After 18 years of its Independence, when Pakistan was already facing a lot of challenges, India provided the country with a challenge stronger than ever before. Luckily for us, Pakistan Army was full of enthusiasm and was able to repel that challenge, with due help from citizens.

6th Sept is regarded as Defence Day in the history of Pakistan: the day when Pakistan Armed forces knocked the enemies out of the country and crushed them with a huge margin.

The war started from the 1st of September, 1965, when 4 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force crossed the boundary and made air strikes in Pakistan. But the brave soldiers of Pakistani Air Force chased them out. After this failure, on 2nd September, both sides flew in to support their ground forces, however no major aerial engagement was observed.

On 6th Sept. 1965 India launched its forces towards Pakistan without any declaration of war or warning and was trying to conquer Lahore, the capital of Punjab from two axis. The Indian Army Chief, Gen. J. N. Chaudhry was so confident of defeating the Pakistani troops guarding the area and capturing Lahore that he announced to all and sundry that he would have a large peg of whisky at the Lahore Gymkhana Club in the evening of the 6th – but he was to be disappointed. Pakistan Army, along with Pakistan Air Force, ambushed India with a heavy loss of lives and arms.

The largest tank battle after the Second World War was held between Pakistan and India on 8th Sept. The Indian Army initiated the war towards Sialkot through air formation and troops on ground and the battle lasted for a few days. It was a hard battle, as forces faced a heavy loss of lives from both sides. 
Pakistani forces took an initiative by pushing back Indian troops and entering in the Indian Territory. They managed to capture 1600 square miles along with Khem Karan and beyond. India captured 400 square miles area of Pakistan.
The war ended on 23rd September, 1965, with the effort of the United Nations and a cease fire agreement was signed at Tashkent.

The pakistani nation strongly supported its Army and stood behind them regardless of internal conflicts, political parties, and sectarian differences. They fully supported and encouraged the Army in the battlefield. Malka e Tarranum Madam Noor Jehan sang memorable motivational war songs on Radio Pakistan, such as "Aey Raah e Haq k Shaheedo,” “Aey Puttar hatan de, etc." to motivate and encourage them in the battlefield.

After the war of 1965, the Pakistani nation emerged with self-confidence and made itself a strong and united nation, and begun to have faith in its army, air force and navy.

In this war, Pakistan bore the loss of around 3,800 soldiers, 200 tanks and 20 aircrafts.

Military Awards Given After the War of 1965

The combatants of 1965 war whose efforts were rewarded with awards, are:

Nishan-e-Haider – The highest rank in Pakistan Army is for their acts of exceptional bravery

Captain Sarwar (Shaheed)

Major Tufail (Shaheed)

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti (Shaheed)

Major Shabbir Sharif (Shaheed)

Major Muhammad Akram (Shaheed)

Sawar Muhammad Hussain (Shaheed)

Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz (Shaheed)

Hawaldar Lalak Jan (Shaheed)

Sitara-e-Jurat

Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui (Shaheed)

Flt Lt Yunus Hussain Shaheed (Shaheed)

Squadron Leader (Now Air Cdr Rtd) M. M. Alam

Hilal-e-Jurat

Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui (Shaheed)

Brigadier Ahsan Rashid Shami Hilal-i-Jurat (Shaheed)

Pakistan commemorates the victory of 1965 on 6th September with great patriotism and dynamism. The celebrations are organized by the Pakistani Army and Air Force where they display tanks, engineering, electrical and mechanical corps, missiles, army aviation helicopters, army medical corps, army air defence signals, to show power and potential to the enemies who always keep an evil eye on our beloved country. Changing of guards takes place at Mazar-e-Quaid and Pakistan Air Force presents Guard of Honor.