ISLAMABAD: Pakistan exhibited on Monday its military prowess and rich cultural heritage at the Pakistan Day parade held here at the new purpose-built venue after a break of seven years.

The parade, held at a time when security forces are engaged in intense counter-terrorism operations in tribal areas and elsewhere in the country, was meant to shed the climate of fear that had gripped the country for close to a decade now.

The parade was one of the many steps taken by the government for reclaiming the psychological advantage enjoyed by terrorists. The event had been cancelled for six consecutive years because of fear of terrorist attacks.

Security was tight and the neighbourhoods surrounding the venue in leafy Shakarparian came to a standstill for about three hours for the event. Cellphone and internet services were suspended and most of Islamabad’s major roads remained blocked for traffic. Hundreds of security and intelligence sleuths kept a hawk’s vigil in and around the parade venue.

President Mamnoon Hussain, who presided over the event, in his address hoped that the unity of nation would defeat the twin menace of extremism and terrorism once and for all.

Echoing what military had been saying all along, the president said: “Operation Zarb-i-Azb would continue till its logical conclusion. I myself would go to the battle fronts and embrace the brave sons of soil gallantly fighting the dark forces of terrorism and extremism.”

Mr Hussain also inspected the parade. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other services chiefs at the podium.

Indigenously developed unmanned aerial vehicles — Burraq, Sentry and Uqab — were among the highlights of the parade

The highlight of this year’s parade was the display of unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the country — Shahpar, Burraq, Sentry and Uqab — particularly the recently tested armed version of Burraq that has been fitted with Barq missile. The event featured a flight display of armed Burraq drone, while other UAVs were carried on long vehicles.

Also participating in the parade for the first time were Pakistan Navy’s hovercrafts, P3C Orion Aircraft and Zolu Niners helicopters; and PAF’s Airborne Surveillance platforms — SAAB 2000 AEW&C aircraft and Karakoram Eagle-3 aircraft.

The military displayed some of the nuclear-capable missiles in its arsenal — short-range ballistic missile Shaheen I, medium-range Shaheen II, cruise missile Babur and battlefield missile Nasr.

Main battle tank Al-Khalid, T-80UT tank and Zarrar tanks were exhibited by the armoured corps. Among the infantry vehicles put on display were armoured personnel carriers of various configurations — Maaz, VCC series and M113P.

The artillery weapon systems shown at the ceremony included M109-A2 23km range guns, M110A2 30km range howitzer guns, SLC-2 radars, multi-barrel rocket launchers and 120km long-range weapon systems.

The Air Defence Division showcased its radars – Sky guard equipped with Orlicon anti-aircraft gun and Giraffe Radar with APC mounted RBS-70 missile system.

The marching columns were drawn from Army’s Infantry, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Mujahid Force, Police (Islamabad Police), Frontier Corps, Rangers and Boy Scouts. Taking part in the march-past for the first time were contingents of lady officers, nursing services and girl guides.

The tri-services band played the military tunes.

Camel-mounted columns of Rangers were also among the many firsts for the March 23 parade.

Flypast by aircraft and helicopters of PAF, Navy and Army and freefall by Special Services Group’s sky divers were the other highlights of the event keenly watched by spectators.

The sky diving teams were Army’s Shahbaz, Navy’s Sea Eagles and PAF’s Shahpar.

FLYPAST: Flying F-16 Block 52 aircraft, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman led the flypast. The air chief’s aircraft was followed by a four-ship box formation of F-16 aircraft, under the command of Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Air Officer Commanding, Central Air Command.

The F-16s were followed by a formation of JF-17 Thunder aircraft led by Wing Commander Noman Khalil. A four-ship formation of F-7PG aircraft led by Wing Commander Sohail Akbar was also part of the flypast. Next to enter the arena were the formations of Mirage and F-7P aircraft under the command of Wing Commander Mushfiq ur Rehman and Wing Commander Asim Zia, respectively.

Besides the fighter aircraft, Airborne Surveillance platforms of the PAF also participated in the flypast for the first time. First, the SAAB 2000 AEW&C aircraft, flown by Wing Commander Syed Inamullah flew past the venue following which Karakoram Eagle-3 AWACS aircraft, flown by Wing Commander Zulfiqar Ali made its maiden public appearance.

The flypast was followed by breathtaking aerobatics of 09 ship formation of ‘Sherdils’, the aerobatics team of Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur. Wing Commander Amjad Mehmood led the Sherdil Formation of the K-8 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft. Spectacular manoeuvres by JF-17 Thunder and F-16 jets kept the spectators mesmerised.

The next to follow were the floats depicting country’s rich cultural diversity.

A team of commentators led by ISPR’s Col Mohammad Shafiq heightened the national fervour at the event as they explained the various segments of the show.

Published in Dawn March 24th , 2015

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