Pakistan’s ‘Bunyan-un-Marsoos’ Offensive Fizzles as India Foils Missile-Drone Barrage
New Delhi, May 10, 2025 – In a significant military escalation, Pakistan launched a pre-dawn attack on Saturday, firing a barrage of drones and missiles—including the long-range Fatah-II missile—toward India. However, Indian defense forces successfully intercepted the assault, preventing damage and exposing the gaps in Pakistan’s strategy.
The offensive, dubbed Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, draws its name from a Quranic verse meaning “solid and unshakable structure.” Despite its symbolic strength, the operation fell flat as India’s air defense intercepted the Fatah-II missile in Haryana’s Hisar, thwarting what appeared to be a bid to strike Delhi.
Reports highlight that Pakistan’s adoption of religious symbolism in naming the operation is seen as an attempt to evoke Quranic references to justify its offensive stance. However, analysts criticize the move, noting that the Quranic phrase, which describes unity and resilience, has been misappropriated for an aggressive military action rather than a defensive cause.
India’s response came under Operation Sindoor, characterized by precision strikes that deliberately avoided civilian targets. Indian forces retaliated by targeting key Pakistani air bases, including Noor Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Shorkot). Explosions were reported in Pakistan’s major cities, including Islamabad and Lahore.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s cross-border shelling and drone activity—ongoing since Friday evening—were largely neutralized by India’s robust air defense system. Indian forces also downed two Pakistani fighter jets, adding to the growing list of setbacks for Pakistan.
Top Indian defense sources described Pakistan’s missile launches as a clear escalation, seemingly timed after securing an IMF bailout. The initial drone incursions are believed to have been reconnaissance efforts aimed at testing India’s air defense capabilities.
Despite the heightened conflict, Indian officials reiterated that their military objectives are strictly counter-terrorism, underscoring that civilian populations and installations are not being targeted.