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The Pakistani military, long denying its direct role in the 1999 Kargil War, has finally acknowledged its involvement in the conflict. This admission comes from the current army chief, General Asim Munir, who made the statement during an event commemorating Pakistan's 'Defence Day'. He honored the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives in the war, including those who participated in the Kargil conflict.
The Kargil War was a significant event in Indo-Pakistani relations, marked by intense fighting in the mountainous region of Kargil. Initially, Pakistan claimed that the conflict was driven by indigenous Kashmiri rebels fighting against Indian rule. However, the truth was far more complex and involved a direct intervention by the Pakistani military, particularly the Northern Light Infantry, a force trained for high-altitude warfare. These troops were deployed to occupy positions vacated by Indian troops during the winter months, aiming to disrupt Indian supply lines and exert pressure on India to negotiate on Pakistani terms.
India's response to this incursion was swift and decisive. They launched a counter-offensive, deploying infantry backed by artillery and air support. The Indian military successfully regained control of the occupied positions, inflicting heavy losses on the Pakistani forces. The war also drew international condemnation, with calls for Pakistan to withdraw its troops. The Pakistani government, under then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was forced to declare a unilateral ceasefire and later faced a military coup. The conflict, which lasted for several months, resulted in significant casualties on both sides, and thousands of civilians remain displaced in Pakistan to this day.
This admission by the Pakistani military chief marks a significant shift in their narrative regarding the Kargil War. It sheds light on the true nature of the conflict and could potentially have implications for future relations between India and Pakistan. While the war itself is now a part of history, the underlying issues of Kashmir and the complex relationship between the two nuclear-powered nations continue to pose significant challenges for regional stability and peace.