Nation celebrates the second anniversary of Happy Surprise Day India, the downing of two Indian jets on LOC Kashmir by Pakistan Air Force on February 27th 2019.
Citizens including premier Imran Khan and DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar felicitated the nation on the successful response to Indian aggression. Senior politicians and government officials took to Twitter to commemorate the timely and apt response of the Pakistan Air Force and its brave officers.
On 27th Feb, two years ago, the nation came together and showed the world our capability and resolve to defend our sovereignty. I especially salute our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen whose tireless vigil keeps our people safe and defends every inch of our homeland. 🇵🇰
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) February 27, 2021
Two years ago, we showed the world that Pakistan is capable of defending itself against an aggressor many times bigger & with greater resources. We want peace but will not be dictated to. Work collaboratively … Or come have more tea.. Choice is yours #HappySurpriseDayIndia
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) February 27, 2021
On February 26th, 2019, Indian jets had violated the air space of Pakistan and flew till Balakot before PAF jets chasing them out of Pakistan’s airspace. The government of Pakistan and Pakistan Air Force had announced to respond to the Indian aggression with a surprise, exercising their right to defend itself.
Read more: Operation Swift Retort: PAF heroes, Hassan & Noman recall events of 27th Feb
The next day, Pakistan Air Force conducted strikes across the Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace. Since it was not retaliation, Pakistan targeted only non-military targets to avoid human loss and collateral damage in an operation called ‘Operation Swift Retort’. Pakistan Army had caught one Indian soldier, Abhinandan Varthaman, who fell in the territory of Pakistan after Pakistan had shot down their jets. Indian jets had the second time violated the airspace of Pakistan on February 27th upon which they were shot down.
Two heroes of Operation Swift Retort, Wing Commander Noman Ali Khan, and Squadron Leader Hassan Siddique, of PAF, received massive respect and adulation who led the strike against India.
2 years ago, PM Imran Khan warned India “In case of attack, Pakistan will not think about retaliating, it will retaliate”. What PAF did after that will remain an epic memory for both Nations. While we rejoiced the surprise, India learned a lesson for ages. #HappySurpriseDayIndia pic.twitter.com/WwTUluyFy2
— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 27, 2021
Remember Pakistan wants peace with all its neighbors. We have offered dialogue many times. But when lunatics blinded with ego & extreme ideology & a looming election decide to challenge our sovereignty we are united as a nation & we respond with surprises. #27FebDayOfFantasticTea
— Fakhr-e-Alam S.I & S.E (@falamb3) February 27, 2021
Together, the duo sent across a powerful message, saying, “Sleep tight Pakistan, we are awake”, while receiving a standing ovation during a 6th September ceremony of the Defence and Martyrs Day.
The nation had celebrated its first anniversary last year by calling it ‘Happy Surprise Day’ India. Pakistan’s social media flooded with memes and tweets from Pakistani users trolling the Indian government.
Read more: Operation Swift Retort & Operation Bandar: Complete Details of 27 Feb Events
Again, Pakistani social media users are celebrating this year with #HappySurpriseDayIndia and #27FebDayOfFantasticTea, #27thfeb2019 trending atop on Twitter.