ISLAMABAD: Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has emerged as one of the most searched figures in Pakistan, following a spike in military tensions with India earlier this month.
According to Google Trends data, searches for “Aurangzeb” surged dramatically on May 12, 2025, peaking at 2:00 AM with the maximum search interest value of 100—the highest level recorded that week. Interest has remained high since, reflecting ongoing public attention.
Aurangzeb Ahmed, who serves as the PAF’s official spokesperson, has struck a chord with the public—particularly younger audiences—for his calm delivery and subtle wit during press briefings.
A clip of the Air Vice Marshal went viral in which he remarked, “I will pick up from where I left, day before yesterday, PAF vs IAF, 6-nil,” referencing Pakistan’s reported downing of five Indian aircraft and a drone. The tally reportedly included three Rafale jets, a Su-30, a MiG-29, and an unmanned aerial vehicle.
These developments came amid escalating hostilities following overnight Indian military strikes on May 6–7, which resulted in civilian casualties in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, its most significant retaliatory military action since the 1971 war.
Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb confirmed that the PAF had carried out the largest coordinated airstrike on Indian Air Force (IAF) airfields since that conflict. He emphasized that the operation was conducted with precision, avoiding civilian targets and aimed squarely at deterring further aggression.
“The mission was executed on our terms, under clear instructions from the leadership,” Aurangzeb stated during a press briefing. “India attempted to create a new normal through escalation. Our swift, coordinated response denied them that.”
He also noted that Pakistani air defense systems had intercepted multiple Indian drones targeting civilian areas, thanks to the country’s advanced radar and jamming technologies.
Meanwhile, online search trends mirrored rising regional tensions. On the Indian side, the term “Ceasefire meaning” topped the charts with over 10 million searches, followed by “Operation Sindoor” and “Mock Drill.”
In Pakistan, popular search queries included “Islamabad Airport,” “JF-17 Thunder,” “DG ISPR,” “Dassault Aviation share price,” and “Shivangi Singh,” a noted Indian fighter pilot.
