Air Chief’s resolute wartime command steer Marka-e-Haq to decisive success: Air Marshal (Retd) Asim Suleiman

RAWALPINDI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2026) Air Marshal (Retd) Asim Suleiman on Thursday said Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, remained at the command centre for five consecutive days and nights, directly supervising the execution of Marka-e-Haq 2025, which proved pivotal in securing a decisive operational edge.

"It was his resolute wartime command and leadership skills that steer Marka-e-Haq to decisive success", he said during an exclusive interaction with APP.

He highlighted that the Air Chief not only led from the front but had earlier conceived the idea of modern air combat dynamics, ensured acquisition of critical software and hardware, oversaw their testing, and ultimately guided their successful application during the operation.

He termed the engagement a defining moment in modern air warfare, saying the PAF achieved superiority through integration, speed and precision.

Describing the nature of the battle, he said it was “a rare combat in the skies fought on reach, integration, and decision-making speed. "Distance no longer guarantees survivability in contemporary conflict", he added.

He said the concept of operations, executed under the Air Chief’s direct supervision, was based on synchronised employment of sensors, shooters and command systems, enabling rapid engagement cycles and real-time situational awareness.

Highlighting technological advancements, he said induction of hardware such as J-10C and JF-17- Thunder restored the decisive “first look, first shoot” advantage, while long-range capabilities ensured effective targeting.

“We effectively denied the adversary its first-strike advantage,” he said, adding that modern aerial combat is now defined more by detection and engagement timelines than visual encounters.

The former air marshal said the transformation reflected a clear strategic vision at the top, where advanced systems were inducted, validated and seamlessly integrated before being deployed in live operations.

He underscored the role of layered air defence systems, including HQ-9B, which provided protection against high-end threats, while stand-off and precision strike capabilities allowed engagement without exposing assets to undue risk.

He said the operation’s uniqueness lay in seamless integration across air, ground, cyber, space and unmanned domains, all linked through real-time data connectivity into a unified operational picture.

Describing key features, he said the engagement was conducted at night, remaining beyond visual range (BVR) and involved no border crossing for attack, reflecting evolving dynamics of warfare.

Referring to response time, he said the PAF acted within 5 to 10 minutes after initial strikes, executing decisions as a reflex action and leaving no room for an effective counter-response.

He also highlighted cyber capabilities as a critical force multiplier that disrupted adversary communication and support systems.

He added that pre-emptive planning and forward deployment, personally overseen by the Air Chief, ensured operational readiness even before the first move, enabling swift and effective execution.