Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, the Director General of Public Relations for the Pakistan Air Force, has unexpectedly become a national figure, winning the public’s admiration with his composed, articulate, and authoritative demeanor during military briefings amid the Pakistan-India conflict.
Despite facing criticism from Indian media, millions of Pakistanis have found in Aurangzeb a source of unwavering confidence, as he conveys operational details with the grace of a statesman and the precision of a combat veteran. His skill in presenting sensitive battlefield updates in a calm, fact-based manner has struck a chord with the public, transforming him from a military spokesperson into a revered emblem of national resilience.
His rise to fame was swift, fueled by Pakistan’s strong and unified response to India‘s recent aerial attacks, which involved cruise missile strikes like the BrahMos and SCALP EG. His quick wit, confident body language, and bold insights quickly turned him into a media sensation, with Pakistani social media buzzing with memes, clips, and affectionate remarks celebrating his leadership during crises.
A notable moment that resonated nationwide was when he was asked about the Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets, especially after three were reportedly downed by Pakistan’s Chengdu J-10C fighters equipped with PL-15 missiles. He replied with notable composure: ‘The Rafale is not a bad aircraft. It is indeed a very capable plane… if used effectively.’ This nuanced yet impactful statement was seen by military analysts and online users as a strategic critique—not of the aircraft itself, but of the Indian pilots, suggesting that advanced technology is ineffective without tactical skill.
Pakistan Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed:
Rafale is not a bad plane. It’s a very good plane, only if it’s employed well. pic.twitter.com/7uXoxFWLig
— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 11, 2025
India’s political and military leadership continues to publicly refute claims regarding the loss of six fighter jets, including three advanced Dassault Rafale aircraft, allegedly shot down by the Pakistan Air Force during intense aerial confrontations in the region. When questioned about the reported losses, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, a senior figure in the Indian Air Force, provided a vague response: ‘We are in a combat scenario, and losses are part of combat,’ without offering any further details. This carefully crafted statement has led many regional defense analysts to interpret it as an implicit acknowledgment of India’s potential combat losses, despite the absence of any official confirmation from the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.
In a separate incident, Aurangzeb, resuming a briefing after a brief hiatus, made a memorable remark: ‘I am the Deputy Chief of Air Staff Operations, and I will continue from where I left off two days ago. PAF versus Indian Air Force, six-nil.’ The term ‘6-0’ highlighted Pakistan’s assertion of having downed six Indian Air Force aircraft without sustaining any losses, a claim that resonated powerfully on Pakistani social media and became a symbol of national pride. Within hours, hashtags like #PAF6IAF0 began to trend on various digital platforms, enhancing the perception of Pakistan’s aerial dominance and solidifying Aurangzeb’s status as a skilled practitioner of information warfare.
PAF: the undisputed king of skies! 🦅🇵🇰#ceasefire #Aurangzeb #AurangzebAhmed pic.twitter.com/6uHooJ8WqF
— Rushna Khan (@RushnaZamir25) May 12, 2025
A trending post on X captured the national sentiment: ‘The entire discourse surrounding the war and its aftermath has been entirely overtaken by the charisma of this individual, Aurangzeb.’
In a different briefing, Aurangzeb delivered another sharp comment that sparked considerable online chatter. Referring to an Indian fighter callsign ‘Godzilla,’ he remarked: ‘As you may know, Godzilla became extinct, and this one is also extinct.’ Analysts and social media users quickly deemed this statement a masterclass in psychological trolling, using humor to provide a biting critique of India’s aerial setbacks.
Beneath the humor and charisma, however, lies a career marked by decades of operational excellence and strategic insight. Commissioned into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in 1992 as a General Duty Pilot (GDP), Aurangzeb has held significant field commands, including leading a frontline fighter squadron and managing an operational airbase—positions that require both precise flying and sharp decision-making in combat. He has also served in high-ranking roles such as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) and Director General of Warfare & Strategy, where he was instrumental in developing Pakistan’s modern aerial doctrine, including integrated air defense and deterrence strategies.
Academically, he possesses a strong intellectual foundation for his strategic responsibilities, holding a Master’s degree in Military Arts from China and another in National Security & War Studies from Pakistan’s esteemed National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad.
His international experience includes leading the PAF’s aeronautical mission in Saudi Arabia, highlighting his ability to operate effectively in multinational and coalition settings. For his exemplary military service, strategic vision, and operational leadership, AVM Aurangzeb received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)—one of the highest military honors in Pakistan.
As tensions persist along the Line of Control and the threat of escalation looms, Aurangzeb Ahmed has become a symbol of the convergence of military accuracy, national spirit, and strategic messaging.
In a conflict that is increasingly influenced not only by missile paths but also by the power of narrative, AVM Aurangzeb’s composed demeanor, keen intellect, and incisive humor have demonstrated to be as impactful as any airstrike.
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