- By Supratik Das
- Mon, 26 May 2025 08:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan's bid to highlight a 'victory' in its so-called military operation against India, Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, has received a huge social backlash. Netizens and defense experts on all platforms have caught out a morphed photo presented at a high-level event as belonging to the operation, now proven to be a four-year-old picture of a Chinese military exercise. This happened at a grand dinner reception organised by Pakistan's newly elected Field Marshal and Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir. Munir, in a seemingly symbolic gesture, gifted a framed painting to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, attributing it as symbolising the success of the operation of the Pakistan Army. Quick-witted social media users, though, soon pointed out that the picture closely resembled publicly available images of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) military exercises in 2019.
This is not the first time Islamabad has been accused of employing deceptive images to display military prowess. Previously, Pakistan's state media and official handles have posted images of combat video game screenshots and historic war documentaries as real-time footage of battlefield victory.
Several users on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram began comparing the “painting” to archived Chinese defense images, exposing the uncanny resemblance to Chinese PHL-03 multiple rocket launcher drills conducted in 2019. One user wrote, “Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif presented Army Chief Asim Munir with a framed photo of a 2019 Chinese military exercise, portraying it as Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India in 2025.” Another post mocked, “Pakistani PM gifted Asim Munir a photoshopped image of a 2019 Chinese military drill claiming it to be ‘OP Bunyan Al Marsus’. Some next-level comedy happens in Pakistan.” The blunder has triggered waves of ridicule, with many users tagging the incident under hashtags like #FakeVictory, #AsimMunir, #OperationSindoor, and #ChinaDrillGate.
Grand 'Victory' Event Ends in Global Mockery
The evening, with senior brass present such as President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, was initially scheduled to pay tribute to the military's services and reflect Pakistan's fortitude during the controversial Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. The operation had been referred to as a counter-attack against India after "Operation Sindoor." But official reports clearly state the Indian military neutralised much of Pakistan's drone and missile capabilities. Indian air defense systems are claimed to have successfully shot down incoming UAVs, causing heavy damage to Pakistani launch points.
The episode has also reopened controversies surrounding General Munir's hasty promotion to the high rank of Field Marshal, the position historically reserved for victors of proven wartime performances. Pakistan suffered huge setbacks during Operation Sindoor, with Indian strikes targeting key terrorist infrastructure, raising serious doubts about Islamabad’s portrayal of the situation. In spite of the criticism, neither Pakistan's military spokesperson nor the Prime Minister's Office has made any statement regarding the viral photo or the authenticity of the so-called "painting."
As the photo of a Chinese drill being touted as a symbol of Pakistan's military prowess remains afloat on the internet, the authenticity of Pakistan's defense narrative is being increasingly put to the test. The incident not only embarrasses the nation on the international stage but also highlights the risks of propaganda-based storytelling in military and foreign affairs.