By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) – The Pakistani nation on Wednesday marked the “Defense and Martyrs Day” to pay tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives for the defense of the country.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the country’s capital city Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in all the four provincial capital cities of Pakistan, according to the state-run Radio Pakistan.

Special prayers and recitations from Holy Quran are also being held in mosques across the country for the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the defense of their motherland.

Pakistan marks Sept. 6 every year to remember the sacrifices of armed forces for the defense of the country during the 1965 war with India.

The intense fighting between the two countries took place between August and September, with both sides claiming victory after it ended on Sept. 22 with a UN-sponsored cease-fire.

Pakistan's President Arif Alvi paid tributes to the “martyrs” and said the 1965 war stands out in the country's history as a symbol of unwavering national resolve, preparedness, professionalism, patriotism, and sacrifice.

"On this day, 58 years ago, our Armed Forces and the entire Pakistani nation displayed extraordinary courage and indomitable spirit, and thwarted the evil designs of the enemy," said Alvi in his message.

Reiterating his country's commitment to peace and its policy of peaceful coexistence, the president said: “We are aware of our national as well as international obligations and are playing our part towards world peace under the banner of the United Nations. Our own region is awaiting the resolution of the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which needs the international community’s immediate attention.”

In a separate message, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also paid tribute to all those killed while ensuring the security of the nation.

Kakar also attended the main ceremony held in Islamabad, where he laid a floral wreath at the Pakistan Monument at Shakarparian.

The country’s armed forces also vowed that they remain committed to ensuring the defense of the motherland against all internal and external threats.

"Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to ensuring the defense of motherland against all internal and external threats," said a statement by the Pakistan Army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations.