'Can’t Win On Battlefield, You Win...': Pak Army Chief Trolled For Gifting Old Image Of Chinese Military Drill As 'Operation Bunyan' Souvenir To Shehbaz Sharif

Islamabad: In another major embarrassment for Pakistan after its Field Marshal and Army Chief General Asim Munir gifted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a picture of a Chinese military drill claiming it to be of Operation Bunyan al-Marsus against India. According to reports, the image presented by Gen Munir is reported to be an old image which was shared several times over the past few years. The image was first shared in 2019.

The picture is attributed to photographer Huang Hai and is of PHL-03 which is a multiple rocket launcher of Chinese origin, reported India Today. As per the media report, the image was presented to Sharif at a high-profile dinner hosted by the Pakistan Army chief.

For the unversed, in the Indian strikes on the intervening night of May 9 and 10, 11 Pakistan airbases were destroyed inflicting heavy damage. According to reports, aircraft hangers were also destroyed in the Indian strikes.

Netizens are mocking General Munir and Shehbaz Sharif for the old image presented as Operation Bunyan al-Marsus.

Netizens' Reaction:

Some netizens even called the image "photoshopped.

“Pakistan’s latest masterpiece: Shehbaz Sharif presents a photoshopped painting from a 2019 Chinese drill to Failed Marshal Asim Munir. Guess when you can’t win on the battlefield, you win in Canva," an user wrote.

"Field Marshal Asim Munir presented "victory photograph" to honour PM Shehbaz Sharif. The supposed "Op Bunyan-un-Marsoos" image- was Fact-checked as 2019 China image," another user wrote on X.

"The comedian Asim Munir of Pakistan gifting painting of Operation Bunyan Al Marsus to another comedian PM Shahbaz Sharif during a dinner. It’s actually a 2019 photo from a Chinese military exercise. Should we call it a country?" a user wrote on X.

Operation Sindoor:

India launched Operation Isndoor on the intervening night of May 6 and 7 targetting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including one Nepali national.

In response, Pakistan tried to attack Indian civilian and military installations using drones and missiles. However, India's air defence thwarted the attack. On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, India hit 11 Pakistani air bases. Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) then on May 10 contacted his Indian counterpart and requested a ceasefire.

Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025, 12:53 PM IST