New Delhi: The Pakistan Army released a new song to commemorate six years of Operation Swift Retort as ‘a warning to India’, but Pakistanis aren’t impressed. They said they were bored with such acts of chest thumping and that the Army must stop peddling these messages.
The song, Dushmana Sun, released Tuesday is an apparent call to the Pakistani youth to join the Army, highlighting Operation Swift Retort as a key moment in the country’s defence history.
In the 2019 operation, the Pakistan Air Force claims to have attacked two Indian fighter jets. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani forces, and released later after much international pressure.
The song released by Pakistan’s ISPR uses real footage and has montages of news channels, air force, and a smiling Varthaman holding a cup of tea.
According to an ISPR statement, the song reflects the unwavering commitment of Pakistan’s armed forces to defend the country’s sovereignty.
“The events of 27 February stand as a testament to the professionalism of the military and the resilience of the nation,” it said. The ISPR described the release as a “roar against any adversary” and a warning that Pakistan would respond decisively to any aggression.
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“Someone please show them the Sunday’s match. It’s time to get over tea and start working in other areas as well,” a disgruntled Pakistani wrote, referring to the humiliating loss Pakistan received at the hands of India in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
Others were simply irritated. They are done with these cooked up narratives.
“Plzz India is not our dushman… now we know that this fight is only between politicians not awam… indian and pak army are just selling their chooran which is no more authentic… ab india r pakistan ki awam bewaqoof nai banegi,” Instagram user Uzma wrote.
Some concerned citizens wanted the government and the Army to focus on real issues.
“Pakistan aur hum pakistaniyoo ko khudpe apny kaam pe Amal pe soch pe focus krna chahiye establishment esiiii ki tesiii hai aur ye yaha pe ispr tea fantastic pe atkey huwey hai bhai India ki currency development jakr dekhe afsos hotha hai Pakistanio ko jub khudko iss haal me dekhte ab tho mayus hai sub (Pakistan and we Pakistanis should focus on their own actions. The establishment is in rubble and we are still stuck on tea is fantastic. Brother, I feel sorry when I see India’s currency development. Everyone is disappointed),” another person pointed out.
Others were not so courteous and concerned. One Pakistani simply said: “Border chor ke music band bana lein (Leave the border and start a music band of yours)”.
One Pakistani user was quick to notice how the song also showed Pakistani using laptops and the internet.
He wondered if it was a reference to the Pakistani government’s narrative of calling social media content creators “digital terrorists“.
Responding to it, another person wrote on X, “Why bother with this cringe fest? Nobody is watching this s**t. Stop giving it oxygen and watch it die miserably in a corner of the internet.”
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)