Pakistan promotes Army Chief Asim Munir to Field Marshal rank despite country suffering setbacks during Operation Sindoor

ISLAMABAD: In a significant military development, the Pakistani government has promoted Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal—one of the country’s highest military distinctions. The promotion comes amid heightened tensions with India and increased international scrutiny following Pakistan’s setbacks during India’s Operation Sindoor, carried out from May 7 to 10.

General Munir, who had remained notably absent from the public eye during the course of the conflict, is also suspected to have played a key role in the intelligence planning behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The assault, executed by Pakistani militants, resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including a Kerala native and a Nepalese national, marking one of the deadliest recent strikes on civilians.

Official sources report that the Pakistani cabinet has formally approved Munir’s promotion, which comes exactly ten days after the conclusion of the latest Indo-Pak clash.

Munir, who assumed command of the Pakistani Army in 2022 following General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s retirement, becomes only the second officer in Pakistan’s military history to be granted the title of Field Marshal. The first was Ayub Khan, who had self-declared the rank during his military rule.

In contrast, India has awarded the Field Marshal rank to only two officers—Sam Manekshaw and K.M. Cariappa—both revered for their leadership and service.

India responded to the Pahalgam massacre with precision strikes targeting terrorist camps and military installations within Pakistan, underscoring the rising volatility in regional security dynamics.