Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a move laden with political and military symbolism, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, attended the funeral of a Pakistani Army Major who was hailed as a national hero in his country for his role in the 2019 capture of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.
The event revisits the intense military standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in February 2019. The situation escalated after India's Balakot airstrike, leading to an aerial engagement over the Line of Control. During this dogfight, Wing Commander Varthaman's jet was shot down, and he was captured by Pakistani forces after ejecting into Pakistan-administered Kashmir. He was later released by Pakistan as a "peace gesture."
The deceased Major was widely lauded by the Pakistani military and public at the time for being instrumental in the ground operation that led to Varthaman's capture. His actions were highlighted as a moment of triumph for Pakistan.
General Munir's high-profile attendance at the funeral is being interpreted as more than a routine tribute. It is seen as a deliberate gesture to honor a soldier celebrated for his actions against India and to reinforce the Pakistan Army's narrative of the 2019 conflict. This act serves to boost the morale of the armed forces and publicly reaffirm the value placed on such actions.
The event underscores the deep-seated and often symbolic nature of the rivalry between India and Pakistan. In the tense geopolitical landscape of South Asia, such actions are closely scrutinized by both nations for their underlying strategic and diplomatic messages.
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