Pakistan Army Admits Role in Kargil War for the First Time

For the first time, the Pakistani Armed Force has publicly acknowledged its involvement in the 1999 Kargil War with India. Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, made this statement during a speech at an event in Rawalpindi marking Pakistan’s Defense Day. This admission is significant since Pakistan had previously denied any official role in the conflict, claiming that the Kargil War was fought by “mujahideen,” or freedom fighters.

Pakistan’s Official Acknowledgement

Speaking at the event, General Munir honored the soldiers who lost their lives in various conflicts with India, specifically mentioning the wars of 1948, 1965, 1971, and the Kargil War of 1999. He stated that many Pakistani soldiers had sacrificed their lives not only for Pakistan but also for their Islamic beliefs. The Army Chief emphasized that their deaths were a mark of pride for the nation, stating that Pakistan’s military had been fighting in various wars over the years.

This marks a departure from Pakistan’s previous position, where the involvement of regular Pakistani soldiers in the Karachi War was consistently denied. Instead, the official narrative claimed that the conflict was led by local militants fighting for the Kashmir cause. However, there had long been evidence to the contrary, with India capturing documents, playbooks, uniforms, and weapons that demonstrated the direct involvement of the Pakistani military.

The Kargil War and its Aftermath

The Kargil War of 1999 was a major conflict fought between India and Pakistan in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani army, under the guise of protection, infiltrated the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC), seizing key strategic positions. However, India responded swiftly, launching a military operation that lasted nearly three months. In the end, India successfully regained control of the areas that had been invaded, including the highly significant Tiger Hill.

India has always maintained that the Kargil operation was part of a larger strategy by Pakistan to assert its claim over Kashmir. The war resulted in the deaths of 545 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Pakistani soldiers, whose bodies were often left unclaimed by the Pakistani Army. Despite this, Indian forces respectfully buried many of these soldiers, some of whom were identified as regular Pakistani military personnel.

International pressure also played a key role in the resolution of the conflict. Then-US President Bill Clinton personally intervened, urging Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to withdraw his forces from Kargil. This intervention, coupled with India’s military success, ultimately led to the withdrawal of Pakistani forces.

A New Chapter in the Kargil Narrative?

The Pakistani Army’s previous refusal to acknowledge its role in Kargil has long been a point of contention between the two countries. India has presented several pieces of evidence indicating the involvement of Pakistani soldiers, and many have criticized Pakistan’s official narrative as misleading. With this recent admission by General Munir, there may be a shift in how Pakistan frames its military history concerning the Kargil War.

India celebrates “Kargil Vijay Diwas” every year on July 26 to honor the bravery and sacrifice of its soldiers who fought in the war. For Pakistan, General Munir’s admission may open up a broader dialogue about the country’s involvement in one of the most significant military conflicts between the two nations in recent history.

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SanchitaNews Writer

Sanchita is currently pursuing her master's in journalism and mass communication. She has already completed a PG diploma in journalism and mass communication from Patna Women's College and her graduation from Berhampur University. With a strong desire to become a journalist, she is focused on learning and enhancing her skills to excel in her chosen career.

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