed targeted civilians and key installations. Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes focused on Indian military sites, framing its actions as a proportional response to “unprovoked aggression.”
4. Countering India’s Narrative
India had accused Pakistan of cross-border terrorism, particularly after recent attacks. By naming its operation after a Quranic verse, Pakistan sought to deflect accusations and position itself as a defender of sovereignty.
Context of the May 10, 2025 Escalation
- India’s Provocations: India’s earlier strikes marked a significant escalation, targeting locations deep inside Pakistani territory.
- Pakistan’s Response: Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos included drone and missile strikes across multiple Indian locations, focusing on military infrastructure while claiming to avoid civilian areas.
- International Reactions: Global powers urged restraint, while Pakistan’s leadership signaled high-stakes preparedness, raising concerns about further escalation.
Conclusion
The name “Bunyan Ul Marsoos” is more than a military codeword—it is a calculated blend of religious symbolism, national pride, and psychological tactics. By anchoring its retaliation in Quranic ethos, Pakistan seeks to galvanize domestic support and challenge India’s narrative. However, the escalation risks further destabilizing South Asia, with both nuclear-armed rivals edging closer to a broader conflict.