(VIDEO) AVM Aurangzeb Ahmed: Pakistan’s Calm Commander Who Weaponised the War Briefing

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Aurangzeb Ahmed, the Director General of Public Relations for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), has emerged as an unlikely national icon, captivating the public with his calm, articulate, and commanding presence during daily military briefings at the height of the Pakistan-India conflict.

While Indian traditional and social media users have derided his statements, for millions of Pakistanis tuned in each evening, Aurangzeb has become a figure of unshakable confidence—delivering operational clarity with a statesman’s poise and a combat veteran’s precision.

His ability to deliver sensitive battlefield information in a composed, data-driven manner has resonated strongly with the public, elevating him from a military spokesperson to a celebrated symbol of national strength.

Aurangzeb’s ascent to national prominence came almost overnight, catalyzed by Pakistan’s robust and coordinated response to India’s recent aerial offensive, which included strikes using cruise missiles like the BrahMos and SCALP EG.

His sharp wit, self-assured body language, and fearless commentary quickly made him a media phenomenon, with Pakistani social media erupting in memes, short clips, and adoring commentary praising his “aura” and crisis-time leadership.

One such moment that struck a chord across the nation occurred when Aurangzeb was asked to comment on the effectiveness of the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fighter jets, particularly after three were reportedly shot down by Pakistan’s Chengdu J-10C fighters, operating with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles.

He responded with remarkable restraint:
“It’s not that Rafale is a bad plane. The Rafale is a equally potent, very potent aircraft… if employed well.”

That subtle yet powerful remark was interpreted by military observers and netizens alike as a calculated jab—not at the French-built platform itself, but at the Indian pilots operating it, implying that superior technology is futile without tactical competence.

India’s political and military establishment continues to publicly deny the loss of six fighter aircraft—including three of its most advanced Dassault Rafale jets—reportedly shot down by the Pakistan Air Force in a series of high-stakes aerial engagements over the subcontinent.

When asked to comment directly on the allegations of losing several fighter aircrafts including three French-made Rafales, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, a senior officer within the Indian Air Force, offered a cryptic remark: “We are in a combat scenario and losses are a part of combat,” refusing to elaborate further on the matter.

For many regional defence analysts, Bharti’s carefully worded statement serves as a tacit admission, reinforcing suspicions that India suffered multiple combat losses in a short span of time—despite no formal confirmation from the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, another viral moment came when Aurangzeb, resuming a briefing after a one-day break, opened with a line that instantly became iconic:
“I am the Deputy Chief of Air Staff Operations, I’ll pick up from where I left a day before yesterday. PAF versus Indian Air Force, six-nil.”

The phrase “6-0” referred to Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian Air Force fighters without losing a single aircraft in return—an assertion that electrified Pakistani social media and transformed into a rallying cry of national pride.

Within hours, hashtags such as #PAF6IAF0 began trending across digital platforms, amplifying the perception of Pakistan’s aerial superiority and further cementing Aurangzeb’s reputation as a master of information warfare.

A viral post on X summarized the national mood:
“The entire war and post-war discussion has been completely hijacked by the rizz of this dude Aurangzeb.”

In a separate briefing, Aurangzeb made yet another cutting remark that left the internet buzzing.
While referencing an Indian fighter jet with the callsign “Godzilla,” he quipped:
“As you know, Godzilla got extinct, and this one is extinct as well.”

Analysts and netizens immediately labelled the remark as a masterclass in psychological trolling, weaponizing humour to deliver a stinging critique of India’s aerial losses.

Behind the wit and stage presence, however, lies a career built on decades of operational excellence and strategic depth.

Commissioned into the PAF in 1992 as a General Duty Pilot (GDP), Aurangzeb has held critical field commands, including leadership of a frontline fighter squadron and an operational airbase—roles that demand both precision flying and acute battlefield decision-making.

He has also held top-tier appointments such as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) and Director General of Warfare & Strategy, where he played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s contemporary aerial doctrine, including layered air defence integration and deterrence architecture.

Academically, he brings a wealth of intellectual rigour to his strategic roles, holding a Master’s degree in Military Arts from China and another in National Security & War Studies from Pakistan’s prestigious National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad.

His international portfolio includes commanding PAF’s aeronautical mission in Saudi Arabia, underscoring his capability to function effectively in multinational and coalition environments.

For his outstanding military service, strategic foresight, and operational leadership, AVM Aurangzeb was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)—one of Pakistan’s highest military decorations.

As tensions continue to simmer along the Line of Control and the spectre of escalation remains, Aurangzeb Ahmed has come to personify the intersection of military precision, national morale, and strategic communication.

In a conflict increasingly shaped not just by missile trajectories but by narrative dominance, AVM Aurangzeb’s calm voice, sharp mind, and pointed wit have proven just as decisive as any airstrike.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA