Pakistan Names Military Operation ‘Baniyan Marsus’

Pakistan has officially named its ongoing retaliatory military campaign against India as ‘Baniyan Marsus’, a term rooted in Islamic scripture and symbolizing unity and strength.

According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the name is inspired by the Arabic phrase ‘Baniyan-un-Marsus’, which appears in the Quran, specifically in Surah As-Saff (Chapter 61, Verse 4). The verse describes believers as being "like a solid structure joined firmly," often interpreted as "a wall built with molten lead" — representing impenetrable resolve, cohesion, and discipline.

ISPR stated that the name reflects the resilience, coordination, and unshakable resolve of the Pakistani armed forces amid what it describes as external aggression.

The timing of the announcement coincides with India suspending civilian flights at 32 airports until May 15, underscoring the seriousness of the ongoing conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Military analysts believe the use of religious symbolism is intended not only to boost domestic morale but also to send a clear ideological message to regional rivals.

As tensions escalate and both nations exchange accusations and cross-border strikes, the symbolic naming of the operation highlights how deeply intertwined military strategy and ideological narratives have become in South Asia.