Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has stirred controversy by asserting that the country received “divine help” during its recent military clash with India. Speaking at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad earlier this month, Munir claimed that this divine intervention was evident during the intense fighting that followed India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The speech was broadcast on local television on 22 December 2025, amid ongoing regional tensions and debates over the role of religion in Pakistan’s military strategy.

The conflict Munir referenced began on 7 May 2025, when India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompting a swift Pakistani counter-response. Four days of sharp military exchanges, including airstrikes, artillery duels, and cross-border skirmishes, ended with a de-escalation agreement on 10 May.

Munir framed the clashes as not merely a tactical standoff but a spiritually ordained success, drawing parallels between contemporary Pakistan and the early Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad. He cited Quranic verses to underscore Pakistan’s alleged divine favour and claimed that, among 57 Muslim-majority nations, Pakistan uniquely serves as the “protector of Haramain Sharifain”—the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. “We felt it (divine help),” Munir said, referring to perceived supernatural aid during the engagements. Analysts interpret this as an effort to boost domestic morale and legitimize military actions through religious authority, a recurring theme in Pakistani military discourse.

Munir also addressed threats along Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan, issuing an ultimatum to the Taliban to choose between alliance with Pakistan or support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He alleged that 70% of TTP militants infiltrating Pakistan are Afghan nationals and held Afghanistan accountable for resulting civilian casualties.

Additionally, Munir emphasized that only the state has the authority to declare jihad, warning clerics against issuing independent fatwas. This stance appears aimed at consolidating military and ideological control over religious and militant activities within Pakistan. The speech followed Munir’s recent promotion to Field Marshal—a rare honor symbolizing his preeminence within Pakistan’s military-dominated power structure. The official transcript of his 10 December address has not been released, adding opacity to his statements.

Munir’s claims of divine intervention have drawn criticism in India, where Operation Sindoor is viewed as a precise counter-terror operation that exposed weaknesses in Pakistan’s defenses. Pakistani claims of supernatural assistance contrast with Indian accounts, which reported significant Pakistani losses, including downed aircraft and disrupted launchpads.

Experts see Munir’s rhetoric as part of a broader effort to Islamize Pakistan’s national security narrative, strengthening public support amid economic and internal security challenges. By portraying Pakistan as a divinely ordained protector of Islam’s holiest sites, he reinforces the justification for assertive policies against India and the TTP—a fusion of faith and force reminiscent of past conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars.

Regionally, the speech risks heightening Indo-Pak tensions, even after the May ceasefire. While India emphasizes a zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism, Pakistan relies on asymmetric warfare and religious mobilization. International observers, including the U.S. and China, have remained cautious, wary of triggering a nuclear flashpoint. Domestically, Munir’s remarks reinforce the army’s self-image as the guardian of Islamic destiny, amplified through state media and religious alliances. Critics, however, argue that such militarized theology stifles pluralism and encourages extremism.

Looking ahead, Munir’s statements suggest no immediate easing of Pakistan’s confrontational stance. His warnings to Afghanistan could escalate border tensions, while claims of divine backing against India may embolden hardliners. As 2025 ends, South Asia faces potential instability, with Munir’s promotion and rhetoric positioning him as the architect of Pakistan’s martial-religious strategy. His speech underscores the persistent challenge of religion in Pakistan’s security calculus, where spiritual narratives often overshadow strategic realities, reinforcing India’s need for vigilance against hybrid threats combining terror and propaganda.