Pakistan’s large-scale retaliatory military campaign against India, launched on May 10, 2025, was named Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos — a title carrying both symbolic and spiritual weight.
The name, drawn from the Quran, translates to “a solid structure” or “an iron-reinforced wall”, and originates from the final words of Surah As-Saff (61:4):
“Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause as one solid structure (bunyanun marsoos).”
This verse was inscribed above the mihrab of a mosque in Muzaffarabad, which was heavily damaged during an Indian airstrike on the night of May 6–7. According to a report the destruction of the mosque and its Quranic inscription became the emotional and symbolic foundation for Pakistan’s military response.
Moved by the verse’s message of unity and steadfastness, Pakistan’s military leadership chose “Bunyan-un-Marsoos” to name their retaliatory operation. The campaign came in response to what Islamabad described as unprovoked Indian strikes—including missile and drone attacks—on both military targets and civilian infrastructure, including places of worship.
Within 12 hours of the first Fateh missile being launched, India agreed to a ceasefire. The swiftness and impact of the operation, military officials stated, was not just a show of force but a declaration of strategic resolve, unity, and spiritual conviction.
More than just a military codename, Bunyan-un-Marsoos carries ideological resonance. “Bunyan” means foundation or structure, while “Marsoos” means firmly compacted or reinforced—together evoking the image of an unbreakable front. The phrase encapsulates resilience, cohesion, and divine purpose—core elements of Pakistan’s messaging during the conflict.
The name also pays homage to the late Islamic scholar Dr. Israr Ahmed, who frequently described true believers engaged in jihad as a bunyan-un-marsoos—a disciplined, God-favoured force standing firm in the face of adversity.
For Pakistan, the operation is being hailed as both a military and moral victory. By invoking a Quranic verse etched into the ruins of a targeted mosque, the country framed its response not only in strategic terms, but as a powerful symbol of unity, faith, and resistance.
