Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu on Monday visited the residence of martyred Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the air chief paid rich tribute to the martyred officer, who embraced martyrdom during enemy aggression at an operational airbase in the ongoing Battle of Haq.

“Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf’s courage and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty exemplify the highest traditions of the Pakistan Air Force,” said Air Chief Marshal Sidhu. He added that the bravery and selflessness of the martyred personnel would forever be remembered by the nation.

The air chief also offered Fatiha and expressed solidarity with the family, assuring them that the PAF stands firmly with the martyrs' families in this difficult hour.

Following his visit to the martyred officer’s residence, the Air Chief proceeded to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi where he inquired after the health of injured civilians and soldiers who sustained wounds during recent Indian missile and drone attacks.

Praising the unwavering determination and spirit of the injured personnel, the Air Chief commended their courage and resilience, reaffirming that “the defence of Pakistan’s aerial frontiers will be ensured at all costs”.

Tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated significantly in recent months following the Pahalgam incident on April 22, 2025, after which New Delhi accused Islamabad of sponsoring cross-border terrorism—allegations denied by Pakistani authorities.

In the days following the incident, India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, reduced diplomatic ties, and expelled Pakistani nationals, including patients seeking medical treatment. In retaliation, Pakistan termed the suspension of the treaty a “declaration of war”, expelled Indian diplomats, canceled all bilateral trade, and closed its airspace to Indian carriers.

The situation deteriorated further when, on the night of February 6 and 7, Indian missile strikes targeted multiple locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 civilians and injuries to dozens more.

In a swift and calibrated response, the Pakistan Air Force launched ‘Operation Bunyan Un Marsus’—a large-scale counteroffensive targeting key Indian military installations. The PAF reportedly neutralised several Indian assets, including airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, and Adampur, as well as destroying high-value targets such as a BrahMos missile depot and components of the S-400 air defence system.