- Major Nadeem Baig (R)
Over the last six decades, the Indo-Pak conflict landscape has morphed from classic military engagements to complex, high-velocity, multi-domain confrontations. The transition speaks volumes about the shifting nature of warfare itself—and the ways in which states, particularly Pakistan, have had to adapt their military doctrines to survive and remain strategically relevant. From the thunder of tanks in 1965 to the hum of drones and the silence of cyber intrusions in 2025, each chapter in this evolving story offers lessons—not just for generals in command rooms, but for policymakers, technologists, and citizens alike.
- 1965: When Faith Formed the Frontline
In 1965, Pakistan’s military stood on the strength of the so-called “3 As”: Allah, the Air Force, and Artillery. These were more than just words—they represented a philosophy rooted in faith, aerial superiority, and the concentrated use of firepower. Against a numerically stronger adversary, Pakistan held its ground, driven as much by morale as by munitions. Yet, even in that early success, there were signs of a coming reckoning. The battlefield had begun to change, and so had the tools of war. What held in 1965 would not hold indefinitely.
- Kargil 1999: Tactical Gains, Strategic Losses
The Kargil conflict three decades later brought that reckoning into sharp relief. The initial tactical edge gained by exploiting the terrain was soon blunted by poor strategic cohesion and a lack of sustained political cover. While it showcased boldness and initiative at the tactical level, Kargil also exposed a crucial gap: modern wars are not won by soldiers alone but by systems—of coordination, communication, and doctrine. It was, in hindsight, a painful but necessary wake-up call.
- Marka-e-Haq 2025: A New Kind of War
Fast forward to 2025, and a different kind of war unfolded. Marka-e-Haq—the “Battle of Truth”—ushered in a new era of warfare. Drones darkened the skies, cyberattacks disrupted infrastructure, and digital propaganda shaped public perception even before the first boots hit the ground.
Pakistan’s response reflected a strategic maturity long in the making. Real-time intelligence, joint operations, and an integrated digital warfighting doctrine were not just buzzwords—they were battlefield realities. Faith was still a part of the equation, but it now marched alongside fiber optics, satellites, and autonomous systems.
- The Doctrine of the Future
What has emerged is a modern doctrine rooted in five key principles: speed, adaptability, jointness, strategic pro-action, and technological dominance. Gone are the days when wars were fought on defined frontlines. Today, battles are waged in cyberspace, contested in airwaves, and fought through data before any soldier crosses a border.
Pakistan’s evolution—from the 3 As to a comprehensive multi-domain capability—offers a case study in doctrinal transformation. It also poses a larger question: are South Asia’s security paradigms keeping pace with the threats of tomorrow?
- A Final Word
As the region stands on the cusp of rapid technological and geopolitical shifts, the lessons of Marka-e-Haq must not be lost. Wars of the future will not be won by numbers, nor by nostalgia. They will be won by those who prepare smarter, act faster, and think deeper.
For Pakistan, the journey from 1965 to 2025 has not just been about military readiness—it has been about learning, adapting, and ultimately, surviving in an unforgiving strategic environment.
And for both India and Pakistan, the future may not lie in preparing for the next conflict—but in finding ways to avoid it altogether.