Who is the young man seen in the iconic photo shooting down a drone?

The brave young man from Mianwali who took a G-3 rifle from a Rangers officer at the Lahore border and shot down a drone himself has been identified as Muhammad Atif. He became a symbol of national pride after a video capturing his bravery went viral online.

In a new video shared by a social media user, Atif describes the experience from the same location where the drone was shot down: “There was a strong sense of patriotism in that moment. I thought to myself, ‘This drone must have come from India, and it shouldn't go back.’ The Pakistan Army was present at the time, so I asked them for a rifle. I fired seven or eight shots, and on the eighth, the drone was hit and fell to the ground.”

The original footage captures unity and resolve, as a civilian, shoulder-to-shoulder with a Rangers officer, fires to bring down an Indian drone intruding into Pakistani airspace.

The clip gained traction online, with many praising Atif’s calm and steady coordination with Pakistan’s armed forces.

Officials have confirmed that the drones entered Pakistani airspace from India but was intercepted before it could return.

On the night between May 6 and 7, India launched a military operation targeting multiple areas inside Pakistan, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad. These airstrikes resulted in the martyrdom of 31 Pakistani civilians and injuries to 46 others.

The strikes followed the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 Indian tourists were killed. India accused Pakistan of involvement but has yet to provide any supporting evidence.

In retaliation, Pakistan’s armed forces, under Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, targeted 26 locations across India. The military confirmed shooting down six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, during the conflict.

After days of intense military operations and escalating tensions, both countries reached a ceasefire agreement on May 10, bringing an end to the immediate hostilities.