Islamabad/New Delhi – Pakistan has incorporated the four-day military conflict with India from May 2025 into its school curriculum, drawing sharp criticism for presenting a version of events that distorts facts and promotes misinformation.
According to media reports, the newly added material in Pakistani school textbooks alleges that India launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan on May 7, 2025, blaming Islamabad for a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The books reportedly claim that India’s allegations were baseless and that the country initiated hostilities without cause.
Pakistani Claims: India Attacked, Pakistan Responded “Heroically”
The textbooks assert that India was the aggressor in the conflict, and that the Pakistani military responded with “bravery and professionalism.” It claims that Pakistan downed four Indian Rafale fighter jets and destroyed multiple Indian air bases.
Additionally, it is claimed that Pakistan launched “Operation Banyan-ul-Marsous” on May 10, during which its air force allegedly destroyed 26 strategic Indian sites, including several airbases. The narrative further states that India, facing heavy losses, was forced to request a ceasefire, which was only accepted by Pakistan after multiple appeals from U.S. President Donald Trump. General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, was reportedly elevated to the rank of Field Marshal in recognition of the military’s performance.
However, the grade level of students being taught this revised syllabus remains unclear.
India’s Response: Clarifies Operation Sindoor, Counters Falsehoods
In contrast to Pakistan’s narrative, Indian officials have strongly refuted the claims and presented their own account of the events. According to Indian sources:
- The conflict was triggered by a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in which 26 civilians were killed. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed terror outfits including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
- In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, conducting precision strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian officials emphasized that no civilian or non-military targets were struck during the operation.
- Despite warnings, Pakistan carried out drone attacks on 29 Indian locations, including civilian areas in Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinagar. In response, India targeted military installations in Lahore, Sialkot, and Islamabad, including the destruction of a HQ-9 air defense system.
- On May 10, amid escalating tensions, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss de-escalation. India maintained it would not accept mediation but agreed to a ceasefire following direct communication between military officials on both sides.
- India further claimed that it successfully intercepted most of Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, and conducted effective counter-operations targeting key Pakistani airbases including Muridke, Noor Khan, Rafiqui, Sargodha, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan.
- Satellite imagery and video evidence were presented by Indian authorities during a press conference on May 12, aimed at exposing what they described as false propaganda by Pakistan. India reiterated that its operations targeted terrorist infrastructure and not civilian populations.
Symbolic Promotion of Pakistan Army Chief
Regarding General Asim Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal, Indian analysts suggest it was more a political and symbolic move than a reflection of actual military success. They argue it was aimed at bolstering the army’s image and consolidating internal power in the face of growing scrutiny.
